Thursday Night Fireworks in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, to Start Earlier

For so many that live throughout New England, an annual trip to Old Orchard Beach, Maine, is a summer rite-of-passage.

Old Orchard Beach offers families a lot to see and do, from a waterfront amusement park to a sprawling beach. It also has dozens of restaurants and shops to visit and enjoy.

Another longtime draw for families has been the weekly fireworks show. Thursday nights in OOB have been an event for a long time. A chance to make it feel like a holiday weekend on a random Thursday in the summer.

Safety Concerns Nearly Caused The Cancellation of Fireworks in Old Orchard Beach, Maine

According to Saco Bay News, the weekly summer tradition of Thursday night fireworks nearly came to an end last week.

Police laid out several instances of civil disturbance during Thursday night fireworks shows including a recent incident where a group of young people attacked officers.

While Thursday night fireworks shows continue to draw families, it has also become a draw for people in the mid-to-late teens and early-20's. Not for the show but instead to cause chaos.

The police suggested that Thursday night fireworks be canceled completely based on multiple incidents.

Instead, a compromise was struck.

Thursday Night Fireworks in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, to Start Earlier

Typically, the Thursday night fireworks show in Old Orchard Beach, Maine, starts at 9:45pm.

Under a new agreement with law enforcement, the start time of the fireworks show will now be 9pm through the entire 2026 season.

That will begin on Thursday, July 9.

Ray Hennessy / Unsplash

If the earlier start time does not relieve the civil disturbances and public threat, the entire weekly show could be under review again in the future.