Fireworks And Drone Show To Launch Summer Series In New Hope: Here Are The Details

UPDATE: The Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce has canceled Friday, May 16's fireworks show, but the drone show and the street fair are still on. Chamber officials made the decision to cancel the pyrotechnic display due to high water and unsafe river conditions on the Delaware River, which would prevent the safe anchoring the fireworks barge.

NEW HOPE, PA — The Greater New Hope Area Chamber of Commerce and Visit New Hope will launch its Summer Series Fireworks and Drone Show on Friday, May 16 in conjunction with Pride Week in New Hope.

Last year, tens of thousands of people flocked to the banks of the Delaware River to take in the light show over the Delaware. This year New Hope's signature summer program expands with a dazzling surprise - a brand new season-long drone show.

Starting May 16 and continuing on June 6, July 11, August 1 and September 5, visitors are invited to experience the fireworks and drone show, plus a family-friendly block party with music and local vendors. Festivities will include local artists and crafters, live art with New Hope Arts, captivating live music, food from Italian Cucina, and other festivities.

The outdoor block party takes place on Stockton Avenue (between Bridge and Ferry streets) from 5 to 9 p.m. Stockton will be closed to vehicle traffic between Bridge and Ferry Streets starting at 2 p.m. and will only be open to pedestrians.

Look for festivities to include an expanded al fresco dining experience offered by Italian Cucina enhancing the festive atmosphere with culinary delights. Reservations are highly recommended. Musicians and bands will fill the street with live music. Artists, rafters and makers will be selling their wares on the street. And New Hope Arts will celebrate the towns creative spirit with live art demonstrations.

May vendors will include Kona Ice, Malina Crafts, Freitag Art, Kitty Couture, Wandering Wildflowers, Glitter Magic by Tiffany, Energy Revealed, and more. Watch for future vendor lists, plus live entertainment line-ups as the summer progresses.

The May 16 fireworks and drone show will begin at approximately 9:10 p.m. Start times for future shows will be announced closer to each event, but are typically between 9 and 9:15 p.m. All festivities are free and open to the public.

“This year’s New Hope Summer Series, Fireworks and Drone Show is all about creating an immersive and memorable experience for locals and visitors alike,” said President of the Greater New Hope Chamber of Commerce Michael Sklar. “We’re proud to celebrate summer in such a special way. Last year, the response to the fireworks was truly amazing and the drone show let us elevate our game. This year, our volunteers worked for months to raise money to add the season-long drone show and we are very excited about it. We have been getting calls for months asking if the program will continue. It is a win-win for our small businesses and merchants - and a win-win for tourism for Visit New Hope and Bucks County."

He added, "New Hope is one of Pennsylvania's top destinations to visit in the summer months. Our charming Bucks County town is the quintessential place for a great American getaway. This program lets us light up the night skies and offer a monthly celebration that brings together over 10,000 people for a night of food, drink, art, music and fireworks. There's truly something magical about this new tradition."

He concluded, "We started this pilot program in 2023 and it grew dramatically in 2024. We are proud to keep adding and expanding it each and every year. The show and block party gives a boost to local businesses. It adds to the over-all summer experience and drives visitors to our restaurants, shops and hotels. Additionally, it lets us offer opportunities for talented artists and vendors to showcase and sell their work - and hopefully encourage them long-term to look to open a brick and mortar in New Hope."

New Hope Summer Series, Fireworks and Drone Show is one of the town's signature programs that started in 2023 and has expanded in 2024. The program aims to spotlight New Hope as a top tourist
destination and is designed to bring in visitors to the charming Bucks County town on weekends from May to September. For locals, it is also something out of the ordinary to bring together the community. For the May celebration, look for festivities to coincide with one of the biggest weeks of the year in New Hope. New Hope Pride Week runs May 10 to 18th, with the fireworks display and festivities on Friday night May 16, plus the big Pride Parade and Fair on Saturday, May 17th.

New this year: Bring a Bluetooth speaker and download the Pyrocast app (code: F683) to sync with the official fireworks and drone show soundtrack and enjoy a fully immersive show from wherever you are in town.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to explore the incredible shops, galleries, and eateries lining the streets of New Hope. "Make it a full day of discovery — or turn it into a mini getaway with an overnight stay at one of our cozy B&Bs or inns," recommends the chamber.

Parking is available at New Hope-Solebury High School and at Union Square on Bridge Street. Some locations will charge a fee.

For more about the event and for a list of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels to visit on summer weekends, visit www.newhope.com and @visitnewhope on social media.