Flagstaff Business News
Northern Arizona’s premier source for business, education and health news.
By Leave a Comment
This is the second time Flagstaff has turned to an awe-inspiring lighted drone show.
Flagstaff residents and visitors will be treated to dazzling patriotic displays of lights provided by drones in Foxglenn Park to celebrate July 4th this year, which is the nation’s 250th celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
This is the second time Flagstaff has turned to an awe-inspiring lighted drone show.
This is the second time Flagstaff has turned to an awe-inspiring lighted drone show. Following the success of last year’s event, the 2026 show is moving to a new venue in east Flagstaff – Foxglenn Park, 4200 East Butler Avenue.
If you plan to enjoy the drone show, you should attend the event in-person at the park. Unlike traditional fireworks which are viewable for miles, drone shows are engineered for a much smaller viewing area. The show can only be viewed from Foxglenn Park.
Activities are free and begin at 4 p.m. with music by DJ Quick Kay followed by The Coveralls. The event will have face painting, balloon artists, inflatable bounce houses, yard games, food trucks and, of course, the drones launching shortly after 9 p.m.
Guests are welcome to walk or bike to the event. Onsite paid parking will be limited to those who have pre-reserved spaces.
Mountain Line will provide a free park-and-ride service from Flagstaff Mall and Northern Arizona University starting at 4 p.m. The park-and-ride will pick up and drop off at the P62 lot at NAU, which is at the corner of East Pine Knoll Drive and West McConnell Drive on the South Campus.
Busses will run every 20 minutes to Foxglenn Park until 8 p.m., and resume following the drone show at 9:30 p.m. to return people to their vehicles. Bus riders are asked to only bring belongings that fit on their lap such as low-profile chairs, picnic blankets, water and sunscreen. Large, rolling coolers and shade canopies are prohibited.
A limited number of pre-reserved parking at Sinagua Middle School is available for purchase prior to July 1 for $5. Vehicles must fit into a single space, so no oversize vehicles or trailers. Parking permits are available online at: https://www.prose.flagstaffaz.gov/flagstaff/programs.
People with a valid Motor Vehicle Department ADA license plate or placard may reserve a free ADA space at Sinagua Middle School visiting online at: https://www.prose.flagstaffaz.gov/flagstaff/programs. Onsite parking, the paid pre-reserved parking at Sinagua Middle School and free ADA parking must be reserved in advance. Parking reservations will not be available to purchase or reserve the day of the event.
In years past, the City of Flagstaff has presented patriotic shows using alternatives to fireworks recognizing potential drought and changing weather conditions. Lighted drones present a relatively new, high-tech twist to a cherished Independence Day tradition, and they also present significantly lower risk of wildfire. Multiple times in the past, July 4 firework shows have been canceled in Flagstaff because of weather conditions that increased the risk of wildfire.
As a reminder, smoking and the use of electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all public areas in the city. It is essential to be familiar with the city’s fire restrictions below and at discoverflagstaff.com. FBN
By Ryan Randazzo
Ryan Randazzo is the Discover Flagstaff media relations and marketing project manager and Flagstaff film commissioner.
Filed Under: Columnists
Your email address will not be published.