Fireworks, Drones & America’s 250th on the Delaware
New Hope and Lambertville come together July 3–5, 2026 for a three-day America 250 festival featuring Revolutionary-era theater, a synchronized fireworks and 200-drone sky show, live music, a Freedom Parade, dragon boat racing, and church bells ringing across both river towns.
Friday Night: Fireworks & 200 Drones Over the Delaware
Friday, July 3 closes at 9:00 PM with a 20-minute spectacular over the Delaware River. Fireworks launched from two boats anchored mid-river will pair with a 200-drone patriotic light show and a fully synchronized soundtrack of patriotic music.
Stadium-quality speakers will be installed throughout downtown New Hope and downtown Lambertville so everyone walking either side of the river hears the same music at the same moment as the same fireworks burst overhead and drones form patriotic images in the sky.
Best Viewing Spots
- New Hope–Lambertville Bridge sidewalk
- New Hope towpath
- Lambertville waterfront
- Ghost Light Inn promenade
- Riverside restaurants in either town
9:00 PM
Full Weekend Schedule
Revolutionary-era theater, children’s programming, ballet, musical performances, and the 9:00 PM fireworks and drone show.
Children’s Author Talk: The Young Federalists
📍 New Hope River PromenadeEducational discussion with author Abigale Readlinger on the founding of the Federalist Papers. Free copies of the book will be available to the public.
New Hope & Lambertville History Discussion
📍 New Hope River Promenade Platform StageDiscussion on the history of both towns from revolutionary days to the 20th century, led by tour guides from the New Hope Historical Society.
George Washington & Ben Franklin Portrayal
📍 Lambertville Station Platform StageSponsored by Revolutionary Crawls and Events. Educational discussion/portrayal of struggles in obtaining independence with a Q&A session.
Admiral DeGrasse & General Henry Knox
📍 New Hope River Promenade Platform StageSponsored by Revolutionary Crawls and Events. Educational discussion/portrayal of their roles in the revolution and the country's founding.
Roxey Ballet: NJ Ballad
📍 Lambertville Station Platform Stage30-minute re-enactment of Washington’s Crossing and the struggles leading to the victory at Trenton.
Music Mountain Theatre: “Stars & Stripes”
📍 Lambertville Station Platform StagePatriotic songs performed between Roxey Ballet shows.
Experience George Washington
📍 New Hope River Promenade Platform StagePortrayed by Curt Radabaugh along with Martha Washington, discussing the revolution, the Constitutional Convention, and life with George Washington.
Live Music: HopeWell Band
📍 Lambertville Station Platform StageFireworks & 200-Drone Show
📍 Delaware RiverAmerica’s actual 250th birthday celebration at the New Hope American Legion parking lot with a revolutionary-themed tavern environment.
Revolutionary Pub Crawl (SOLD OUT)
📍 Starts: Lambertville StationSponsored by Revolutionary Crawls and Events. Includes actors playing George Washington, Anna Strong, Samuel Adams, and a Continental Army soldier. Features commanding interpretations of leadership, strategy, intelligence gathering, and revolutionary tavern life.
DJ Set
📍 New Hope American Legion LotSam Ryan Band
📍 New Hope American Legion LotDonna Summer Tribute (Rainere Martin)
📍 New Hope American Legion LotABBA Tribute Band
📍 New Hope American Legion LotThe festival closes with a parade, rowing regatta, dragon boat race, and a cross-river simultaneous performance.
Freedom Parade
📍 Starts: New Hope American Legion | Ends: Lambertville StationFeaturing fife and drum performers, historical figures, veteran posts, Scouts, the Tri-County Band, and the Eagle/Lambertville Fire Departments.
Swan Creek Rowing Club Regatta
📍 Delaware RiverRelentless Dragon Boat Race
📍 Under the bridgeCompeting boats representing America and Great Britain.
Declaration of Independence Readings
Mayors and dignitaries deliver dramatic readings on both sides of the river.
“God Bless America” + Bell Ringing
Simultaneous bell ringing across the river and musical performances from the Playhouse and Music Mountain Theatre to close the weekend.
America's 250th Local Specials
Enjoy special offers from 32 participating businesses in New Hope! All offers valid July 3 - July 6, 2026.
Food & Drink (12)
Cellar Pub
$1 hot dogs; $8 Adult Lemonade Water Ice (vanilla vodka, lemon, simple syrup) with complimentary sparkler. Valid ID required.
Country Fair Chocolates
"Red, White & Blueberries" white chocolate, blueberries & raspberry. July 4-5 (48-year tradition).
Ferry's End
$2.50 "Redcoats/Bluecoats" Bud & Bud Light; $2.50 "Go Birds" Kenwood Lager; $12.50 "Ben's Elixer" (Traveller Whiskey, Linvilla cider, brown sugar syrup); $12.50 "America The Beautiful" (Michter's bourbon, elderflower, grapefruit, honey, walnut bitters).
Fran's Pub
"Red, White & Blue" Long Island Iced Tea.
GreenHouse New Hope
4th of July specialty cocktails, dessert & appetizer available.
John & Peter's Place
"The Liberty Bloom" blueberry margarita tequila, triple sec, fresh lime juice, blueberry puree & Rose's lime.
Nomad Distillery
"The 1776" (corn whiskey, Miners root beer, cherry); "Founding Father's Old Fashioned" (noble bourbon, sugar, bitters, orange peel); "The Betsy Ross" (blackberry bramble brandy, lemonade, club soda, blueberries).
Poppa Frank's
"Freedom Pancakes" stack topped with strawberries, blueberries & whipped cream.
Reed's Breakfast Bar
"AmeriConi Float" blueberry nitro coffee float with strawberry whip.
Spatola's Pizza
"Star Spangled Parm Pizza" chicken parmesan, vodka sauce & fresh mozzarella.
Giovanni's Dillicious Pickles
Free American flag with any purchase; $5 Cherry Pickle; $5 Blue Razz Pickle.
Gelato Shop
10% off when dressed in Red, White & Blue.
Retail & Shops (20)
A Nightmare in New Hope
20% off entire store + admission to the Horror Gallery. Closed July 4.
Dark Moon Crystals & Curiosities
10% off crystals and jewelry.
Ditto Vintage
"4th of July Rack" $5 sale items available.
Esoterica
Enter to win a $50 gift card when you spend $50 or more.
Farley's Bookshop
Enter to win a $100 gift card when you spend $20 or more.
God Save the Qweens
Donate an unopened bag of cat/dog food or treats, get $25 off any pair of Dr. Marten's.
Goody Bag & Basket Co.
25% off salt water taffy.
Love Saves The Day
Enter to win a $25 gift card when you spend $25 or more.
MainStreet Harvest
Enter to win a surprise gift when you spend $25 or more.
New Hope Apparel Co.
Enter to win a $50 gift card when you spend $25 or more.
Olive & Grape
Enter to win a gift card + 6-pack when you spend $25 or more. Plus a "4th of July Sale" and "Tahini with Honey."
Steam Soapery
Enter to win a surprise gift when you spend $25 or more.
Sunbeam General Store
10% off when dressed in Red, White & Blue.
Suzie's Hot Shoppe
One free gift per group when dressed patriotically.
Syn Boutique
10% off when dressed patriotically.
The Cat Walk of New Hope
Enter to win a $50 New Hope Apparel Co. gift card when you spend $25 or more.
The Creeper Gallery
Enter to win a surprise gift when you spend $25 or more.
The Den
Free "The Den" t-shirt with any purchase of $20 or more.
Wax N Scent Studio
Take any candle-making workshop and get 50% off the "Heat Lamp Candle Warmer" - $15 (reg. $30).
Whatever's Hot
10% off when dressed patriotically.
Why New Hope. Why Now.
- New Hope was known as Coryell’s Ferry during the Revolution.
- It was a highly strategic Delaware River crossing.
- Congress ordered the crossing defended in spring 1777.
- Major General Benedict Arnold established his Continental Army headquarters at the Logan Inn before his treason.
- George Washington stayed at the Logan Inn multiple times during the war.
- The Logan Inn, originally the Ferry Tavern, was built in 1727 and still operates today.
- The basement where dead Continental soldiers were stored through frozen winters until the ground thawed for burial is still there.
Most people who pass through New Hope don’t realize they’re walking through Revolutionary history. The buildings are still here, the stories are still here, and 250 years later we’re still here. Working with America Celebrates, we built this weekend so everyone gets to see the town the way we see it.
Help Put Your Name in the Sky.
The drones, fireworks, stages, speakers, production crew, security, permits, and cross-river programming make this a regional celebration at a regional scale. Local businesses and community partners are invited to help support the weekend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Friday, July 3, 2026 at 9:00 PM. The show lasts approximately 20 minutes.
Over the Delaware River between New Hope, Pennsylvania and Lambertville, New Jersey. Fireworks will be launched from two boats anchored mid-river.
Yes. The fireworks will be paired with a 200-drone patriotic light show and synchronized patriotic music.
Yes. Friday programming and the fireworks/drone show are free to the public.
Recommended viewing areas include the New Hope–Lambertville Bridge sidewalk, New Hope towpath, Lambertville waterfront, Ghost Light Inn promenade, and riverside restaurants in either town.
Arrive early. For the fireworks, visitors should plan to find a riverside spot before 8:30 PM.
Most events are free. The Saturday Revolutionary Pub Crawl is separately ticketed, and the Saturday evening concert at the New Hope American Legion lot has a $10 entry fee.
New Hope American Legion lower parking lot, 41 New Street, New Hope, PA.
The Freedom Parade starts at the New Hope American Legion lot at 10:00 AM, crosses the bridge, and ends at Lambertville Station.
America Celebrates, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce are producing the festival with more than a dozen regional non-profit and community partners.
Community Partners
Stay current with America Celebrates.
The full official schedule, ongoing updates, the children’s book details, and the Pub Crawl ticket page are all on americacelebrates.org. For sponsorship questions, see our sponsor program.