No Fourth of July Fireworks: Why Napa Turned to Drone Lights

By Breanna Brandt and Liz Habkirk, especially for CalMatters

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There is perhaps nothing more American than celebrating the Fourth of July with parades, apple pie and, of course, fireworks. Fourth of July fireworks are a long-standing tradition in communities across the country.

However, many California cities are reevaluating how they celebrate this symbolic day as they consider how to honor traditions while acknowledging the state’s ever-evolving reality.

This weekend, Napa will host for the third time in a row drone show to celebrate the 4th of Julywhich this year marks America’s 250th birthday. As concerns about fireworks grow, especially in fire-prone areas, many communities like Napa are exploring or already implementing solutions that provide a safer, greener alternative to celebrate our holiday traditions — without adverse impacts.

In 2023, the City of Napa began an active public conversation centered around three primary issues: fire and safety risks, impacts on public health and air quality, and noise concerns for pets, wildlife and sensitive groups. After review trends from the country and the worldand careful consideration of safety and environmental factors, the traditional fireworks program organized by the city has come to an end.

The City Council and city staff had to analyze and weigh the impact of many different factors before reaching this decision.

The fire risks for the area have increased significantly and we have experienced numerous large forest fires in the last decade. Although the fireworks are performed by professional vendors, there were fireworks remains found on private property near the former launch site.

Hosting public fireworks has also not been shown to reduce the use of illegal fireworks. Fireworks caused more than $35 million in property damage in California in 2024, sparking about 1,230 fires. according to the governor’s office.

Smoke produced by exploding fireworks also affects air quality. Contains respirable particles that can trigger asthma and affect people with other respiratory conditions.

To create their bright colors, most fireworks contain toxic metals such as strontium, barium, lead, lithium, copper, and sometimes mercury. Limiting even the relatively small impact of a 20-minute fireworks show shows the importance of both small and large actions to improve the environment.

The noise caused by fireworks can cause anxiety and stress, especially for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Animals are often affected by the unpredictable and loud noises during fireworks, creating stressors for pets and wildlife.

Many community members have understandably expressed concern about changing such an important aspect of our traditional celebration. However, the city council eventually made the change to stop the use of fireworks, opting for a safer and more environmentally friendly option.

Napa has switched to drone lights and now boasts the largest Fourth of July drone show in Northern California. Sky Elements produces it. The 15-minute shows feature 400 drones creating a spectacular 3D display. Through the use of music played on local radio and through speakers in designated viewing areas, the shows created memorable moments and helped distinguish Napa as a destination for Fourth of July celebrations. An estimated 24,000 people gather in downtown Napa for the drone launch.

Still, the decision in 2023 was not easy.

In the past two years, several nearby communities have been forced to abruptly cancel fireworks shows due to warmer temperatures, fire danger and difficulties in purchasing pyrotechnics.

Napa, now more than ever, is convinced that the transition to drone technology is the right choice for the community. While we may miss the traditional booms of fireworks, the drone show creates a new kind of magic for residents and visitors to enjoy.

This article was originally published on CalMatters and is republished under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivatives license.