Russian forces have begun equipping ‘Gerbera’ decoy drones with explosive warheads, deploying them in nighttime attacks alongside Shahed-136 drones. This was reported by Serhii Flesh, a military expert specializing in radio technology. “In the white, polystyrene air defense ‘decoys’ known as Gerbera, we are now seeing various types of warheads, ranging from 3 to 5 […]
The American startup company XDOWN recently announced details of a state-of-the-art, throwable tactical drone designed for quick and stealthy use. Known as the P.S. Killer (PSK), the unmanned aerial system (UAS) bears a strong resemblance to an NFL football, which is no mistake. According to XDOWN, the shape of the 3.7-pound PSK allows users to […]
A man has been convicted for drunk-driving a drone in what is thought to be the first case of its kind in Sweden. The 55-year-old man was found guilty in July of flying the device at a classic car event in Rättvik, a town in Dalarna, central Sweden, in a temporary no-fly zone. Police noticed […]
A Ukrainian military drone unit said it has developed a way to counter an increasingly deadly weapon — Russian first-person view (FPV) drones that use fiber optic cables instead of radio waves to connect with their controllers, making them impervious to jamming and other forms of electronic warfare. The Magyar Birds Brigade claims it has […]
Turkish drone manufacturer Baykar has established a subsidiary in Morocco to set up a maintenance facility for the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) it has sold to Rabat, according to Middle East Eye. The subsidiary, named “Atlas Defence,” was officially registered with the Moroccan Trade Registry on December 5, 2024. According to an announcement published in Morocco’s […]
Looking for a way to meet other drone pilots in-person? There hasn’t been a ton in the way of large-scale meetups. But finally, the Palm Springs Drone Fest offers something this industry has desperately needed.
Sure, there are conferences focused almost entirely on the business side. There are targeted events for industries like DFR or law. But what about huge celebration around the pure joy of drones? Palm Springs Drone Fest is it.
This will be the ultimate drone fan event — bringing together hundreds of people who love all facets of drones. The Palm Springs Drone Fest is set for March 21 to 23, 2025, at Palm Springs High School — and I expected it to be the best (and most fun) drone event of 2025. Palm Springs is located in southern California’s Sonoran Desert and is famous for its resorts (and also for hosting the famous Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival). With this, maybe it’ll become famous for its drone festival, too.
Why Palm Springs Drone Fest is a game-changer
Why is Palm Springs Drone Fest going to be so good? Because it’s a full-on celebration of all things drone. With high-speed FPV drone racing, an electrifying drone soccer tournament, an inspiring film festival and a trade show packed with the latest and greatest in drone tech, I’m betting this will be premier event for anyone who loves drones as much as you do.
As is stands today, large-scale drone festivals like this are rare. While there are scattered drone meetups, competitions and educational conferences across the country, few offer the comprehensive experience of Palm Springs Drone Fest. Whether you’re into high-adrenaline drone sports, cinematic aerial photography, or simply networking with fellow drone lovers, this event is set to be a must-attend destination for the drone community.
And it should be affordable, too. With so many resorts in Palm Springs, the plentiful lodging supply gives you options in finding a room rate that won’t bust your budget. Plus, one-day tickets to this event start at $30 plus fees.
The action-packed lineup for Palm Springs Drone Fest
Drone Fest isn’t just about watching others fly — it’s about getting involved. The event includes:
Drone Soccer World Cup Qualifiers – Witness (or compete in) fast-paced drone soccer matches.
FPV & Drone Racing – Experience the thrill of first-person drone racing.
Drone Film Festival – Show off your cinematic drone skills in a high-stakes competition.
Trade Show – Check out the latest innovations in drone technology.
Breakout Sessions – Learn from industry experts about drone business opportunities, film production, and even drone-based search and rescue.
Hands-on Learning – Fly with the Korean Drone Soccer National Team or train to be a drone soccer official.
Drone Light Show – End the festival with a spectacular display of synchronized drones lighting up the Palm Springs sky.
Make it a vacation: why Palm Springs is the perfect venue
Palm Springs isn’t just a great place to fly drones—it’s a great place to relax and explore. With its ideal flying weather, hip hotels and ultra-convenient airport location, it’s a dream destination for drone fans looking to mix business with pleasure.
Weather: Palm Springs’ sunny skies and minimal wind make it perfect for drone activities.
Location: The Palm Springs International Airport is just minutes from the event venue, making travel effortless.
Accommodations: Whether you’re into luxury resorts, boutique hotels, or stylish Airbnbs, Palm Springs has plenty of top-notch places to stay.
Beyond Drones: When you’re not flying, explore mid-century modern architecture, incredible hiking trails. and the vibrant downtown scene.
Register now for Palm Springs Drone Fest
This is the first Palm Springs Drone Fest, and you don’t want to miss being part of history. Tickets are on sale now. And since you can get a refund anytime up to seven days before the event (aside from fees), lock in yours so they don’t sell out (and you don’t sell out).
A one-day pass costs $33.85 after fees, and includes the entrance fee and access to the breakout sessions, the Drone Film Festival, the trade show, tournament viewing, all events, and free parking on one day. But since the event spans a whole weekend, you’ll likely want the three-day, all-access pass. That way you can take advantage of all the components of drones, from the drone light show to the drone soccer tournament to the film fest.
Oh, and rumor has it that I’ll be there too! If you want to meet up in person, I’m thinking this is the spot!
Whether you’re coming to compete, learn, connect or simply be amazed, this is the ultimate drone event to mark on your 2025 calendar. See you in Palm Springs!
Collaboration Expands Capabilities for Public Safety, Infrastructure, and Utilitie Advexure, a U.S.-based provider of drone systems and technology solutions, has announced a partnership with MatrixSpace, a company specializing in AI-enhanced radar sensing. This collaboration aims to improve drone operations and perimeter security for public safety, infrastructure, and utility applications. Strengthening Detection and Security Advexure’s expertise […]
With a unique omnidirectional propulsion system and AI-driven flight capabilities, the HAGAMOSphere™ sets new standards for maneuverability and precision in drone technology. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Japanese technology firm DIC Corporation recently announced that their omnidirectional “multicopter”, the HAGAMOSphere™, […]
New 1km Weather Model Provides Hyper-Local Forecasting for Businesses Companies in energy, insurance, aviation, and agriculture can now track weather events at a street-level resolution with Meteomatics’ new U.S. weather model. The model, which covers the contiguous U.S. at a resolution of 1 kilometer, offers nine times the detail of current leading weather solutions that […]
Company to use tethered drones to generate power By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill When thinking about wind-generated electrical power, most people envision an array of massive wind turbines, each as tall as a 20-story building, with blades averaging about 210 feet in length. However, a Durham, North Carolina start-up company is developing a system […]
Russian forces have begun equipping ‘Gerbera’ decoy drones with explosive warheads, deploying them in nighttime attacks alongside Shahed-136 drones. This was reported by Serhii Flesh, a military expert specializing in radio technology. “In the white, polystyrene air defense ‘decoys’ known as Gerbera, we are now seeing various types of warheads, ranging from 3 to 5 […]
