With personal fireworks banned across Draper this summer, the city is giving residents a free, professional alternative to close out Draper Days 2026: a drone show marking America's 250th birthday on Friday, July 17, followed by a fireworks display on Saturday, July 18, both at Draper Park.
Gov. Spencer Cox and the state forester issued an executive order banning personal fireworks statewide due to extreme wildfire danger and active wildfires burning across Utah. All cities in Salt Lake County aligned with the ban. Violations carry fines up to $1,000, and anyone who starts a fire with illegal fireworks faces criminal charges and financial liability for firefighting costs.
"Nothing about this decision was easy," Cox said in the state's announcement. "We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they've never witnessed before."
Three wildland firefighters were killed battling wildfires along the Utah/Colorado border on June 27. Draper itself saw evacuations during the 2020 Traverse Mountain Fire, which was started by fireworks in a restricted area.
Both the Friday drone show and Saturday fireworks are free, with no tickets required. Here's the remaining Draper Days schedule:
Wednesday, July 15 — Draper Idol and Movie Night
Local singers compete at the Draper Amphitheater (944 Vestry Rd.) starting at 7:15 p.m. Two divisions: Senior (ages 16 and older) and Junior (ages 11–15). First-place winners in each division take home $200 and earn a spot on the main Draper Days stage Friday, July 17. After the competition, a free movie screens on a 32-foot screen at 9:15 p.m. Bring blankets or lawn chairs.
Thursday, July 16 — Car Show and Children's Bike Parade
The all-makes, all-models car show runs 4–8 p.m. at Draper Park, with in-person registration starting at 2:30 p.m. Awards go out at 7:30 p.m. Best in Show wins $500, a plaque, and a spot in Saturday's parade.
At 6 p.m., kids gather at Draper Elementary to decorate bikes, scooters, skateboards, or wagons. The parade rolls at 6:30 p.m. along Willow Creek Trail, a half-mile route ending at Draper Park. Free activities at the park from 6–8 p.m. include pony rides, a petting zoo, face painting, a rock climbing wall, the Extreme Dogs Stunt Show, Lumberjacks Stunt Show, and Flying Aces Pig Races.
Friday, July 17 — Concert and Drone Show
Park activities open at 5 p.m. A free concert begins at 7 p.m. (performers not yet announced). At 10 p.m., a drone show marks America's semiquincentennial. Food trucks will be on site. Attendees may bring chairs, blankets, and outside food. No alcohol or glass bottles.
Saturday, July 18 — Parade, Concert, and Fireworks
The Draper Days Parade steps off at 9 a.m., heading north on Fort Street from Stokes Avenue to Pioneer Road. The 1.5-mile route is limited to 100 entries. Parade-watchers can reserve spots along the route starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16; vehicle parking along the route opens at 8 a.m. Friday, July 17.
Park activities resume at noon. The Saturday concert starts at 7 p.m., and the professional fireworks display launches at 10 p.m.
Draper City said it will coordinate with state and county officials on conditions ahead of the Pioneer Day holiday fireworks window starting Wednesday, July 22, and will provide an update on whether personal-use restrictions continue.
