Chapel Hill July 4th Drone Show

Name: Chapel Hill July 4th Drone Show
Start: 2026-07-04
End: 2026-07-04
Location: Chapel Hill High School

July 4, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:45 pm
Chapel Hill High School

Learn More

SATURDAY, JULY 4, 2026 | 7 PM – 9:45 PM
Chapel Hill High School

Update [8:54pm] – Shuttle service has ended for drop off.

Update [8:00pm] – Eubanks Park & Ride Lot is full. At 8:15pm shuttle service will stop at that location. UNC’s RR Lot and Rosemary Parking Deck still available.

This July 4th marks the nation’s 250th anniversary! Chapel Hill is celebrating with a new type of show that reimagines our long-standing community gathering.

Technology meets creativity in this year’s drone show at Chapel Hill High School, presented by Skyworx. At 9:20pm, a collection of 300 synchronized drones will lift off and arrange themselves into shapes and images, using light and color to paint designs across the Chapel Hill sky.

Parking & Travel

No parking at Chapel Hill High School, Smith Middle School, or Seawell Elementary School.

ADA-accessible parking: Chapel Hill High School (first come, first serve starting at 6pm). See our event map to find ADA-accessible parking locations.

Parking options (all free):

Opening at 6pm: Rosemary Parking Deck and UNC’s RR Lot
- Shuttles run 6 – 8:45pm and 9:35 – 10:05pm
Opening at 7:30pm: Eubanks Park & Ride Lot
- Shuttles run 7:30 – 8:45pm and 9:35 – 10:05pm

Parking is first come, first serve until full capacity. There are no shuttles during the show. We encourage you to park early so there’s time to catch a shuttle to Chapel Hill High School and pick a viewing spot before the show starts. Chapel Hill Transit will not operate regular service in observance of the July 4 holiday. Only the shuttle service is available.

Drop offs & rideshares: There’s no designated or safe location for drop off or ride sharing. Event attendees must take the shuttle.

Walking & biking: You may walk or bike to Chapel Hill High School until 8:45pm, when certain areas and trails will be restricted in preparation for the show to begin.

Road closure: The evening of the event, High School Road will be closed to traffic

What to Bring

Encouraged: Plenty of water, picnic supplies, coolers, blankets, and chairs. Seating is not provided, so you must bring your own.

Not allowed: Tents, tailgates, pets, alcohol, glass, combustibles, flammables, fireworks, sparklers, weapons, and smoking

Frequently Asked Questions

Switching to a drone show meets a few key interests:
- It supports the Town of Chapel Hill’s sustainability initiatives, as fireworks aren’t environmentally friendly.
- It creates a quieter, more accessible viewing experience for our community members.
- It is responsive to community feedback we received in a 2024 survey about the event.
The Southern Village location presented some serious safety challenges, particularly around vehicle traffic. Safety is always going to be our top priority, and Chapel Hill High School provides large facilities and a more central location for attendees.

We appreciate our Southern Village community. A decision like this one is never easy, and we’ve enjoyed support from Southern Village and its residents over the years.
The drone show begins at 9:20pm. You must view the drone show from a certain angle to see text and images properly.

Viewing is only permitted within two designated viewing areas at Chapel Hill High School (see map below).

Smith Middle School and Seawell Elementary will be closed. You cannot view the show from either school.

We cannot guarantee visibility from houses located near the show.

Click to view map larger
Yes! Bring some cash to cool down with a sweet treat from our food vendors:
They’ll be onsite starting at 6pm and through the entire drone show.
ADA-Accessible Parking

ADA-accessible parking is at Chapel Hill High School. See our event map to find locations. Parking is first come, first serve starting at 6pm. You will not be able to park before this time. We recommend arriving as close to 6pm at possible to ensure you can find ADA-accessible parking on site. There are about 90 ADA-accessible parking spots at Chapel Hill High School. If these fill, you’ll need to park at either Rosemary Deck, UNC’s RR Lot, or Eubanks Park & Ride.

Viewing

Viewing Area 2, shown on this map, is closest to our ADA-accessible parking. You can also easily view the show from the ADA-accessible parking lots. Please keep in mind that seating is not provided, so you must bring your own chairs.