Lincoln City Drone Show For 4th of July

Lincoln City is leading the way to a more environmentally friendly Independence Day celebration. Instead of fireworks, the city will be staging an innovative drone show. The change from traditional fireworks is in response to growing community concerns about the environmental and wildlife impacts, public safety issues, and wildfire risks.

Explore Lincoln City announced they are excited to be addressing these concerns while offering an exciting new celebration format for aerial entertainment. "By embracing this new technology, we’ll be protecting Siletz Bay, Salishan Spit, the Wildlife Refuge and the Taft District from harmful chemicals and debris while supporting law enforcement's fireworks regulations, reducing fire risk during Oregon's dry season, and creating a more inclusive celebration that's easier on veterans, pets, and wildlife."

Even though Lincoln City’s past fireworks shows operated in accordance with fireworks regulations, they still release plastic, gun powder, heavy metals like lead, copper, cadmium, titanium, and aluminum, and toxic chemicals into Siletz Bay, the Wildlife Refuge, the Taft District and Salishan Spit. These contaminants impact air quality, wildlife, waterways, soil and human health. Simultaneously, there’s growing concern among City councilors, staff and citizens about the impact that fireworks have on public safety and law enforcement.

While professional shows are allowed within fireworks regulations, police have stated that City-sponsored fireworks make it more difficult to justify and enforce the ​fireworks bans for the general public. Sponsoring fireworks is counterproductive to the City's efforts to educate against the use of personal fireworks. In addition, Salishan Spit, the traditional fireworks launch site, is an exceptionally sensitive area. The spit is vulnerable to erosion and the show has negative impacts on wildlife in that area.

The drone show Lincoln City has planned for this year is a choreographed display of 200 drones, each fitted with brilliant LED lights that create stunning, precise formations, shapes and animations in the night sky, synchronized to music. These shows serve as a contemporary alternative to traditional fireworks displays, offering a unique, customizable, and eco-friendly form of entertainment.

A mesmerizing 15-minute display will combine music and lights, creating magical formations against the night sky. The show is highly visible and offers excellent viewing opportunities. A drone show offers a new kind of visual entertainment in the night sky. While fireworks create bright bursts and loud booms, a drone show features illuminated drones moving in formation to music, creating shapes, animations and stories in the sky. This sophisticated use of technology enables show producers to form recognizable images and symbols for a unique and memorable experience.

While quieter than traditional fireworks, drone shows deliver visual excitement through choreographed movement, color changes and dynamic patterns. Best of all, when the show ends, there’s no debris, smoke or toxic chemical residue on beaches or in the community.

This eco-friendly Drone Show eliminates chemical pollutants and debris, reduces fire risk, creates less disturbance for veterans and pets, and protects our local wildlife while maintaining the festive spirit of Independence Day.

Festivities start in the Taft District of Lincoln City with live music beginning in the afternoon. Finish up your holiday with the spectacular drone display over Siletz Bay at dusk, approximately 10:00-10:30 pm.

Live Music Schedule

Join us for this year's lineup of live music at the Taft Pavilion (west end of SW 51st Street). The music starts at 12:00 pm and goes right up until the drone show begins at dark. Family friendly and it's FREE.

12:00 - 2:00 PM—Hecktic Week 2:45 - 4:30 PM—Mariachi Cuervo Band 5:30 - 7:45 PM—Huckle Buck Highway.

Parking is permitted in the public parking areas throughout the Taft District. Park at Taft High School starting at 3:00pm. Shuttle service to make rounds from Taft High School to Taft Park area until 1:00am. This area of Lincoln City becomes very busy during this event. Please be patient, exercise caution, and plan ahead.