Diwali Fireworks in New Brunswick 2026: Fire Prevention Act and City Bans

Diwali fireworks laws Canada › New Brunswick

Legal information last verified: 25 October 2026. Partly verified: the rules below are from official sources, but some points still need official confirmation (see "What we could not verify").

Quick answer: Diwali fireworks in New Brunswick

• New Brunswick's Fire Prevention Act says no person shall sell, keep for sale, give, buy or set off fireworks except as provided in the Act. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• Public displays are allowed with the written permission of the fire marshal or the local fire chief. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• The fire marshal and police may seize fireworks sold, bought or set off in breach of the Act. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John do not allow private fireworks without a permit or written permission.

What the New Brunswick Act says

The Fire Prevention Act sets a general prohibition on selling, giving, buying and setting off fireworks, then allows public displays held with the written permission of the fire marshal or the chief of the local fire department. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)

The Act also lets the government make regulations defining "low hazard fireworks", their sale and vendor licences. We could not find the regulation itself, so we cannot say what consumer use, if any, it allows. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)

Because the provincial position for backyard consumer fireworks is unclear, the safest assumption for Diwali is that you need permission from your city fire department.

City rules in Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John

Fredericton says home fireworks displays are not permitted, and permits go only to displays run by certified supervisors. Read the Fredericton guide.

Saint John prohibits sale and discharge under By-law C-7 except by Fire Chief permit. Read the Saint John guide.

Moncton says fireworks are not permitted within City limits unless the Fire Chief grants written permission. City of Moncton - Fire Permit (incl. 'Do I need a permit for...

What the official sources say about New Brunswick

Each point below is taken from the official source linked after it. Read the source itself before you rely on it.

• General prohibition: no one may sell, keep for sale, give, buy or set off fireworks except as provided in the Act. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• Public displays allowed with written permission of the fire marshal or the local government's fire chief. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• Fire marshal and police may seize fireworks sold, bought or set off in contravention of the Act. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)
• The Act authorizes regulations defining 'low hazard fireworks', conditions for their sale, and vendor licences. Fire Prevention Act, RSNB 1973, c. F-13 (laws.gnb.ca PDF)

Diwali 2026 dates and the fireworks rules

HinduTone's Drik Panchang-aligned Canada calendar lists Diwali (Lakshmi Puja) as Sunday 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November and Bhai Dooj on Tuesday 10 November. Where a city bylaw names Diwali, the city itself publishes or confirms the date, so check the city page before you rely on our calendar.

None of the New Brunswick cities we checked gives Diwali its own fireworks day, so plan any display with the fire department well ahead of 8 November.

Key rules in New Brunswick at a glance

New Brunswick cities we checked

Cities with their own HinduTone guide are linked.

What we could not verify

These points are still open. Do not treat them as settled until the official authority confirms them:

• Whether a current regulation allows retail sale and use of low hazard (consumer) fireworks in New Brunswick, and on what terms.
• How far municipalities regulate consumer fireworks under provincial law.

Diwali fireworks safety tips for New Brunswick

• Check for a fire ban or dry-weather warning on the day. A ban can be announced at short notice and overrides the normal rules.
• Read the label before dark. The product category and the safety distance printed on it are the legal and practical limits for your garden or yard.
• Buy only from a licensed or registered seller in the jurisdiction where you will use the fireworks, and keep the packaging so the product category and instructions stay with it.
• Never go back to a firework that has failed to go off. Leave it well alone, then soak it in water once it is safe to approach.
• Choose one sober adult to light everything. Light at arm's length, step back at once, and never lean over a firework.

Lawful ways to celebrate Diwali without fireworks

• Clay diyas: a row of oil lamps at the door and windows is the heart of Deepavali and needs no permit. Stand each one on a metal plate or a tray of sand.
• LED diyas and string lights: battery diyas are safe for balconies, dormitories, rented flats and anywhere open flames are restricted.
• Rangoli: a coloured-powder, rice-flour or flower rangoli at the entrance welcomes Lakshmi and gives children a creative part in the festival.
• Temple and community celebrations: most Hindu temples and community associations hold Lakshmi Puja, aarti and cultural programmes during Diwali week; check their own website or notice board for the 2026 schedule.
• Authorised public displays: a professional display run under a permit or licence gives the family a fireworks moment without the legal risk.
• Lakshmi Puja at home: the evening puja, aarti, sweets shared with neighbours and a family meal are what most people remember about Diwali.

Who to contact

For the current rules, contact New Brunswick Office of the Fire Marshal: official page. For an emergency, call your local emergency number.

Frequently asked questions

Are fireworks legal on Diwali in New Brunswick?

Not without permission in the cities we checked. The Fire Prevention Act prohibits selling, buying and setting off fireworks except as it provides, and Fredericton, Moncton and Saint John require a permit or the Fire Chief's written permission.

Who can approve a Diwali fireworks display in New Brunswick?

The Act allows public displays with the written permission of the fire marshal or the chief of the local fire department.

Can police seize fireworks in New Brunswick?

Yes. The fire marshal and police may seize fireworks that are sold, bought or set off in breach of the Act.

Can I set off fireworks at home in Fredericton on Diwali?

No. Fredericton says home fireworks displays are not permitted in the city.

Important

This page is general information, not legal advice; local rules and temporary fire bans can change. Always check with the official authority for your exact address before buying or using fireworks.

Editor's note (25 October 2026): HinduTone checked the New Brunswick rules on this page against the official sources linked above. We review this guide every year before Diwali; the next scheduled review is 15 September 2027. If you are an official and see an error, please contact us so we can correct it.

Related guides

• Diwali fireworks laws in Canada
• Fredericton fireworks rules
• Diwali fireworks rules in Nova Scotia
• Diwali fireworks rules in PEI
• Diwali 2026 dates in Canada