Drone light show

What began as a mesmerizing light show over the skies of Liuyang, China, quickly turned into an apocalyptic nightmare. Hundreds of spectators ran for their lives as a high-tech drone and fireworks performance erupted into chaos, showering the crowd below with blazing debris.

When you think of the Vatican, you imagine centuries-old art, sacred rituals, soaring architecture. But this weekend, St. Peter’s Square got a futuristic makeover: over 3,000 custom drones danced and painted the sky with light, recreating Michelangelo’s masterpieces, honoring the late Pope Francis, and bringing together music, tech, and faith like never before.

In a case that highlights the sharp legal and safety stakes when drones operate near crowds, a Queens woman filed suit earlier this year after being struck by a DJI drone during a Fourth of July drone-and-fireworks display in New York.

The fallout from last year’s holiday drone show mishap at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando has escalated into the courtroom. Earlier this month, Adriana Edgerton, the mother of a 7-year-old boy struck by a malfunctioning drone during the December 21, 2024, performance, filed a sweeping negligence and product liability lawsuit in Orange County Circuit Court against the City of Orlando and four companies tied to the event.

On July 14, 2023, a much‑publicized drone light show over Victoria Harbour in Melbourne’s Docklands district never made it to the crowd‑pleasing finale. Instead, 427 of the 500 drones crashed into the water after a cascade of control errors and mid‑air collisions sent the swarm spiraling out of control.

Hundreds of spectators gathered at Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando on December 21, expecting a dazzling holiday-themed drone show. Instead, they witnessed chaos as drones crashed midair, plunged into the lake, and veered off course. The worst of it? A 7-year-old boy was struck by one of the falling drones, suffering serious injuries that led to open-heart surgery. Now, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report detailing what went wrong, and the findings are alarming.

What was meant to be a dazzling alternative to fireworks ended in chaos as drones from South Carolina’s Folly Beach New Year’s Eve show plummeted to the ground, injuring one spectator. The mishap, reminiscent of a recent drone show debacle in Florida, has sparked an investigation into what went wrong.

The festive cheer of Orlando’s Lake Eola Park turned to shock and fear on December 21 when drones from a Sky Elements light show malfunctioned, colliding mid-air and plummeting into the crowd below. The incident, which left multiple people shaken and a 7-year-old boy requiring emergency heart surgery, has triggered widespread cancellations of drone shows nationwide and intense regulatory scrutiny.

What began as a magical evening of holiday cheer turned into a nightmare for thousands gathered at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida, when several drones fell from the sky during a light show. Among the injured was a 7-year-old boy, Alezander Edgerton, who required emergency heart surgery after being struck by a drone.

In a dazzling display of holiday spirit and technological prowess, Sky Elements Drone Shows has set a new Guinness World Record for the “Longest Animation Performed by Drones.” The North Texas-based company orchestrated a 30-minute aerial narrative featuring 2,500 drones, surpassing the previous record of 26 minutes and 26 seconds held by a Chinese firm.

Denver’s holiday celebrations are about to soar to new heights with an incredible nightly drone light show presented by VISIT DENVER. Starting November 22, over 400 drones will perform breathtaking light displays above downtown Denver, continuing for 40 nights through New Year’s Eve.

Vegas just got a whole lot brighter! Atomic Golf Las Vegas has launched the first-ever residency drone show, adding a dazzling twist to the city’s nightlife. Last night, the golf entertainment hotspot kicked off a twelve-week series with 400 drones painting the night sky with stunning designs, leaving hundreds of attendees in awe.

Drone shows for gender reveal parties are taking the world by storm, offering a dazzling alternative to traditional methods like cutting a cake or popping balloons. The trend is gaining traction, and for good reason — these aerial displays are not only visually stunning but also a memorable way to share the joy of expecting parents with friends and family.

Drone show organizer and tech creator Verge Aero has made history by performing the first public drone display featuring pyrotechnics in the Americas. The event took place in central Austin near Ladybird Lake, marking a spectacular celebration for the Texas Longhorns as they commenced their first day of Southeastern Conference (SEC) membership.

Texas-based Sky Elements has become the first drone light show company in the US to receive FAA approval to launch fireworks from drones.

Swarm drone specialist UVify has achieved a new Guinness World Record for the most drones airborne simultaneously. The Seattle-based company recently orchestrated a breathtaking drone show of 5,293 IFO aircraft that lit up the night sky in Songdo, South Korea.

Heading to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) this Sunday? Then you should know that Visit Newport Beach, a destination-marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach in California, has planned a post-game drone light show extravaganza at the Super Bowl venue.

Dronisos, the outfit behind the largest drone light show at Disneyland Paris, is expanding to North America. The company is opening a new office in Florida and plans to conduct its first US holiday drone show at Orlando’s Lake Eola Park on December 23.  

New York City’s iconic Central Park is set to host its first-ever drone show this weekend. One thousand drones will light up the Manhattan sky with swirling vortices and amorphous shapes during three scheduled performances. Here are the complete details…

Tech giant DJI has conducted its first-ever drone light show with 1,000 aircraft, joining the UN Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) in celebrating the 43rd World Food Day today.

Drone light shows are transforming live entertainment events and celebrations across the globe. But what do you do if you want to start your own drone show business? Verge Aero, a US-based innovator and creator of drone light show systems, has released the new X7 aircraft as part of its all-in-one drone show product suite to democratize entry to the aerial entertainment industry.