Milwaukee County to Light Up the Night With Spectacular July 3rd Drone Show!
Milwaukee, WI – The Milwaukee County Parks together with Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley and the Milwaukee Parks Foundation, are excited to welcome the community back for the second annual July 3 Drone Show at McKinley Beach. Attendees can expect an afternoon of family-friendly fun and an unforgettable evening.
The festivities will begin at 3 p.m. with family-friendly activities that range from face painting to bounce houses. A variety of food and beverage vendors will also be on site to help guests beat the heat.
The drones will launch at approximately 9:15 p.m. following welcome remarks from Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. The Drone Show will feature pyrotechnic drones lighting up the sky with images and themes celebrating patriotism and Milwaukee’s iconic landmarks, all synchronized to a soundtrack provided by Radio Milwaukee.
“The July 3rd Drone Show is designed for families, neighbors, and visitors to come together and create lasting summer memories along our beautiful shoreline,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “As we celebrate America’s 250th birthday, this free community event will allow us to reflect on our nation’s history and look ahead with optimism toward the future we are building together here in Milwaukee County. I’m so excited for the community to come together to enjoy an afternoon of activity at our gorgeous lakefront before being blown away by our spectacular drone show!”
“We’re excited to welcome the community back to McKinley Beach for an even bigger and better Drone Show this year,” said Milwaukee County District 3 Supervisor Sheldon Wasserman. “Milwaukee County Parks has continued to invest in making this event a memorable experience, with new pyrotechnic drones, family-friendly activities, and an incredible display that showcases both innovation and Milwaukee’s community spirit. I encourage everyone to come out and experience it for themselves.”
“The Drone Show has quickly become one of Milwaukee County Parks’ signature summer traditions because it brings people together in one of our most iconic public spaces,” said Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director Guy Smith. “From an afternoon of family activities to an unforgettable show over Lake Michigan, we’re proud to create experiences that connect our community and showcase everything that makes Milwaukee County Parks special.”
“Milwaukee Parks Foundation is proud to support efforts that bring people together in parks. We are grateful to the many partners who came together to reimagine a beloved community celebration in an innovative and inclusive way,” said Rebecca Stoner, Executive Director of Milwaukee Parks Foundation.
Show Details:
- Date: Friday, July 3, 2026
- Location: McKinley Beach
- Activities Begin: 3 p.m.
- Drone Show: Approximately 9:15 p.m.
- Duration: 3 waves of around 14 minutes each (total ~45 minutes)
- Rain Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
- Music: Radio Milwaukee will live stream the synchronized soundtrack:
Additional Event Information
- Arrive Early – Viewing areas are first come, first served. Parking is limited to approximately 1,000 spaces and is expected to fill quickly. Lincoln Memorial Drive will partially close around 8 p.m. and reopen following the show.
- Parking – Parking is available at the McKinley Marina paved lot and the Coast Guard Station/McKinley Tennis Courts grass lot on a first-come, first-served basis. Parking at the McKinley Marina paved lot is $30 and the Coast Guard Station/McKinley Tennis Courts grass lot is $20 per vehicle (cash or card) beginning at 2 p.m.
- Viewing Locations – Once parking opens at 2 p.m., guests may choose their viewing location. Please note that staking is not permitted. Reference the event map for the best viewing locations.
- Rainout Date – If the Drone Show needs to be rescheduled due to weather, the rainout date will be Sunday, July 5. Check our website and social media channels for updates.
Thanks to Our Generous Sponsors
Milwaukee County Parks extends a heartfelt thank you to Milwaukee Parks Foundation for its leadership and dedication to supporting accessible and innovative programming throughout our parks. We also recognize the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Attorney Michael F. Hupy, along with:
- Brewers Community Foundation
- Carroll University – Drone Engineering
- City of Milwaukee – Environmental Collaboration Office
- David Herro and Jay Franke
- Hupy & Abraham, S.C.
- Northwestern Mutual
- Radio Milwaukee
- Visit Milwaukee
About Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County Parks is dedicated to enriching the lives of the community by providing safe, enjoyable, and affordable recreational opportunities while preserving the natural and cultural resources of the parks. Spanning over 15,000 acres, the Milwaukee County Park System includes more than 150 parks and parkways, over 100 miles of trails, numerous community centers, golf courses, botanical gardens, beaches, and hundreds of playgrounds, athletic fields, and picnic areas. Committed to sustainability, health, and equity, Milwaukee County Parks continues to strive toward a vision where everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy the benefits of green spaces and recreational facilities.
From Milwaukee County Parks.
From Milwaukee County Parks.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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