Fireworks events
Fireworks events can take place throughout the year but in the autumn and winter months there are annual celebrations which often feature fireworks displays, such as Halloween, Diwali, Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve. Lots of autistic people enjoy fireworks but for others they can be stressful and overwhelming.
On this page, you can read autistic young people’s top tips for hosting an inclusive fireworks celebration and discover insights about how they experience fireworks events.
Top tips for hosting an inclusive celebration
Host a smaller celebration
Lots of autistic people say they find big crowds of people very intense, so consider inviting a smaller number of people to your event. You could also let your guests know how many people will attend your celebration and who the other guests are.
Source quieter fireworks
Fireworks are well-known for being loud and noisy, which can be too much for some people. But there are ways to manage this. You can buy low noise fireworks from certain retailers. These are fireworks that have been specially designed to be quieter when they go off.
If you can’t find quiet fireworks, you can offer your guests ear defenders, ear plugs or noise cancelling headphones instead.
Provide timetables and guides in advance
It might be helpful to put together a timetable of the evening’s events so your guests will know what to expect when they arrive.
This pre-event preparation could also include a fireworks guide, detailing when the display will start, what order you’ll set different fireworks off in, and how they’ll look and sound when they’re lit. This can help reduce anxiety about the unknown.
Put safety precautions in place and make your guests aware of them
Safety precautions are a must when you’re setting off fireworks or lighting a bonfire. Knowing in detail the safety measures you’ve put in place will help to lessen anxiety for some autistic people. Please share your plans in advance or when your guests arrive.
Provide a quiet area
Before the start of your event, create a quiet space inside. If you’re outside, you could designate an area that’s away from where the evening’s activities will take place. Make it comfortable with blankets and pillows and provide fidgets or sensory toys.
Let your autistic guests know about this space when they arrive so they can use it if they start to feel overwhelmed, or just need a break.
Ditch firework displays
If you have guests attending your event who find fireworks displays challenging, why not do something different? You could try watching a live display on TV, or clips of fireworks on YouTube. Alternatively, you could have fun with just sparklers outside or organise a BBQ.
Consider all your guests
Everybody is different. Some people love big gatherings and noisy environments, but others find these situations daunting – this applies to everyone, not just autistic people. Making small changes to suit different needs ensures that everyone is included and hopefully means all your guests will have a great time.
What it’s like to experience fireworks events as an autistic person
Sensory experiences
"The loud bangs of the fireworks make me overstimulated and there are lots of uncomfortable smells that can be physically painful." Lois
"They can be a bit loud at times, but I still enjoy watching them." Talia
"I love the way fireworks look, and I quite like the smell of bonfire too." Georgia
Safety
"I know it’s irrational if I’m not near fireworks being set off, but I worry about their ashes falling and burning me." Rain
"I get scared of being out late at night in the dark." Lois
Crowds
"Even though I have good memories of Bonfire Night and New Year’s Eve, I find these events quite difficult to attend, as they take place at night and are very crowded and noisy." Chloe
"I'm not too affected by the sound of the fireworks, but the events I have attended have all been busy and the noise of lots of people can be too loud for me." Oli
"I enjoy fireworks displays in the garden with my family – this means I can avoid the crowds which makes the experience less overwhelming." Matthew