By
Indoors and outdoors, drone shows are always a hit. Financial and Insurance Conference Professionals (FICP) kicked off the opening session of its Annual Conference with a ballroom drone show. Land O’Lakes chose a drone show above the Barcelona skyline as the centerpiece of its European cruise incentive. Brands from Coca-Cola to Formula 1 have splashed their logos across the night sky using drones.
The United States went from fewer than 30 drone shows a year five years ago to roughly 1,500 scheduled in 2026, with a typical show running $15,000 to $100,000, according to Rick Boss, president and CEO of drone show producer Sky Elements.
Part of their popularity comes from drones’ ability to render a crisp logo or product silhouette in the night sky — something fireworks can’t do.
Before you get started, here are 8 things you need to know to plan a drone show.
1. Costs vary
The industry standard cost is between $200 and $500 per drone for small-scale projects, according to UAV Pro. For a 50- to 100-drone show, the cost can range between $7,000 and $20,000. This is where most first-time buyers start, with enough resolution for a recognizable brand mark and 2 to3 scene changes. At the high end, 500 drones (a price tag in the $80,000 to $120,000 range) turn the sky into a canvas, and can create complex animated sequences and formations that can be seen from a mile away.
2. Shows are customized for clients
Drone show designers work with clients to create a storyboard and incorporate text, graphics, and logos unique to the event into the design. Be sure to include a budget for professional video coverage of the show to make the most of this branding opportunity.
3. Interactive elements are optional
Companies can incorporate LED bracelets into the show, and sync them to drone cues. The effect of the lights across the crowd amplifies the experience for attendees. Plan for an extra $5 to $10 per band, depending on quantity. You’ll also need staff to distribute them and then collect them at the end of the show to be recycled.
4. Weather can be an issue
Strong wind and heavy rain can delay or postpone a drone show. In light to moderate rain, fireworks might still go off, but drones will be grounded. In thunderstorms, both would be canceled.
5. Ask what’s included
Every UAV Pro quote, for example, includes custom show design and animation, the drone fleet, FAA Part 107-certified pilots and ground crew, airspace authorization and waivers, full insurance with certificates issued to your venue, site survey and safety planning, music synchronization, and complete production and teardown.
6. Research safety standards
Drone shows malfunctioned in Sydney, Australia earlier this year. They also resulted in spectator injuries during a show in Orlando in 2024. It’s important to research the safety measures an operator has in place. Verge Aero, for example, promotes that it has EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) approval, and outlines its five-part safety process on its website.
7. Permitting can take months
The provider will handle the filing of the FAA Part 107 waiver, but the process can take 90 to 200 days for a standard show, and longer for a complex one. Permitting costs typically range from $1,000 to $5,000.
8. Hybrids are hot
The hybrid model, also known as a pyro drone show, merges GPS-guided drones with precisely triggered fireworks. It’s becoming one of the fastest-growing formats for halftime shows and music festivals, and is being used at major celebrations to replace segments of traditional fireworks displays.
