Hundreds gathered along the Des Moines waterfront on Friday night, July 4, 2025, to witness a dazzling drone light show that replaced traditional fireworks with a high-tech alternative.

The City of Des Moines contracted with Sky Elements Drone Shows for the event at a budget of $80,000, for a fleet of 200 synchronized drones that illuminated the night sky above the marina.

This was the third consecutive drone display for the city’s Independence Day festivities and marked a continued shift toward more environmentally conscious and crowd-friendly celebrations.

The agreement with Texas-based Sky Elements was finalized in February and included strict safety measures. The company’s pilot in command was authorized to delay or cancel the show if launch conditions weren’t deemed safe. However, the display went forward without incident.

The drones were part of a broader celebration that included food vendors, live music and waterfront viewing areas.