Drone light shows have evolved from novelty entertainment to breathtaking aerial art installations that rival traditional fireworks. With these 2026 drone shows, hundreds of illuminated drones will paint stories across night skies from coast to coast, synchronized to music and designed to create unforgettable visual experiences.
Whether you’re looking for patriotic displays, holiday celebrations or cutting-edge artistic performances, this guide covers the best drone light shows happening around the world in 2026.
Use this guide to start planning your travels now. And bookmark this page! I’ll be continuously updating this throughout the year as we get information about other 2026 drone shows, many of which are only announced a few weeks (and sometimes days) in advance.
If you know of a great public drone show I should feature, please contact me here.
Drone Girl’s guide to 2026 drone shows
- What makes drone light shows so special?
- Winter/Spring 2026 drone shows
- The Big Game Drone Show – San Jose, California (Super Bowl drone show)
- DroneArt Show: Music That Lights Up The Night – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
- Illuminated Drone Show – Sequim Sunshine Festival, Washington
- Disney Cascade of Lights – Disneyland Paris
- Central Texas AirFest – Temple, Texas
- Pittsburgh Pirates Postgame Drone Shows
- Summer/Fall 2026 drone shows (September – November)
- Planning your 2026 drone light show experience
- How drone shows work: the tech behind them
- Frequently asked questions
What makes drone light shows so special?
Unlike fireworks that explode and disappear, drone light shows create precise, evolving imagery — from dolphins swimming through the sky to abstract geometric patterns, from recognizable characters to flowing narratives (I even had a drone show at my wedding where we told the story of our relationship!). Drone shows are:
- Eco-friendly (no smoke, debris, or noise pollution)
- Reusable (the same drones perform show after show)
- Precise (synchronized to within milliseconds)
- Versatile (can tell stories, form logos, create 3D effects)
- Safe (no fire risk, quieter than fireworks)
The technology has advanced dramatically. Shows now feature 300 to well over 1,000 drones, creating increasingly complex choreography that would be impossible with traditional pyrotechnics. Here’s what you can expect from the 2026 drone shows.
Winter/Spring 2026 drone shows
The Big Game Drone Show – San Jose, California (Super Bowl drone show)
When: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, 9 p.m.
Where: Downtown San Jose (along Santa Clara Street near City Hall)
Cost: Free
What to Expect: San Jose celebrates Super Bowl weekend with a spectacular drone show over downtown San Jose, which is south of San Francisco. Part of the city’s “SJ26: Big Party” festivities, this family-friendly display lights up Santa Clara Street in the heart of downtown.
Best For: Sports fans, families, anyone in the Bay Area for Super Bowl festivities
Event Details: San Jose Sports Authority
DroneArt Show: Music That Lights Up The Night – Fort Lauderdale, Florida
When: Feb. 6 & 7, 2026, 7 p.m.
Where: Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium
Cost: Ticketed event (over 500,000 tickets sold globally)
What Makes This Special: This isn’t just a drone show — it’s a full concert experience. Over 1,000 drones perform choreographed routines synchronized to live classical string music, creating an open-air concert that paints the night sky with light, color, and movement. Past shows have featured drones forming stars, flowers and abstract shapes that flow seamlessly with the music.
What’s Included:
- 65-minute performance featuring hundreds of synchronized drones
- Live classical music accompaniment
- Food and beverage offerings from concessionaires
- ADA-compliant venue
- All ages welcome (children under 3 free)
Pro Tips: Arrive early to enjoy food offerings, bring warm clothes for the outdoor nighttime event, and note that late entry may not be permitted.
Best For: Music lovers, date nights, anyone seeking a sophisticated aerial arts experience
Tickets: DroneArt Show Fort Lauderdale
Illuminated Drone Show – Sequim Sunshine Festival, Washington
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 7 p.m.
Where: Carrie Blake Park, 202 Blake Avenue, Sequim, WA
Drones: 300 drones flying 450 feet high
Cost: Free (part of Sequim Sunshine Festival)
What to Expect: Firefly Drone Company returns with an expanded show featuring 300 drones dancing across the night sky. The drones fly high enough that you can enjoy excellent views from anywhere around or inside the park. Arrive early for live music and food before the show.
Event Sponsor: Sound Community Bank
Pro Tips: Bring lawn chairs and blankets for comfortable viewing. The surrounding areas may be dark after 7 PM, so bring headlamps or flashlights to help navigate back to your vehicle.
Best For: Pacific Northwest families, festival-goers, those seeking small-town charm with cutting-edge entertainment
Event Details: Visit Sunny Sequim
Disney Cascade of Lights – Disneyland Paris
When: Nightly beginning March 29, 2026
Where: Disney Adventure World, Disneyland Paris
Cost: Included with valid park admission; reserved viewing area available for purchase (on sale Feb. 19, 2026)
What Makes This Extraordinary: Disney’s next iteration of their drone shows in the Paris parks combines fireworks, water screen projections, and drone choreography to tell an uplifting story featuring Disney and Pixar heroes including Moana, Hercules, and Mulan. The company has put on shows across their resort (I saw their Electrical Sky Parade show which played out against the backdrop of the castle).
Disney’s 2026 drone show show is called “Cascade of Lights.” It unfolds on Adventure Bay, which is located at their second park, called Parc Walt Disney Studios. There, the lake becomes a dynamic stage with reflections, projections, and vistas creating a unique panorama. That park is in the midst of all sorts of improvements beyond just the drone show — including an all new Frozen land also set to open in March 2026.
Accessibility: Disney offers a dedicated viewing area for guests with disabilities. Present your Priority Access Card at the entrance with up to 2 companions for assisted placement with optimal views.
Pro Tips: The show will be extremely popular. Consider purchasing reserved viewing area access for guaranteed sightlines. Check the official Disneyland Paris mobile app for exact show times during your visit.
Best For: Disney enthusiasts, international travelers, families seeking world-class entertainment
Event details: Official Disney Paris website
Central Texas AirFest – Temple, Texas
When: Friday, May 16, 2026, (drone show during Twilight Airshow)
Where: Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport, Temple, Texas
Cost: Ticketed event (tickets on sale April 1, 2026)
What to Expect: The expanded drone show returns as part of the Friday night Twilight Airshow, featuring synchronized formations paired with live concert entertainment. The drone show, put on by Sky Elements, is part of a two-day aviation celebration presented by Texell Credit Union, with the NextGen Eagles headlining.
Friday Night (May 16):
- Twilight Airshow
- Expanded drone show with synchronized formations
- Live concert
Best For: Aviation enthusiasts, families in Central Texas, anyone wanting to see drones integrated into traditional airshow entertainment
Event Details: Temple AirShow
Pittsburgh Pirates Postgame Drone Shows
When: Select Friday night games (May 29 & September 4, 2026)
Where: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Games:
- Friday, May 29: vs. Minnesota Twins
- Friday, September 4: vs. Los Angeles Angels
What to Expect: The Pittsburgh Pirates continue their tradition of postgame drone shows on select Friday nights. These performances follow night games, creating a complete entertainment experience for baseball fans.t.
Best For: Baseball fans, Pittsburgh locals
Event Details: Pirates Promotions Schedule
Summer/Fall 2026 drone shows (September – November)
Labor Day Drone Show – Big Bear Lake, California
When: Sunday, Sept. 6, 2026, 8:30 p.m.
Where: Drones launch from Pine Knot Marina; visible from Veteran’s Park, The Village, and surrounding areas
Cost: Free (hosted by Visit Big Bear)
What to Expect: Big Bear Mountain Resort partners with Visit Big Bear to create an alpine spectacle over Big Bear Lake. The drones launch from Pine Knot Marina, creating a display visible throughout the lakeside community. You should expect to be able to see it from locations including Veteran’s Park and The Village.
Best For: Mountain lovers, Southern California families, Labor Day weekend travelers
Event Details: Big Bear Mountain Resort Events
Halloween Trunk or Treat Drone Show – Euless, Texas
When: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026
Where: Glade Parks (between Thirsty Lion and The Reserve), 2701 Rio Grande Blvd., Euless, TX
Cost: Free
What to Expect: Sky Elements brings Halloween magic to Euless Parks’ annual Trunk or Treat celebration. This safe, family-friendly event combines traditional trick-or-treating (car-to-car from decorated trunks) with a spectacular drone show as darkness falls.
Event Activities:
- Trunk-or-treating from decorated vehicles
- Nearby restaurant options at Glade Parks
- Sky Elements drone show (evening)
Best For: Families with young children seeking safe Halloween celebrations, North Texas residents
Event Details: Euless Parks Events
Fleet Week Seabrook Drone Show – Seabrook, Texas
When: Tuesday, November 11, 2026, 6:00 PM
Where: Main Street, Seabrook, Texas
Cost: Free community event
What Makes This Significant: Sky Elements honors America’s military heroes with a patriotic drone show celebrating the 250th birthdays of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. This is part of Fleet Week Houston — a celebration honoring the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
Oddly enough, this inaugural Fleet Week Houston was originally scheduled for November 2025 but was postponed to 2026 due to the 2025 government shutdown.
Best For: Military families, veterans, Houston-area residents
HolidayFest: Night of Lights – Fort Wayne, Indiana
When: Nov. 25, 2026 (opening night); runs on select nights through Dec. 31, 2026
Where: Downtown Fort Wayne
Cost: Free community event
What to Expect: Sky Elements elevates Fort Wayne’s beloved HolidayFest with drone shows that paint holiday stories above downtown, synchronized to music and designed to complement the city’s iconic traditional lightings including Santa and His Reindeer and the Merry Christmas Wreath.
The Experience: This represents a modern twist on classic community tradition—merging nostalgic illuminations with cutting-edge aerial art. The drone shows run throughout the holiday season, creating a unique spectacle that’s distinctly Fort Wayne.
Best For: Midwest families, holiday tradition enthusiasts, anyone seeking festive entertainment throughout the holiday season
Planning your 2026 drone light show experience
Day-of drone show viewing tips
Here are some general rules of thumb when it comes to viewing a drone show:
Arrive early: Popular shows draw large crowds. As is the case for pretty much any major event, arriving 45-60 minutes early typically ensures good parking and optimal viewing positions.
Bring comfort items:
- Lawn chairs or blankets for ground seating
- Warm layers (even summer nights cool down)
- Headlamps or flashlights for navigating dark areas afterward
- Snacks and water (unless event provides food vendors)
Photography tips:
- Use tripods for stable shots
- Set longer exposures (1-4 seconds) to capture drone light trails
- Shoot in RAW format for editing flexibility
- Include foreground elements (trees, buildings, people) for scale and context
- Don’t just photograph! Enjoy the moment with your eyes too
Check Weather: Drone shows are weather-dependent. High winds, rain, or low cloud ceilings can force cancellations. Check event websites or social media for updates on show day.
Respect regulations: If you’re a drone pilot, do NOT fly your personal drone during these shows. The airspace is restricted, and flying could interfere with the performance, endanger the show drones, or result in legal consequences.
Free vs. ticketed drone light shows in 2026
Many shows are free to watch. Others, like the DroneArt Show (Fort Lauderdale) and Disney Cascade of Lights require tickets. And there are some hybrid drone shows, like the baseball game events. The optimal viewing (a front-facing stage, music, etc.) does require you to hold a ticket, but because drone shows occur so high in the sky, you can often see them from outside vantage points anyway.
How drone shows work: the tech behind them
Modern drone light shows use sophisticated technology, such as:
- GPS precision: Drones navigate using RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) GPS for centimeter-level accuracy
- Automated choreography: Software pre-programs every movement, synchronized to music
- LED customization: Each drone carries programmable RGB LEDs capable of millions of color combinations
- Safety protocols: Redundant systems, geofencing, and fail-safes prevent collisions or flyaways
- Ground control: Operators monitor in real-time but rarely intervene once shows begin
Shows typically use anywhere from 100 to over 1,000 drones, with larger fleets creating more complex imagery and smoother animations.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly my own drone during these shows? Absolutely not. The airspace is restricted during performances. Flying your drone could interfere with the show, create safety hazards, and result in legal penalties.
What happens if it rains? Most shows are weather-dependent. Light rain might not cancel a show, but heavy rain, high winds, or low cloud ceilings typically force postponement. Check event websites or social media on show day.
How high do the drones fly? Most shows operate between 200-400 feet above ground level, well within safe limits and visible from wide viewing areas.
Are drone shows loud? Not particularly. You may hear the collective hum of drone propellers (similar to a swarm of bees) depending on your viewing point, but it’s far quieter than fireworks. Music (and some distance) often drowns out drone noise entirely.
Can I take photos and videos? Yes, nearly all public shows welcome photography. Just be courteous to those around you — don’t block views or use excessively bright screens.
How long do shows last? Typically 10-20 minutes for the aerial portion, though events like DroneArt Show (65 minutes) include extended performances with multiple segments.
Which drone light show will you attend in 2026? Share your plans in the comments below! And if you know of any other drone shows I should feature, please contact me here.
Looking for more drone events? Check out our complete guides to 2026 drone conferences and expos and drone vacations.
The post 2026 drone shows: a complete guide to how to watch a drone light show (many are free!) appeared first on The Drone Girl.