The night sky on July 4 in Chapel Hill is set to be filled with lights and action — just with a different source of entertainment than before.

The Town of Chapel Hill’s Community Arts and Culture Department announced its summer programming schedule on Thursday, which included the Fourth of July plans to hold a drone show instead of the traditional fireworks display.

The local government said the event will feature “a collection of 300 synchronized drones” by the company Skyworx, which has put on shows in cities across the U.S. — including Charlotte, N.C. — and worked with customers like the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, several professional sports teams, and some of the top entertainment companies (Netflix, Apple Studios, and NBC’s Peacock). The switch is in part due to community feedback shared in a 2024 survey about the town’s annual Fourth of July celebration and to better support Chapel Hill’s sustainability and inclusivity initiatives.

“Fireworks, as we all know, are not incredibly environmentally friendly,” Chapel Hill Mayor Jess Anderson told 97.9 The Hill. “They also can be scary for those who don’t enjoy explosions, including plenty of humans and lots of animals. It’s going to be a way to reduce air pollution and chemical runoff that occur, and maybe create a more inclusive experience.

“It’ll be cool to hear from people once they see it, [to learn] what they think,” she added. “I’m sure it’ll evolve over time — but I think it’s a good idea and I hope that people really enjoy it and it becomes something that even more people can take part in.”

The changes for the annual event also include a change of location. After holding its fireworks display in Southern Village since 2019, the town is moving the display to Chapel Hill High School off Seawell School Road. The Community Arts and Culture Department shared its gratitude to the Southern Village community for hosting five shows, but said the new location should provide some necessary safety improvements.

“The Southern Village location presented some serious safety challenges, particularly around vehicle traffic,” read the town’s event page. “Safety is always going to be our top priority, and Chapel Hill High School provides large facilities and a more central location for attendees.”

An example of Skyworx’s drone formations during Fourth of July shows. (Photo via Skyworx Drone Shows.)

Few details about the viewing location on the school campus or parking and shuttle options are available as of Thursday, with the Fourth of July event page saying more will be shared closer to the event.

Before July, the Chapel Hill Community Arts and Culture Department will oversee several other community-wide events — like the return of its Movies Under the Stars series, which will begin with screening of “The Sandlot” on Friday, Apr. 10. The department has also set the date and times for its annual Chapel Hill-Carrboro Pride Promenade downtown: Saturday, June 6 from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Featured photo via Skyworx Drone Shows.

Chapelboro.com does not charge subscription fees, and you can directly support our efforts in local journalism here. Want more of what you see on Chapelboro? Let us bring free local news and community information to you by signing up for our newsletter.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill: Fourth of July, Aura and Meetings Galore
Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger joins 97.9 The Hill's Brighton McConnell to share some breaking news about the town's upcoming holiday plans. Fourth of July fireworks will once again be held at Southern Community Park! Plus: Hemminger shares her thoughts on last night's Aura development vote and upcoming Juneteenth celebrations.
Talking Books: Books and Booms!
This week, Susan joins AJ, filling in for Aaron Keck, to talk about Chapel Hill's July 4th fireworks extravaganza, supplying some great logistical information for the evening, and talks July 4th inspired books!
Orange County Governments Announce Service Schedules for Fourth of July Holiday
For the first time in two years, Orange County is seeing in-person celebrations and events for the Fourth of July holiday. Residents can expect to see gatherings for community readings, food festivals and fireworks displays on Sunday, but the local governments are also recognizing the holiday on Monday, July 5. This weekend and to start […]
Chapel Hill Announces Fourth of July Fireworks Plans at Southern Village
The Town of Chapel Hill announced Thursday it will hold a fireworks display for the Fourth of July holiday this summer. Most town events in the last 18 months were canceled to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and follow public health measures. That means the community did not see events like last year’s Fourth of […]
Town Governments Share Fourth of July Closures, Virtual Events
This year’s Fourth of July is different from most. Not only has the coronavirus pandemic caused many celebrations to be canceled, but local governments will still observe the holiday on weekdays — despite it falling on a Saturday. Here is a list of what closures and town services will be affected by the Fourth of […]
Town of Chapel Hill Cancels Fourth of July Celebration, Other Summer Programs
The Town of Chapel Hill has canceled in-person summer programs and events in efforts to protect public health amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In a release shared on Friday afternoon, the town said among the cancellations are the Fourth of July fireworks display and community celebration, in-person summer camps, public library programs and its Movies Under […]
Fourth of July Events and Celebrations in Orange and Chatham Counties
The Fourth of July weekend is creeping up on us fast. Start making plans now to light up your Independence Day weekend! We’ve hand-picked 11 events and celebrations you are guaranteed to enjoy. Fireworks show at Kenan Auditorium According to Travel & Leisure magazine, Chapel Hill is ranked as one of “America’s Top 10 Best […]
Orange County Clerk of Court Mark Kleinschmidt Wins State, National Honors
Orange County Clerk of Superior Court Mark Kleinschmidt has been recognized with two awards – one statewide and one national – in recognition of his service. Kleinschmidt received the North Carolina Guardianship Association’s Trailblazer Award last week in Asheville, recognizing his two terms as Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge. In legal terms, guardianship […]
Chapel Hill Attempted Murder Investigation Leads to Arrest in Chatham County
Two weeks after a shooting injured one person outside a Chapel Hill apartment complex, local authorities say the suspect has been detained and charged. A release from the Chapel Hill Police Department confirmed the arrest of 22-year-old Jose Luis Enamorado Flores of Chatham County, saying he faces 21 different charges stemming from the Apr. 4 […]
Climate Action, A New Hotel and Downsizing Council? Highlights from Chapel Hill Town Council's Apr. 15 Meeting
The Chapel Hill Town Council held its first official business meeting of the month on Wednesday, Apr. 15 to cover a full agenda — which included discussing affordable housing funding, ongoing climate action efforts, parking incentives for a hotel project, and more.
›