Organizers are planning an upgraded show, visible throughout La Jolla Shores and livestreamed.

The 4th annual La Jolla Fourth of July drone show is about six weeks away, and organizers are asking for donations to close a funding gap.

The free drone show will begin at 8:45 pm Saturday, July 4, launching from the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club, which has hosted the show since it began with only 100 drones in 2023.

This year, 500 drones (the same number as in the 2025 show) will take to the sky, choreographed to accompanying music in a 15-minute show.

The show will be visible from Kellogg Park, the Beach & Tennis Club and various points around La Jolla, cloud-dependent.

Organizer Jim McInerney expects this year’s show to be better than the last, as the 500 drones have upgraded technology, featuring better luminosity and more.

Also new this year: a livestream of the show, McInerney said.

“It’s going to be a very patriotic show this year,” he added, “because we’re celebrating the 250th anniversary of America.” 

The drone show will also include the typical, La Jolla-based marine life.

Drone show organizers, which include the LJ STEAM Foundation, have raised about $31,000 of the needed $60,000 in private donations.

The money covers the drone rental, sound and music.

Donations can be made at lajollaskyshow.com.

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