Drone Shows Take Off: From Weddings to Festivals, the Sky’s the Stage

What began as a private surprise turned into an unforgettable spectacle. At a New Year's Eve wedding in New York, newlyweds Bobby and Siobhan Underwood were stunned when, just after breaking a glass in a traditional Jewish ceremony, 300 drones rose into the night sky in a choreographed display of light and movement. Images chosen to reflect their lives such as a baseball player swinging a bat and a diamond ring danced overhead, leaving them and their guests in awe. 

“It was honestly remarkable so emotional,” said Mrs. Underwood. The surprise was orchestrated by her mother and the couple’s wedding planner, aiming to add a “wow factor” to the celebration. It worked. “It was pure shock,” she added. “I couldn’t believe my mom did this for us.” 

Once rare and reserved for large-scale productions, drone light shows are now booming across events both grand and intimate. From birthday parties and weddings to global festivals and sporting events, these high-tech spectacles are quickly becoming the new standard in event entertainment. 

Drone shows are gaining momentum globally, offering an alternative to traditional fireworks with added storytelling and precision. In 2024, the iconic Glastonbury Festival in the UK featured its first-ever drone show, executed by UK-based firm Celestial. Meanwhile, China broke its own world record for the largest drone show, deploying over 10,000 drones in a breathtaking display. 

“Drone shows are more than just entertainment they’re a form of digital art,” says Sally French, a leading U.S. drone industry analyst known as The Drone Girl. She’s witnessed performances at everything from cruise launches to corporate conferences. Some of the most advanced shows feature thousands of drones creating intricate, animated scenes, including a Star Wars lightsabre duel recreated entirely in the sky. 

While the results are dazzling, the price tag can be steep. According to French, each drone can cost about $300 (£220), making a 500-drone show cost upwards of $150,000. The Underwoods estimate their own display ran into the tens of thousands. 

Some companies go even further. Skymagic, one of the largest drone show operators globally, has orchestrated displays costing more than $1 million. The firm has performed at events like the Coachella music festival and the King’s Coronation Concert in the UK, using a fleet of 6,000 customised drones, each equipped with LED lights and capable of flying for 25 minutes. 

Patrick O’Mahony, co-founder and creative director at Skymagic, says drones are redefining public displays. “We can control thousands of drones with a single pilot on the ground,” he explains. The drones are arranged in tight grid patterns before take-off and geo-fenced using GPS to prevent them from straying off course. In adverse weather, drones are programmed to return safely to the ground. 

Despite the rise of drones, traditional fireworks still hold appeal, especially for their auditory impact. “Fireworks have that boom factor that drones don’t yet replicate,” French admits. However, some drones are now equipped with pyrotechnics to simulate firework-like effects, offering a hybrid experience. 

Bill Ray, an analyst at research firm Gartner, says drone shows offer unparalleled synchronisation with music and can provide a more environmentally friendly and controllable experience compared to fireworks. Yet the cost remains a barrier. Setup and teardown are labour-intensive, keeping overall expenses high. 

As drone shows become more common, navigating different regulatory environments remains a challenge. Pedro Rosário, CEO of Drone Show Animations, creates show designs for other drone operators around the world. “Regulations vary widely. England is stricter than many Middle Eastern countries,” he says. 

Yet for many, including Rosário, the creative potential outweighs the challenges. Drone shows can combine with fireworks, lasers, or music to tell powerful visual stories. “You can really build something that has emotional value,” he says. 

And for the Underwoods, that emotional value is priceless. “We still get compliments about our wedding,” Mrs. Underwood says. “But the drone show? That’s what everyone remembers.”