Planning your 2026 fireworks displays with care and respect
As planning begins for community events in 2026, we wanted to share an important request raised by local veterans and their families.
This year, several veterans told us that fireworks taking place on Remembrance Sunday were particularly difficult for them. For many who have served, Remembrance Sunday is a deeply emotional day, a moment of reflection, remembrance and connection with people they have loved and lost. For those living with PTSD or anxiety, the sudden bangs, flashes and smell of fireworks can trigger painful memories linked to the sights and sounds of conflict.
With Remembrance Sunday 2026 falling on Sunday 8 November, we are asking Town and Parish Councils, community organisers and residents to plan next year’s fireworks displays with care by avoiding Remembrance Sunday where possible.
This simple consideration can make a meaningful difference for many veterans, serving personnel and their families. It shows awareness, compassion and respect for the experiences of those who have given so much for our country.
We fully recognise that fireworks are an important and enjoyable part of community life. We are not asking anyone to cancel celebrations, only to consider holding them on an alternative date so that everyone in our community feels seen, supported and safe.
If you would like to better understand how fireworks can influence those living with PTSD or trauma, the following resources may help:
- Combat Stress – support during fireworks
- PTSD UK – ways to support people with trauma
- BBC News – personal experiences from veterans