Even the cheap p&s cameras have night portrait, night scenery and fireworks scene modes. What you need is a way to keep the camera steady, since those kinds of shots use slow shutter speeds. A regular tripod works. You can buy a small tripod or something called gorillapod which works. You can fit the gorillapod in your pocket. In a pinch you can even rest your camera on a trash can. Using the self timer and you won't be touching the camera when the picture is being taken.