Venetian SKies
Venetian Fireworks take place on two nights and are specially produced & choreographed by:
Colonial Fireworks Special Effects with world renowned Master Pyrotechnician, Frank Loffredo, Jr.
Frank’s credits include: Thunder Over Louisville, Bicentennial Rededication of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor,
Desert Storm Victory Celebration in Washington, D.C., and the Detroit Freedom Festival.
This year the Famous Frankie will reunite with Zambelli Fireworks to bring you yet another two nights of jaw-dropping night-sky blasts! Frankie Loffredo, Jr. has been playing with fire since the ripe age of 12, no doubt lured into the family tradition that originated in Naples, Italy, with his grandfather, Marco Loffredo. It’s no coincidence that Antonio Zambelli’s pyrotechnic recipes came from Italy too, as the Italians were the first Europeans to manufacture the fun-filled explosives, believed to have first been created in China in the second century B.C. Today, Zambelli’s is run by Antonio’s grandson, George Zambelli, Jr., much like Frankie is operating in the tradition of his grandfather – che figata!
night sky world class fireworks
Friday • July 24, 2026
Around 10:15 pm (dusk)
A high aerial fireworks display shot off from Lake Charlevoix just off shore from Depot Beach on the north side of Charlevoix.
Friday evening fireworks can be seen from Depot Beach, East Park, and Ferry Beach. New in 2026, the Depot Beach location will offer live musical entertainment by duo Pinter Whitnick. East Park will have live music right up until close to the time of the fireworks. Ferry Beach will have live music provided by the Up North Jazz Big Band, a swing-era band providing live entertainment and a cleared pavilion perfect for dancing.
Spectacular Harbor fireworks
Saturday • July 25, 2026
immediately following the boat parade
A fireworks display on Round Lake immediately following the iconic Boat Parade. Fireworks can be seen across the City of Charlevoix, but will be particularly spectacular in both the Bridge Park and East Park areas.
On Saturday the noted paesanos gather in Round Lake Harbor to stage Venetian’s low aerial/high intensity pyrotechnic extravaganza rivaled only by such displays as Thunder over Louisville. Over 10,000 bursts shoot from the Venetian barge with blinding brilliance! And, if you’ve been to one of Frankie’s displays before, you know he has a surprise up his sleeve! After 27 years of teaming up with Venetian, even Festival organizers are still “in the dark” until the final shell has burst! Now that’s a celebration – HAPPY BIRTHDAY USA!
Did you know? Colonial Fireworks spends almost an entire week preparing hands-on for the Venetian productions, creating our favorite sky bursts while ensuring each shell is safely placed and shot.
Venetian Airshow is taking a hiatus - see you in 2027!
Venetian will not be hosting an Airshow in 2026, with plans to return in 2027. You can stage your OWN air show – check out Skydive Charlevoix, open daily, at the Charlevoix Municipal Airport and jump from 10,500 feet over Lake Michigan and the Charlevoix coastline!
