In 2023, I obtained absolutely the privilege to see my first drone mild present in particular person. In 2024, I hope to see many extra — and I hope you do too. Drone mild exhibits have turn into an exciting phenomenon. And notably as merchandise like Verge Aero’s Composer software program and the expansion of corporations making mild present drones make drone mild exhibits extra ubiquitous, there’s probability you’ll see a drone mild present in 2024.
Many drone mild exhibits occur with little discover, however some are deliberate nicely upfront. I’ve been looking out for these ones which have been giving advance discover. With that, I’ve curated a listing of a number of the finest, public drone mild exhibits so you can also make journey plans and see them for your self.
That is hardly a complete listing of each drone mild present occurring in 2024. The truth is, there are a whole lot that happen in only a month. As an alternative, right here I’ve particularly listed exhibits which might be set to be both particularly huge, particularly pleasant, or particularly simple to attend (e.g. they happen in a giant tourism vacation spot or as a part of a broader competition that you just’d possible wish to head to).
So whether or not you’ve by no means seen a drone mild present but, otherwise you’re able to indulge in one other, listed here are some objects so as to add to your calendar so you may witness your individual, in-person drone mild present in 2024:
Prime drone mild exhibits to observe in 2024
Drone mild exhibits in February 2024
Bradenton Space River Regatta
Date: Friday, February 16
Location: Inexperienced Bridge, Palmetto, Florida
How one can watch: This drone present will kick off a weekend of powerboat racing and different festivities in a civic occasion that’s free to the general public. The present will likely be placed on by the oldsters at Sky Components. Study extra concerning the Bradenton Space River Regatta drone present right here.
New Baltimore Lions Winterfest
Date: Saturday, February 24
Location: New Baltimore, Maryland
How one can watch: This drone present is ready to be pleasant as a result of it’s centered round a complete competition — plus it’s for charity. The annual fundraising occasion will function leisure, meals & beverage, merchandise, video games, and actions, with proceeds supporting the New Baltimore Lions Membership and its charities. The present is placed on by Starlight Aerial Productions, which was based in 2016 in southwestern Michigan.
Drone mild exhibits in March 2024
Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo
Date: Saturday and Sunday nights, from Friday, March 1 by means of Sunday, March 17
Location: Houston, Texas
How one can watch: The Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo is a large, annual occasion that first launched in 1932. And 2024 marks the second time that drones are part of it. Past drones, the occasion entails a large variety of festivities together with a carnival, wine present, 5K and 10K race, downtown rodeo parade, path trip and barbecue contest. In fact, the centerpiece is the world’s largest livestock present and rodeo.
The drone present will happen every Saturday and Sunday night time throughout the Rodeo’s three-week occasion, scheduled for Feb. 27-March 17, 2024. The present will likely be placed on by the oldsters at Sky Components. Study extra concerning the rodeo’s drone present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in April 2024
Thunder Over Louisville
Date: Saturday, April 20
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
How one can watch: It is a must-attend occasion for aviation lovers, because it’s a lot greater than a drone present. Thunder Over Louisville is without doubt one of the prime 5 air exhibits within the nation, drawing a mean of 625,000 folks every year since 1997. The present is placed on by Starlight Aerial Productions, which was based in 2016 in southwestern Michigan.
Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville
Date: Saturday, April 25 by means of Could 3
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
How one can watch: Grasp round Louisville even longer to take part in Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. The weeklong occasion is known as for the grocery store chain and makes for an enormous competition. Count on per week stuffed with live shows, meals, a youngsters’ inflatable playground, halfway rides and, sure, a nighty drone present. It’s placed on as soon as once more by Starlight Aerial Productions, the identical people powering the Thunder Over Louisville present. Study extra about Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville right here.
Drone mild exhibits in Could 2024
Port of Redwood Metropolis Drone Present
Date: Saturday, Could 4
Location: Redwood Metropolis, California
How one can watch: After a profitable present final 12 months the place the Port of Redwood Metropolis and Open Sky Productions hosted a free maritime-themed drone present over the bay, there’s one other occasion deliberate. There aren’t a ton of particulars but, however final 12 months’s model was a full group competition that includes a dwell band and meals vans.
Music Throughout America Drone & Mild Present
Date: Friday, Could 24 (kickoff night time), with exhibits on most nights by means of Aug. 24
Location: Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
How one can watch: The Music Throughout America Drone & Mild Present is a centerpiece of the theme park that’s positioned solely minutes from downtown Atlanta. The 250 choreographed color-changing drones are synced to music and are accompanied by lasers, too.
Performances are held most nights between Could 24 and August 24, although examine the schedule to verify a efficiency is scheduled in your supposed day. Admission to see the drone present is included if you buy an Points of interest ticket, although you can too attend by buying a standalone ticket. Study extra concerning the Stone Mountain Park drone present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in June 2024
Alameda County Truthful
Date: Friday, June 14 (kickoff night time) by means of July 7 (most nights)
Location: Pleasanton, California
How one can watch: The Alameda County Truthful has used drones in previous years, and the drone mild present is ready to return for the 2024 honest. The California honest options your normal classics like carnival rides, funnel truffles, horse racing and live shows. However the drone present is relatively distinctive — and free with admission. It performs each night time of the honest besides July 4.
And although it’s seen everywhere in the Fairgrounds, the most effective viewing is on the race observe. In the event you’re undecided what days to go to, take into account occurring opening day (Friday, June 14) or Friday, July 28. On these two days, the drone present will likely be accompanied by fireworks. Study extra concerning the Alameda County Truthful right here.
Smoky Mountain Summer season Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 15 (kickoff night time) by means of Aug. 11
Location: Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
How one can watch: Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer season Celebration is a summer season competition held on the Dollywood theme park. You’ll want a theme park ticket to enter, which grants you entry to all of the rides, plus bonus summer season actions like a nighttime dance get together beneath the Wildwood Grove tree and a bubble present. The spotlight although, is a nightly drone present.
The celebration kicks off on June 15, however the drone present runs nightly by means of the length of the competition, which runs by means of Aug. 11. Study extra concerning the Smoky Mountain Summer season Celebration right here.
Drone mild exhibits in July 2024
Luminous Lengthy Sault Lumineux
Date: Saturday, July 6
Location: Lengthy Sault, Ontario, Canada
How one can watch: Lengthy Sault is a group occasion that facilities round a parade of kayaks, canoes, motor boats, and sailboats — all adorned with LED lights. However the lights aren’t contained to only the water. There’s additionally a drone mild present concerned.
Study extra about Lengthy Sault right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, July 19
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
How one can watch: You’ll have to buy a ticket to the A’s sport, which is being performed towards the Los Angeles Angels. Following the baseball sport, followers will likely be allowed to take a seat on the outfield grass to observe the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present received’t begin till the sport is over.
In the event you’re actually on a price range, you’ll be capable to watch it from outdoors the stadium. In the event you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking charge. Or, you could possibly take BART (the area’s prepare system) in and stroll over to the car parking zone, the place you’ll be capable to see the present. Study extra concerning the A’s drone mild present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in August 2024
Grand Haven Coast Guard Competition
Date: Friday, August 2
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan
How one can watch: This large occasion attracts greater than 350,000 folks, starting from folks searching for a giant picnic to high-ranking Coast Guard dignitaries from Washington, D.C. 2024 marks 100 years of the annual occasion which started in 2024. To have a good time, Starlight Drone Reveals will likely be placing on a drone mild present. Study extra concerning the Grand Haven Coast Guard Competition right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, August 23
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
How one can watch: You’ll have to buy a ticket to the A’s sport, which is being performed towards the Milwaukee Brewers. Following the baseball sport, followers will likely be allowed to take a seat on the outfield grass to observe the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present received’t begin till the sport is over.
In the event you’re actually on a price range, you’ll be capable to watch this drone mild present from outdoors the stadium. In the event you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking charge. Or, you could possibly take BART (the area’s prepare system) in and stroll over to the car parking zone, the place you’ll be capable to see the present. Study extra concerning the A’s drone mild present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in September 2024
Disney Electrical Sky Parade (remaining night time)
Date: Monday, September 30
Location: Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, France
How one can watch: You’ll want a Disney ticket to see this Disney drone present — and also you’ll even have to move to France. The Disney Electrical Sky Parade is the most recent in a sequence of drone exhibits which have occurred at Disneyland Park in France.
This one debuted in January 2024 and pays homage to the well-known Disney’s Important Road Electrical Parade — this time placing the long-lasting glowing floats in drone type as they fly across the sky. Although I’ve famous this drone present within the September part, be aware you could already see it as you’re studying this. It runs nightly by means of Sept. 30, 2024.
Drone mild exhibits in October 2024
Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Competition
Date: Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
How one can watch: Whereas most drone exhibits occur at night time to reap the benefits of the night time time darkness, these drone exhibits will occur within the morning — albeit so early it’ll nonetheless be darkish. The annual balloon fiesta is a web site to see with all types of sizzling air balloons in addition to leisure like dancers and musicians. There are balloon races, balloon pin buying and selling, and even different flight exhibitions like a kite present. And at 5:45 on each weekend mornings, there will likely be a drone mild present.
Study extra concerning the Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Competition right here.
Different drone mild exhibits in 2024
Needless to say the above listing just isn’t exhaustive, and new drone mild exhibits are being introduced on a regular basis. I’ve additionally very possible ignored the myriad of small drone exhibits which might be turning into more and more frequent. This listing hones in on exhibits that somebody may be extra inclined to journey to, or which might be in any other case fairly simple to see, corresponding to occurring in a giant public place with free viewing.
And count on loads of vacation time drone exhibits to be introduced later this 12 months. Because it’s up to now out, I don’t count on to listen to about these schedules for at the least a number of months. We’ll be updating this submit with extra exhibits as we study of them.
By the way in which, in the event you’ve obtained an ideal drone mild present suggestion that individuals ought to take into account in 2024, do share it by leaving a remark beneath! And in the event you’re searching for 2024 drone occasions that aren’t simply drone mild exhibits (I’m speaking conferences, expos and seminars), take a look at my information to the finest 2024 drone occasions to attend within the coming 12 months.
