If you’re still scrambling for New Year’s Eve plans, here’s something different for NYE 2026: The ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve drone shows 2025-2026: ditch the crowded ball drop and catch a drone show instead.
This year’s shows range from intimate 200-drone displays to massive 600-drone spectacles synchronized with fireworks. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly early countdown or a midnight extravaganza, here are the best drone shows happening on December 31, 2025.
Drone shows to watch for NYE 2026
Las Vegas: The most ambitious show of the night
What’s happening: 600 drones + fireworks from 10 casino rooftops + live countdown on Sphere’s Exosphere.
When: Midnight (8-minute show).
Where: Drones launch from Las Vegas Event Plaza (across from Wynn Las Vegas).
Cost: Free to watch from the Strip.
Las Vegas is going all-in this year with their first-ever synchronized drone and fireworks display. Fireworks by Grucci is handling the pyrotechnics, which are launching from Aria, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, The Strat, Treasure Island, The Venetian, Virgin Hotels and Wynn Las Vegas. That’s all while 600 drones fly in choreographed fashion alongside them.
The theme is “Rock,” featuring classic and contemporary rock anthems with increased power salutes and rapid-fire aerial shells. The finale transitions to a patriotic theme honoring America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, ending with Grucci’s signature Titanium Grand Finale.
The logistics: The Strip closes to traffic from Tropicana to Spring Mountain Boulevard, creating a massive viewing corridor. You’ll have plenty of space to stake out your spot, but expect massive crowds. If you’re staying on the Strip, your hotel might offer viewing parties, though nothing beats being outside for the full sensory experience. (But it’ll be cold!)
Planning tips: Book accommodations now if you haven’t already. Las Vegas hotel rates spike dramatically for NYE. The Strip closure means ride-sharing and taxis will be nightmare fuel; plan to walk or stay within the closure zone. Also, if you’re planning to watch, ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” is broadcasting from Vegas with Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough starting at 8 p.m. EST, so you might catch yourself on TV. Get more details here.
Temecula, California: The early bird special
What’s happening: Drone show “grape drop” for East Coast countdown
When: 9:00 p.m. (East Coast midnight)
Where: Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Temecula, CA
Cost: Free
Temecula’s signature Grape Drop is perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to stay up until midnight. This is Southern California wine country, so the “grape drop” theme makes sense. This year, they’re executing it as a drone show rather than a physical drop.
The evening runs 6-10 p.m. with live music from Know Illusion and Lifetime Rocker, food vendors and free kids’ activities. The drone show happens at 9 p.m. to coincide with the East Coast countdown, meaning you can celebrate the new year and still get home at a reasonable hour.
Planning tips: Temecula is about 90 minutes from San Diego and two hours from Los Angeles without traffic. It’s also wine country, so if you’re making the drive, consider booking a tasting room visit earlier in the day. Just remember: if you’re drinking wine all afternoon, arrange a designated driver or rideshare for the evening festivities.
Get more details about the Grape Drop here.
Kissimmee, Florida: Theme park alternative
What’s happening: All-new drone show debut at Fun Spot America
When: Shortly before midnight
Where: Fun Spot America Kissimmee, 5700 Fun Spot Way
Cost: Park admission required (check website for NYE rates)
Fun Spot America, which is near Orlando, is debuting their first-ever New Year’s Eve drone show this year. The park is positioning this as a family-friendly alternative to the massive (and massively crowded) celebrations at nearby Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando.
The drone show features “coordinated lights and technology-forward visuals” with rides operating throughout the night. It’s a smaller-scale production compared to Vegas, but the advantage is atmosphere — you’re in a theme park with attractions, not standing on a packed street corner.
Planning tips: Kissimmee is tourist central, so accommodations are plentiful but book fast for NYE. Fun Spot is much smaller than the major Orlando parks, which means more intimate crowds but fewer amenities. The park is about 15 minutes from Disney Springs and 20 minutes from Universal Orlando, making it easy to combine with a longer Orlando vacation. Check their website for specific NYE hours and admission pricing.
Huntington, New York: An alternative to Times Square
What’s happening: 200-drone show by Sky Elements (16 Guinness World Record holders)
When: 11:50 p.m. (15-minute show)
Where: Sky above parking lot across from Huntington Post Office, Wall Street
Cost: Free
Sky Elements is bringing serious credentials to Huntington Village. The company that was a semi-finalist on America’s Got Talent also holds multiple Guinness World Record titles in drone show production. The 200 drones will fly more than 100 feet in the air for a 15-minute, music-choreographed performance starting at 11:50 p.m.
The street party kicks off at 9:30 p.m. with DJ Mike Shortt, and the show is designed as a “family-friendly alternative to fireworks.” If you’re in the New York metro area and want something less chaotic than Times Square, this is your move.
Planning tips: Huntington is on Long Island’s North Shore, about an hour from Manhattan by LIRR. If you’re coming from the city, check train schedules in advance. Service may be modified for the holiday. The village is also hosting the Huntington Holiday Spectacular through January 4 with nightly light shows, so you can make a full evening of it. Street parking will be at a premium; arrive early or use the LIRR.
Dallas: Fireworks, LEDs and drones
What’s happening: 500 drones + 5,000+ pyrotechnic effects + 259 LED light display on Reunion Tower
When: 11:59 p.m.
Where: Launched from Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd E
Cost: Free to watch from downtown; ticketed events available at Reunion Tower’s website.
Dallas is celebrating the tenth anniversary of “Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower” with their biggest show yet. This is a hybrid production with all the things in the air: 500 drones, over 5,000 pyrotechnic special effects, and a 259 LED light display on the tower itself.
Reunion Tower is an iconic 561-foot observation tower in downtown Dallas, and watching fireworks launch from it while drones choreograph around it should be spectacular. Hunt Realty Investments is producing this in collaboration with Reunion Tower.
Planning tips: Downtown Dallas has excellent viewing angles from multiple locations. The skyline is relatively low-rise compared to other major cities, so you won’t be blocked by tall buildings. Reunion Tower offers ticketed NYE packages if you want guaranteed viewing with amenities (check reuniontower.com for details and pricing). If you’re watching from street level, arrive early for good positioning. Dallas weather on NYE averages in the 40s-50s°F, so dress warmly but not Chicago-level warm.
What to know about NYE 2026 drone shows
Drone shows vs. fireworks: If you’re used to traditional fireworks, drone shows are different. (Assuming they aren’t put on in tandem with fireworks), they’re quieter (good for kids, pets, and veterans with PTSD), more precise, and can create detailed images and text that fireworks can’t match. The tradeoff is less visceral impact. There’s no boom, no sulfur smell, no debris raining down. Then again, some cities are combining both (Vegas, Dallas) to get the detailed imagery and the boom.
Weather concerns: Drones are sometimes more weather-sensitive than fireworks. High winds, heavy rain or snow can ground shows. Check each city’s contingency plans and follow their social media for real-time updates on December 31.
Photography tips: Drones create different challenges than fireworks. They move slower and more deliberately, so you can use lower ISOs and longer exposures. A tripod is essential for anything longer than 1/60th of a second. For video, 24fps or 30fps works well. The slower frame rate creates nice motion blur on the moving drones. And if you’re filming the drone show with a drone? Tread cautiously. The airspace might be restricted in the spot you’re flying so you don’t interact with their drones.
Booking windows: Most NYE hotel rates are already elevated, but you’ve still got time. Vegas and Orlando are the most expensive and most likely to sell out. Temecula and Huntington offer more last-minute flexibility. If you’re flying, ticket prices typically peak around December 26-27, so book now if possible.
Have you attended a NYE drone show? I’d love to hear about your experience! Drop me a note on Instagram @thedronegirl or in the comments right below.
And if you have a NYE 2026 drone show I should know about to share with other readers, contact me here.
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