In 2023, I obtained absolutely the privilege to see my first drone gentle present in individual. In 2024, I hope to see many extra — and I hope you do too. Drone gentle exhibits have turn out to be an exciting phenomenon. And notably as merchandise like Verge Aero’s Composer software program and the expansion of corporations making gentle present drones make drone gentle exhibits extra ubiquitous, there’s a very good probability you’ll see a drone gentle present in 2024.
Many drone gentle exhibits occur with little discover, however some are deliberate effectively upfront. I’ve been looking out for these ones which have been giving advance discover. With that, I’ve curated an inventory of among the greatest, public drone gentle exhibits so you can also make journey plans and see them for your self.
That is hardly a complete listing of each drone gentle present taking place in 2024. The truth is, there are tons of that happen in only a month. As an alternative, right here I’ve particularly listed exhibits which might be set to be both particularly massive, particularly pleasant, or particularly simple to attend (e.g. they happen in an enormous tourism vacation spot or as a part of a broader competition that you just’d seemingly need to head to).
So whether or not you’ve by no means seen a drone gentle present but, otherwise you’re able to take pleasure in one other, listed below are some gadgets so as to add to your calendar so you possibly can witness your individual, in-person drone gentle present in 2024:
High drone gentle exhibits to observe in 2024
Drone gentle exhibits in February 2024
Bradenton Space River Regatta
Date: Friday, February 16
Location: Inexperienced Bridge, Palmetto, Florida
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 parents at Sky Components. Study 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
Methods to watch: This drone present is about to be pleasant as a result of it’s centered round a whole competition — plus it’s for charity. The annual fundraising occasion will characteristic 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 gentle exhibits in March 2024
Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo
Date: Saturday and Sunday nights, from Friday, March 1 by Sunday, March 17
Location: Houston, Texas
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 experience 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 evening through the Rodeo’s three-week occasion, scheduled for Feb. 27-March 17, 2024. The present will probably be placed on by the parents at Sky Components. Study extra in regards to the rodeo’s drone present right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in April 2024
Thunder Over Louisville
Date: Saturday, April 20
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Methods to watch: This can be a must-attend occasion for aviation fans, because it’s a lot greater than a drone present. Thunder Over Louisville is among 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 Could 3
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Methods to watch: Grasp round Louisville even longer to take part in Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville. The weeklong occasion is called for the grocery store chain and makes for an enormous competition. Count on every week crammed with concert events, meals, a children’ 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. Study extra about Kroger’s Fest-a-Ville right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in Could 2024
Port of Redwood Metropolis Drone Present
Date: Saturday, Could 4
Location: Redwood Metropolis, California
Methods to 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 neighborhood competition that includes a stay band and meals vans.
Music Throughout America Drone & Mild Present
Date: Friday, Could 24 (kickoff evening), with exhibits on most nights by Aug. 24
Location: Stone Mountain Park in Stone Mountain Park, Georgia
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 Could 24 and August 24, although verify the schedule to verify a efficiency is scheduled in your supposed day. Admission to see the drone present is included whenever you buy an Sights ticket, although you may also attend by buying a standalone ticket. Study extra in regards to the Stone Mountain Park drone present right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in June 2024
Alameda County Honest
Date: Friday, June 14 (kickoff evening) by July 7 (most nights)
Location: Pleasanton, California
Methods to watch: The Alameda County Honest has used drones in previous years, and the drone gentle present is about to return for the 2024 honest. The California honest options your ordinary classics like carnival rides, funnel muffins, horse racing and concert events. However the drone present is somewhat distinctive — and free with admission. It performs each evening of the honest besides July 4.
And although it’s seen all around the Fairgrounds, the perfect viewing is on the race observe. 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. Study extra in regards to the Alameda County Honest right here.
Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration
Date: Saturday, June 15 (kickoff evening) by Aug. 11
Location: Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee
Methods to watch: Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration is a summer time 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 time actions like a nighttime dance celebration 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 the period of the competition, which runs by Aug. 11. Study extra in regards to the Smoky Mountain Summer time Celebration right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in July 2024
Luminous Lengthy Sault Lumineux
Date: Saturday, July 6
Location: Lengthy Sault, Ontario, Canada
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 gentle present concerned.
Study extra about Lengthy Sault right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, July 19
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
Methods to 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 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 received’t begin till the sport is over.
When you’re actually on a funds, you’ll be capable to watch it from outdoors the stadium. When you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking charge. Or, you may 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 in regards to the A’s drone gentle present right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in August 2024
Grand Haven Coast Guard Competition
Date: Friday, August 2
Location: Grand Haven, Michigan
Methods to watch: This huge occasion attracts greater than 350,000 folks, starting from folks on the lookout for an enormous 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 probably be placing on a drone gentle present. Study extra in regards to the Grand Haven Coast Guard Competition right here.
A’s Drone Mild Present
Date: Friday, August 23
Location: Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, California
Methods to 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 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 received’t begin till the sport is over.
When you’re actually on a funds, you’ll be capable to watch this drone gentle present from outdoors the stadium. When you park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking charge. Or, you may 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 in regards to the A’s drone gentle present right here.
Drone gentle exhibits in September 2024
Disney Electrical Sky Parade (last evening)
Date: Monday, September 30
Location: Disneyland Paris, Marne-la-Vallée, Paris, France
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 collection 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 Predominant Road Electrical Parade — this time placing the enduring glowing floats in drone type as they fly across the sky. Although I’ve famous this drone present within the September part, notice you can already see it as you’re studying this. It runs nightly by Sept. 30, 2024.
Drone gentle exhibits in October 2024
Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Competition
Date: Saturday, October 5 and Sunday, October 6
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Methods to watch: Whereas most drone exhibits occur at evening to reap the benefits of the evening 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 kinds 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 gentle present.
Study extra in regards to the Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Competition right here.
Different drone gentle exhibits in 2024
Understand that the above listing is just not exhaustive, and new drone gentle exhibits are being introduced on a regular basis. I’ve additionally very seemingly ignored the myriad of small drone exhibits which might be changing into more and more frequent. This listing hones in on exhibits that somebody is perhaps extra inclined to journey to, or which might be in any other case fairly simple to see, resembling occurring in an enormous public place with free viewing.
And anticipate loads of vacation time drone exhibits to be introduced later this 12 months. Because it’s to this point out, I don’t anticipate to listen to about these schedules for no less than a number of months. We’ll be updating this put up with extra exhibits as we be taught of them.
By the best way, when you’ve obtained an amazing drone gentle present advice that folks ought to think about in 2024, do share it by leaving a remark under! And when you’re on the lookout for 2024 drone occasions that aren’t simply drone gentle exhibits (I’m speaking conferences, expos and seminars), take a look at my information to the perfect 2024 drone occasions to attend within the coming 12 months.
