Get ready to look up! Phoenix will celebrate Fourth of July with 2 fireworks shows, 1 drone show

Cue the red, white and blue! Phoenix is kicking off its Independence Day celebrations this weekend with After Dark in the Park, the first of three free city events.

After Dark in the Park runs from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday at Deer Valley Park on 19th Avenue south of Beardsley Road. It’s a free event featuring water slides, inflatables, food trucks and a variety of activities. It also offers live entertainment, games and an inflatable fun zone.

While the city’s Parks and Recreation Department hosts two other Independence Day events, After Dark in the Park stands out for its drone light show. Recreation coordinator Noreena Ortega describes it as an innovative way to celebrate the holiday without fireworks.

“This is the second year that we’re actually going to be doing a drone show,” Ortega told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Tuesday.

After Dark in the Park features Phoenix’s only Fourth of July drone show

Last year, the drone show led to a spike in attendance, and she expects this year’s show to be just as popular.

“The event itself normally would bring in anywhere from 3,000 to 5,000 people,” Ortega said. “If I had to guesstimate how many people attended the drone show last year, I’m going to say we probably had about 8,000 people.”

She encourages guests to bring picnic blankets or folding chairs and arrive early to secure the best viewing spots because the event draws large crowds. Last year, the drone light show was so popular that traffic came to a standstill.

“We were at a landlock on 19th Avenue,” Ortega said. “Traffic could not move north or south because it just wasn’t any more room to put cars. So it was very, very well attended last year.”

Not only that, but the community feedback was almost as glowing as the drone light show. People appreciated the quiet, eco-friendly and safe alternative to fireworks.

“With the drones and it being a safe item to put in the sky, we didn’t have complaints of dogs howling. We didn’t have complaints of dogs running away from their yards. We didn’t have complaints of the haze that the fireworks leave after the show was over,” Ortega said. “The community was happy.”

What other free events is Phoenix hosting for Independence Day 2026?

There are two other Phoenix Independence Day celebrations worthy of marking on your calendar. Both are free traditional Fourth of July events with fireworks shows.

The first is Light Up the Sky, which is set for July 3 at American Family Fields of Phoenix near 51st Avenue and Indian School Road. With entertainment, activities and a stadium-seat view of the fireworks show, the event runs from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Then on July 4, Phoenix will host its iconic Fabulous Phoenix 4th at Steele Indian School Park at Central Avenue and Indian School Road.

The grand fireworks show, which is in its 38th year, is one of the best of the Southwest, according to the city. The event runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and includes live performances, food vendors and interactive activities.

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