Peachtree City's Fourth of July parade on Peachtree Parkway draws more than 10,000 people, then Fourth Fest and fireworks at Drake Field. 2027 plans are not out yet.

Last checked Oct. 6, 2026. Facts come from the City of Peachtree City: its 2026 Recreation and Special Events calendar, its Fourth of July information page, which the city takes down between holidays, and its parade press release. This page is updated each year at the same address.

Peachtree City’s Fourth of July is a full day: a morning parade of floats and decorated golf carts on Peachtree Parkway, then Fourth Fest at Drake Field and fireworks over Lake Peachtree at dark. The city says the parade draws more than 10,000 people. The 2026 celebration was Saturday, July 4, and also marked the nation’s 250th birthday. The city has not announced its 2027 plans yet; we will update this page when it does.

Know before you go (2026 schedule)

  • Parade: 9 a.m., Peachtree Parkway north to McIntosh Trail
  • Drake Field: opened 1 p.m. for blankets; music, food and games from 3 p.m.
  • Ceremony: 6 p.m. at Drake Field, with the PTC Wind Ensemble
  • Drone show and fireworks: at dark, about 9:20 p.m., over Lake Peachtree
  • Cost: free
  • Questions: Peachtree City Recreation and Special Events, 770-631-2525

The parade

The parade began in 1973 as the idea of resident Sallie Satterthwaite and has grown into an event that draws more than 10,000 people, the city said in its 50th-anniversary press release. In 2022 it had 125 entries.

Route. The parade starts at 9 a.m. at Pinehurst Drive and Peachtree Parkway and runs north in the northbound lanes of Peachtree Parkway for about 1.8 miles. It turns left onto McIntosh Trail and ends at the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex. In 2026 the city’s notes placed the parade on the northbound side of the parkway across from Village on the Green.

Where to watch. Anywhere along Peachtree Parkway and McIntosh Trail. The city asks people to wait until dawn on the Fourth to set out chairs and blankets along the route, and not to use tarps.

Golf carts. This is the parade where golf carts are as much a part of the show as the floats. In 2026 an entry could be one golf cart or two carts side by side, and every entry had to be decorated patriotically and family-friendly, under the city’s parade rules.

Trophies. Judges award the Mayor’s Trophy, Most Creative, Most Patriotic, the Grand Marshal Trophy and the top three golf cart entries. The awards are presented at the first City Council meeting after the Fourth.

Entering the parade

Entries are open to Peachtree City and Fayette County residents and businesses. In past years the city has opened registration in May, residents first, with a deadline in late June. In 2023 sign-up opened May 8 for city residents and May 22 for the rest of Fayette County, and the deadline was June 20. Space is limited and the parade can fill before the deadline, the city says. Registration is through the Recreation and Special Events Department.

Fourth Fest and the fireworks

After the parade, the celebration moves to Drake Field, 155 Willowbend Road, beside Lake Peachtree. In 2026 the field opened at 1 p.m. for people to set up blankets, with food, games, bounce houses and a free concert from 3 p.m. A patriotic ceremony with the PTC Wind Ensemble followed at 6 p.m.

The drone show and fireworks over Lake Peachtree started at dark, about 9:20 p.m. The city blocks off a marked exclusion zone on the lake on July 3 and 4, so watch from the designated areas, not from a boat inside it.

What to know

  • Road use: the parade fills the northbound lanes of Peachtree Parkway and then McIntosh Trail, so plan any morning drive around the route.
  • Rain: the city has not published a rain plan. Check its Fourth of July page on the day.
  • Help: Peachtree City Police non-emergency, 770-487-8866; emergency, 911.

More summer ideas are in our summer camps and pools guide, and our Lake Peachtree guide covers the lake and Drake Field the rest of the year. For this month, see things to do in Peachtree City.

Frequently asked questions

What time is the Peachtree City Fourth of July parade?

It started at 9 a.m. in 2026, on Peachtree Parkway. The city has not announced its 2027 plans yet.

What is the Peachtree City Fourth of July parade route?

The parade runs north in the northbound lanes of Peachtree Parkway, about 1.8 miles, then turns left onto McIntosh Trail and ends at the McIntosh Trail Recreation Complex.

What time are the Peachtree City fireworks?

In 2026 the drone show and fireworks over Lake Peachtree began at dark, about 9:20 p.m., the city said. Drake Field opened at 1 p.m., with music from 3 p.m.

Can golf carts be in the Peachtree City Fourth of July parade?

Yes. In 2026 an entry could be one golf cart or two side by side, decorated patriotically. Entries are open to Peachtree City and Fayette County residents and businesses, and the parade often fills before its deadline.

When can I set up chairs for the Peachtree City Fourth of July parade?

The city asks people to wait until dawn on July 4 to set out chairs and blankets along the route, and not to use tarps.