In 2023, I received absolutely the privilege to see my first drone mild present in individual. In 2024, I hope to see many extra — and I hope you do too. Drone mild exhibits have grow to be an exhilarating phenomenon. And significantly as merchandise like Verge Aero’s Composer software program and the expansion of firms making mild present drones make drone mild exhibits extra ubiquitous, there’s a superb probability you’ll see a drone mild present in 2024.
Many drone mild exhibits occur with little discover, however some are deliberate properly prematurely. I’ve been looking out for these ones which have been giving advance discover. With that, I’ve curated an inventory 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 checklist of each drone mild present taking place in 2024. Actually, there are lots of that happen in only a month. As an alternative, right here I’ve particularly listed exhibits which can be set to be both particularly massive, particularly pleasant, or particularly straightforward to attend (e.g. they happen in a giant tourism vacation spot or as a part of a broader pageant that you just’d probably need to head to).
So whether or not you’ve by no means seen a drone mild present but, otherwise you’re able to take pleasure in one other, listed below are some objects so as to add to your calendar so you’ll be able to witness your individual, in-person drone mild present in 2024:
High 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
Easy methods to 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 probably be placed on by the oldsters at Sky Components. Be taught extra in regards to the Bradenton Space River Regatta drone present right here.
New Baltimore Lions Winterfest
Date: Saturday, February 24
Location: New Baltimore, Maryland
Easy methods to watch: This drone present is ready to be pleasant as a result of it’s centered round a whole pageant — 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 via Sunday, March 17
Location: Houston, Texas
Easy methods to watch: The Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo is an enormous, annual occasion that first launched in 1932. And 2024 marks the second time that drones are part of it. Past drones, the occasion entails an enormous 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 in the course of the Rodeo’s three-week occasion, scheduled for Feb. 27-March 17, 2024. The present will probably be placed on by the oldsters at Sky Components. Be taught extra in regards to the rodeo’s drone present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in April 2024
Thunder Over Louisville
Date: Saturday, April 20
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Easy methods to watch: This can be 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 median 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 via Might 3
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Easy methods to watch: Cling 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 a large pageant. Anticipate 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 of us powering the Thunder Over Louisville present. Be taught extra about Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville right here.
Drone mild exhibits in Might 2024
Port of Redwood Metropolis Drone Present
Date: Saturday, Might 4
Location: Redwood Metropolis, California
Easy methods to watch: After a profitable present final yr 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 yr’s model was a full neighborhood pageant that includes a dwell band and meals vehicles.
Music Throughout America Drone & Mild Present
Date: Friday, Might 24 (kickoff night time), with exhibits on most nights via Aug. 24
Location: Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
Easy methods to 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 Might 24 and August 24, although verify the schedule to substantiate a efficiency is scheduled in your supposed day. Admission to see the drone present is included once you buy an Points of interest ticket, although you can even attend by buying a standalone ticket. Be taught extra in regards to the Stone Mountain Park drone present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in June 2024
Alameda County Truthful
Date: Friday, June 14 (kickoff night time) via July 7 (most nights)
Location: Pleasanton, California
Easy methods to 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 ordinary classics like carnival rides, funnel desserts, horse racing and live shows. However the drone present is slightly 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 perfect viewing is on the race monitor. When you’re unsure what days to go to, think about happening opening day (Friday, June 14) or Friday, July 28. On these two days, the drone present will probably be accompanied by fireworks. Be taught extra in regards to the Alameda County Truthful right here.
Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 15 (kickoff night time) via Aug. 11
Location: Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Easy methods to watch: Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration is a summer time pageant 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 time 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 via the length of the pageant, which runs via Aug. 11. Be taught extra in regards to the Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration right here.
Drone mild exhibits in July 2024
Luminous Lengthy Sault Lumineux
Date: Saturday, July 6
Location: Lengthy Sault, Ontario, Canada
Easy methods to watch: Lengthy Sault is a neighborhood 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.
Be taught extra about Lengthy Sault right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, July 19
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
Easy methods to watch: You’ll have to buy a ticket to the A’s recreation, which is being performed towards the Los Angeles Angels. Following the baseball recreation, followers will probably be allowed to sit down on the outfield grass to observe the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present gained’t begin till the sport is over.
When you’re actually on a price range, you’ll be capable to watch it from exterior the stadium. When you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking payment. Or, you would 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. Be taught extra in regards to the A’s drone mild present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in August 2024
Grand Haven Coast Guard Pageant
Date: Friday, August 2
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan
Easy methods to watch: This huge 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 rejoice, Starlight Drone Reveals will probably be placing on a drone mild present. Be taught extra in regards to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Pageant right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, August 23
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
Easy methods to watch: You’ll have to buy a ticket to the A’s recreation, which is being performed towards the Milwaukee Brewers. Following the baseball recreation, followers will probably be allowed to sit down on the outfield grass to observe the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present gained’t begin till the sport is over.
When you’re actually on a price range, you’ll be capable to watch this drone mild present from exterior the stadium. When you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking payment. Or, you would 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. Be taught extra in regards to the A’s drone mild present right here.
Drone mild exhibits in September 2024
Disney Electrical Sky Parade (closing night time)
Date: Monday, September 30
Location: Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, France
Easy methods to 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 Primary Avenue Electrical Parade — this time placing the enduring glowing floats in drone kind as they fly across the sky. Although I’ve famous this drone present within the September part, notice that you could already see it as you’re studying this. It runs nightly via Sept. 30, 2024.
Drone mild exhibits in October 2024
Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Pageant
Date: Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Easy methods to 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 website 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 probably be a drone mild present.
Be taught extra in regards to the Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Pageant right here.
Different drone mild exhibits in 2024
Remember that the above checklist isn’t exhaustive, and new drone mild exhibits are being introduced on a regular basis. I’ve additionally very probably ignored the myriad of small drone exhibits which can be changing into more and more widespread. This checklist hones in on exhibits that somebody could be extra inclined to journey to, or which can be in any other case fairly straightforward to see, comparable to occurring in a giant public place with free viewing.
And count on loads of vacation time drone exhibits to be introduced later this yr. Because it’s thus far out, I don’t count on to listen to about these schedules for at the least just a few months. We’ll be updating this publish with extra exhibits as we study of them.
By the way in which, should you’ve received an awesome drone mild present suggestion that folks ought to think about in 2024, do share it by leaving a remark beneath! And should 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 yr.
