The Gérardmer fireworks of 14 August 2026 are cancelled. The town announced this on 30 July 2026, citing exceptional drought conditions and a significant increase in fire risk. On 3 August the Société des fêtes cancelled the whole Jonqui fête day as well.
If you were planning to drive up to Gérardmer that evening, there is nothing to see at the lake: no display, no entertainment, no refreshment stands.
Exactly what was cancelled
The municipal calendar listing that announced the 10 pm to 10.30 pm display now reads “Annulation feu d’artifice” on that date. The town’s notice of 30 July explains the decision by public safety and by a refusal to add risk in a sensitive context. It was picked up by France 3 Grand Est.
Four days later, the Société des fêtes cancelled Jonqui fête in full: the free afternoon activities, the evening DJ sets and the seated-ticket sales. Tickets already bought are refunded automatically to the card used.
The town mentioned a possible “end of summer” replacement when it made the announcement. As of 3 August 2026, no replacement date had been confirmed.
Why it was called off
The Vosges moved to the crise drought level across all their river basins, a decision announced on 15 July 2026 and effective on 16 July with the publication of the prefectural orders, until 30 September 2026. That is the highest step of the scale: non-priority water uses are banned or sharply limited. An earlier prefectural order had already banned the transport and use of fireworks and festive fires from 10 July to 1 August, which left several Vosges towns without a Bastille Day display.
The town announced its decision on 30 July. That same day the prefecture extended its order: from 1 August at 8 am to 1 September at 8 am, fireworks displays, pyrotechnic shows, bonfires and camp fires are banned across the department, in public and private open-air spaces alike. The 14 August display was therefore barred in any case. Our guide to forest fire prevention in the Vosges sets out the current restrictions and the habits to adopt.
Do not bring personal pyrotechnics to the lakeshore or into the forest: in this context a private display is both banned and dangerous.
What to do instead on 14 August
The evening is still worth having, simply without a pyrotechnic show. A few options that depend on neither a display nor an organised crowd:
- Stargazing. The night of 12 to 13 August is the Perseid peak, and 14 August remains an excellent observing night. Our stargazing spots in the Vosges list places away from light pollution.
- A lap of the lake on foot or by bike. The Gérardmer lake loop is easy at the end of the day, and the cool of the evening is the best hour during a heatwave.
- An evening in La Bresse. The summer events in La Bresse cover other dates over the same period.
To plan the rest of the day on site, our Gérardmer guide from La Bresse gathers the practical bearings, and the options for places to stay in La Bresse still apply.
If a new date is announced
The end-of-summer replacement mentioned by the town has no date yet. Two channels will settle it: the Gérardmer municipal calendar and the Gérardmer Hautes Vosges tourist office. This page will be updated as soon as an official date is published.
The position on 3 August 2026: the 14 August fireworks and Jonqui fête are cancelled, seated tickets are refunded, and no replacement date has been set.
The 2026 La Bresse guide, ready to download
Access, activities, hikes and useful addresses in one free PDF.
Your details are used only to process this request. Privacy policy (in French).
Free PDF, no newsletter sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
Are the Gérardmer fireworks on 14 August 2026 going ahead?
No. The town announced the cancellation on 30 July 2026 because of drought conditions and fire risk. The municipal calendar now shows “Annulation feu d'artifice” in place of the 14 August listing.
Is Jonqui fête still on without the fireworks?
No. On 3 August 2026 the Société des fêtes cancelled every activity planned for that day, along with seated-ticket sales.
How are seats already paid for refunded?
The Société des fêtes states that refunds are issued automatically to the bank card used for the purchase. Its notice asks buyers to take no action.
Have the fireworks been postponed to September?
The town mentioned a possible end-of-summer replacement when it cancelled, but no date had been confirmed as of 3 August 2026. This page will be updated if one is announced.
Can visitors set off private fireworks by the lake?
No. Since 16 July 2026 every river basin in the department has been at the crise drought level, the highest step, until 30 September 2026, and private displays are ruled out in this context. Check the prefectural order in force before using any pyrotechnics.