The Largest Fourth of July Celebration in the Country
On July 4th, 2025, Sky Elements produced a 400-drone show for Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th - one of the largest Independence Day events in the U.S. The drone show was followed by the city’s world-class fireworks display, choreographed to a live performance by the Grammy-winning Nashville Symphony.
This was the second year drones have been part of Nashville’s Fourth of July celebration, and once again it was the most visible July 4th show nationwide. Flying up to 700 feet under a special FAA waiver, the performance honored American military heroes with patriotic imagery choreographed to live music.
Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp set out with ambitious goals for its annual Fourth of July celebration, aiming to reinforce Nashville’s standing as the nation’s premier Independence Day destination. The city wanted to provide a free, family-friendly event that not only delivered a memorable experience for locals and visitors but also boosted tourism and economic impact. At the heart of their vision was the desire to innovate on tradition, weaving a cutting-edge drone light show into the fireworks display for the second year in a row to elevate the entertainment value in a safe way.
The creative direction for the show centered around the theme of American Heroes, with patriotic drone formations honoring each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. The drones were programmed by the design team at Sky Elements to move in harmony with a live orchestral performance, the opening act to the firework show, creating a layered, once-in-a-lifetime visual and musical experience. By boldly attempting simultaneous integration of drones and fireworks (a rarity among major cities) Nashville showcased both its ambition and its leadership in redefining how Independence Day can be celebrated on a national stage.
Behind the spectacle was a tightly executed technical plan prioritizing both safety and precision. Fireworks required strict fallout and safety zones, so the drone fleet was launched from outside these boundaries, carefully moving into position for optimal audience visibility. To protect the airspace, local law enforcement worked alongside the production team to secure a larger perimeter. Every detail of the show was synchronized through advanced timecode technology, ensuring drones, fireworks, and the symphony aligned flawlessly to deliver one seamless performance.
