New San Diego Council President Wants to End SeaWorld Fireworks

San Diego Council President Joe LaCava said he’d look into how the city could limit fireworks under its lease with the company. 

The most powerful person on San Diego City Council says SeaWorld’s nightly fireworks shows over Mission Bay “should be stopped.”  

SeaWorld San Diego hosts nightly fireworks shows during the summer months as well as during major holidays. The marine theme park faced criticism over its shows in the past, but a spate of bird deaths in Mission Bay following consecutive days of pyrotechnics last Fourth of July reignited calls from bird activists to end the noise.  

“Fireworks, night after night, is something that has to end,” LaCava told Voice of San Diego. “It’s one thing to do Fourth of July or start of the summer season shows, but 150 nights a year is just way beyond.”  

LaCava added that laser or light shows via drone could be a viable substitute.  

LaCava, who represents District 1 and the north shore of Mission Bay, said he’d work with the city’s legal team after the first of the year to see how the city could limit fireworks under its 50-year lease agreement with SeaWorld which sunsets in 2048. 

Two prominent environmental groups put SeaWorld on notice that they intend to file a lawsuit over pollution fireworks shows cause in Mission Bay. Patrick McDonough, an attorney for San Diego Coastkeeper, said he hasn’t heard “a peep” from the company.  

“SeaWorld tested out (drone shows) in the past,” McDonough said.  

SeaWorld replaced some fireworks shows with drone and laser shows between 2017 and 2020, reads Coastkeeper’s complaint letter to SeaWorld. But the nightly fireworks displays in summertime returned.  

Fireworks are the second problem San Diego’s had with SeaWorld in recent months. In December, the company settled a lawsuit brought by the city over an alleged $12.2 million in back rent, late fees and interest.  

SeaWorld San Diego didn’t respond to a request for comment.  

By MacKenzie Elmer | January 7, 2025 | Voice of San Diego

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