Your 4th of July Drone Fireworks Roundup

Drones are offering a unique perspective for photographers all around the world. But most of the spectacular shots and footage we see feature landscapes and urban scenes from above. Even though drones give us the opportunity to shoot things from a great height, the sky is rarely the object of our attention. That all changes on the 4th of July, when firework displays around the US take center stage.

Fireworks and drones seem destined to be together. Or at least a modern day equivalent of fireworks, such as Intel’s now-famous aerial light shows. You may have seen them in action at the Super Bowl earlier this year. Intel’s drone swarm also took to the skies at Coachella in April.

See more

Remember that fireworks and drones don't mix. Happy July 4th weekend. #FlySafe #DroneSafety pic.twitter.com/HWxirikcSb

— The FAA ✈️ (@FAANews) June 30, 2017

But if there’s one thing technology will never truly replace, it’s the sight, sound (and smell) of genuine fireworks. This year we wanted to bring you the best of the action from above. Here are a few of our favorite 4th of July firework aerial videos.

South Jersey

Our first entry is from Youtuber Erik Conover. He gets really close (maybe a little too close?) to the action in South Jersey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrd0pJBzabs

Philadelphia

According to Curbed Philadelphia, drone pilot Christopher Kao got a last-minute green light from the FAA to capture this, from the first night of July Fourth fireworks at Penn’s Landing above the Delaware River waterfront.

Wilmington, MA

This video, from TBerrigan Design, rises high above the action to get the fireworks from a different (safer) perspective. The footage is accompanied by the genuine sounds of the display, not just thumping trance music, which makes a nice change too.

Auburn, Al

The video above was shot on July 4th by  Maestro Create. The team used a DJI Phantom 3 Professional, proving that DJI’s older models are still right up there with the best.

Seattle

Sure, it’s from last year, but that doesn’t stop this video, taken with a DJI Phantom 4, from being one of the best drone firework shows we’ve seen. Enjoy…

Do any of these shows compare favourably to one of Intel’s drone light displays? You be the judge.