In 2023, I obtained 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 turn into 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 very good likelihood you’ll see a drone mild present in 2024.
Many drone mild exhibits occur with little discover, however some are deliberate properly upfront. I’ve been looking out for these ones which were giving advance discover. With that, I’ve curated a listing of among the finest, public drone mild exhibits so you may make journey plans and see them for your self.
That is hardly a complete record of each drone mild present taking place in 2024. In reality, there are tons of that happen in only a month. As a substitute, right here I’ve particularly listed exhibits which can 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 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 indulge in one other, listed here are some gadgets so as to add to your calendar so you possibly can witness your personal, in-person drone mild present in 2024:
Prime drone mild exhibits to look at in 2024
Drone mild 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. Be taught extra concerning 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 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 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 trip and barbecue contest. After all, the centerpiece is the world’s largest livestock present and rodeo.
The drone present will happen every Saturday and Sunday evening throughout 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. Be taught 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
Methods to watch: It is a must-attend occasion for aviation fanatics, because it’s a lot greater than a drone present. Thunder Over Louisville is without doubt one of the high 5 air exhibits within the nation, drawing a median of 625,000 individuals 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 Might 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 known as for the grocery store chain and makes for an enormous pageant. Count on per week stuffed with concert events, 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
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 pageant that includes a reside band and meals vehicles.
Music Throughout America Drone & Mild Present
Date: Friday, Might 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 Might 24 and August 24, although examine the schedule to verify a efficiency is scheduled in your meant day. Admission to see the drone present is included whenever you buy an Points of interest ticket, although it’s also possible to attend by buying a standalone ticket. Be taught extra concerning the Stone Mountain Park drone present right here.
Drone mild 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 mild present is about to return for the 2024 honest. The California honest options your regular classics like carnival rides, funnel desserts, horse racing and concert events. However the drone present is reasonably distinctive — and free with admission. It performs each evening of the honest besides July 4.
And although it’s seen everywhere in the Fairgrounds, the very best viewing is on the race monitor. If you happen to’re undecided what days to go to, contemplate occurring 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 concerning 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 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 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 length of the pageant, which runs by Aug. 11. Be taught extra concerning 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
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
Methods to watch: You’ll must 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 look at the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present gained’t begin till the sport is over.
If you happen to’re actually on a finances, you’ll be capable of watch it from exterior the stadium. If you happen to park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking payment. Or, you can take BART (the area’s practice system) in and stroll over to the car parking zone, the place you’ll be capable of see the present. Be taught 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
Methods to watch: This large occasion attracts greater than 350,000 individuals, starting from individuals in search of 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 fun, Starlight Drone Exhibits will probably be placing on a drone mild present. Be taught 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
Methods to watch: You’ll must 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 look at the drone present. The sport begins at 6:40 p.m., however the drone present gained’t begin till the sport is over.
If you happen to’re actually on a finances, you’ll be capable of watch this drone mild present from exterior the stadium. If you happen to park within the A’s lot, you’ll get hit with a $30 parking payment. Or, you can take BART (the area’s practice system) in and stroll over to the car parking zone, the place you’ll be capable of see the present. Be taught extra concerning the A’s drone mild present right here.
Drone mild 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 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 that you may already see it as you’re studying this. It runs nightly by 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
Methods to watch: Whereas most drone exhibits occur at evening to benefit from 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 web site to see with all kinds of scorching 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 concerning the Albuquerque Worldwide Balloon Competition right here.
Different drone mild exhibits in 2024
Understand that the above record just 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 record hones in on exhibits that somebody may be extra inclined to journey to, or which can be in any other case fairly simple to see, akin to occurring in a giant public place with free viewing.
And anticipate loads of vacation time drone exhibits to be introduced later this 12 months. Because it’s to date out, I don’t anticipate to listen to about these schedules for not less than a couple of months. We’ll be updating this put up with extra exhibits as we be taught of them.
By the way in which, in case you’ve obtained an excellent drone mild present advice that folks ought to contemplate in 2024, do share it by leaving a remark beneath! And in case you’re in search of 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.