Michigan Fireworks Rules Explained For Memorial Day Weekend

Kick off the extended Memorial Day weekend with a bang!

Before your neighborhood Facebook group starts asking “Did anyone else hear that loud boom?” here’s your reminder that fireworks are completely legal across Michigan during Memorial Day weekend.

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I'll admit, it happens to me every year. Well, really every holiday other than the Fourth of July. I’m sitting at home enjoying the long holiday weekend with my partner, maybe a couple cocktails, when suddenly I hear those loud pops and bangs that immediately raise a red flag.

I mean, you can never be too cautious these days!

It takes me about half a second after my heart nearly stops to remember it’s probably just people celebrating the unofficial kickoff to summer-- something they're legally allowed to do.

The City of Portage Department of Public Safety shared the following reminder on social media this week:

Please remember that the State of Michigan allows for the use of consumer fireworks or private use fireworks for Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23, and Sunday, May 24, from 11 AM to 11:45 PM. Lighting fireworks on Memorial Day (Monday, May 25) is NOT ALLOWED. Make sure to be respectful of others, and have a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Actually, maybe it will be relatively quiet this year. With high gas and grocery prices, who can afford to essentially let their hard-earned money go up in smoke?

While local fireworks ordinances take precedence, here's when the State of Michigan says you can light off your fireworks:

• Memorial Day: 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Memorial Day.
• 4th of July: 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. June 29 to July 4 and/or 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday.
• Labor Day: 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding Labor Day
• New Years Eve/Day: 11 a.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.