MQ-25 Stingray Carrier-Based Unmanned Tanker Ground Testing Now Underway

Ground testing has begun on the production representative MQ-25 Stingray tanker drone for the U.S. Navy. This comes ahead of an expected first flight before the end of this year, a goal the Navy has previously said will require “a ton of work” to achieve. Manufacturer Boeing disclosed the start of ground testing of the […]

US Navy Demonstrates Multi-Day Solar UAS Flight

The U.S. Navy, in partnership with Skydweller Aero, recently achieved continuous solar-powered unmanned flight during a nonstop three-day test from Stennis, Mississippi. Led by the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), the test of Skydweller UAS marks a significant advancement in both long-endurance solar-powered UAS technology and its potential to enhance maritime intelligence, surveillance, […]

German Aerospace Center’s Solar-Powered HAP-alpha Passes Key Ground Tests

High-altitude uncrewed aircraft can remain in the lower stratosphere for extended periods, performing a wide range of Earth observation and communications tasks – from monitoring shipping lanes and supporting disaster response to providing internet access. The German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) has now taken an important step in the development […]

Piezoelectric Energy Harvesting in Quadcopter UAVs

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles play a crucial role across multiple sectors, particularly in tasks like surveillance and reconnaissance . As the demand for longer flight times and increased autonomy continues to grow, one of the primary challenges is ensuring a reliable and sufficient power supply for the onboard systems. Conventional battery power sources often present limitations […]

Is BVLOS Right Around the Corner? Industry Insights from AUVSI’s Drone and AAM Policy Symposium

At the AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium held July 29–30 in Washington, D.C., industry and government leaders gathered to discuss the future of uncrewed aircraft integration. The annual event brings stakeholders together to explore policy developments, with sessions covering regulatory progress, industry challenges, and what’s next for advanced drone operations. Two key sessions addressed […]

The post Is BVLOS Right Around the Corner? Industry Insights from AUVSI’s Drone and AAM Policy Symposium appeared first on DRONELIFE.

Senator Rick Scott Calls for U.S. Drone Leadership and Security at AUVSI Symposium

Senator Rick Scott Urges Stronger U.S. Drone Policy at AUVSI Symposium Focus on National Security, Domestic Manufacturing, and Industry Engagement At the 2025 AUVSI Drone and AAM Policy Symposium in Washington, D.C., Senator Rick Scott delivered the opening remarks for the second day of the event, emphasizing the urgent need to advance U.S. drone policy […]

The post Senator Rick Scott Calls for U.S. Drone Leadership and Security at AUVSI Symposium appeared first on DRONELIFE.

Project FlyTrap: Strengthening Counter Drone Defenses

DroneShield Joins U.S.-UK Project FlyTrap to Strengthen Counter-Drone Defenses: Joint training in Germany and Poland focuses on CUAS capabilities in response to emerging battlefield threats DroneShield Participates in Multinational Exercise DroneShield, a global provider of counter-unmanned aerial systems (CUAS), is supporting Project FlyTrap—an ongoing U.S.-UK defense initiative led by the U.S. Army V Corps. Held in […]

The post Project FlyTrap: Strengthening Counter Drone Defenses appeared first on DRONELIFE.

New Thermal Drone Technique Emerges from Tragic Texas Flood

Drone team finds new way to use thermal imaging in disaster response By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The search for a victim who was swept away by the massive floodwaters that inundated parts of Central Texas earlier this month has led to the development of an innovative use of drone mapping technology, which could […]

The post New Thermal Drone Technique Emerges from Tragic Texas Flood appeared first on DRONELIFE.

The biggest drone light show companies in the world (and what to know before booking one)

So you’ve watched a drone light show — maybe it was an LED-filled sky during Fourth of July fireworks, or that viral Pikachu swarm in Japan — and now you’re wondering who pulls these things off. The answer? A small but mighty list of drone light show companies that are revolutionizing what it means to light up the night sky.

Drone light shows are having a moment, and it’s not just because they’re eco-friendly alternatives to fireworks. These skyborne spectacles are synchronized, programmable and reusable. And while they look like magic, the reality is: they’re expensive, highly technical and often executed by companies that specialize in precision, performance and pyrotechnic replacement (and sometimes, augmentation).

If you need further proof, just watch these videos of the best drone light shows on display, to-date.

But before booking, know what you’re in for. After all, the cost of a drone light show is no small potatoes. Small shows typically cost at least $20,000 and they only go up from there, so put your investment with a reputable company.

Below, I’ve rounded up the biggest drone light show companies in the world. You’ll get insider info on where they’re based, what types of shows they’ve done, and what you can expect if you ever want to book one yourself. Let’s go.

This list is sorted alphabetically — not by fleet size or price tag. But make no mistake: these are the companies putting on the most impressive aerial spectacles around the world today.

BotLab Dynamics

Based in: New Delhi, India

India’s homegrown drone powerhouse, BotLab Dynamics made headlines with a 1,200-drone light show at the 2023 Cricket World Cup Final. They also hold the Indian national record for a 3,500-drone show over Rashtrapati Bhavan. Their lead time? Roughly one month per show.

Why they matter:
BotLab is proof that world-class shows don’t just come from Silicon Valley. They’re advancing South Asia’s drone industry with precision, scale, and deep university ties via IIT Delhi.

Dronisos

Based in: Bordeaux, France (USA, Dubai, UK)

Dronisos is behind some of the most jaw-dropping drone shows at Disneyland Paris, including the Bastille Day drone spectacle with 1,495 drones flying over Sleeping Beauty Castle as well as recurring nightly Disney drone shows.

And that’s not the only theme park they’ve flown over. I watched their Epic Universe drone show to celebrate opening night at the epic new park in Orlando.

Why they matter:
They specialize in indoor and outdoor shows for theme parks and have a stronghold in the European entertainment industry. Their new Orlando hub makes them a serious player in U.S. markets.

Firefly Drone Shows

Based in: Detroit, Michigan 

Firefly is based in America, making it an ideal pick for businesses looking to support other American drone companies. Firefly offers two options: they’ll produce your drone show or sell you the gear to do it yourself. That makes them a favorite for small-town events, colleges, and creative agencies dipping a toe into drone show territory.

Why they matter:
They cater to smaller, local shows and are among the few that empower buyers to run their own shows — a DIY-friendly option if you’re tech-savvy.

Geoscan

Based in: St. Petersburg, Russia

Geoscan is a serious heavyweight with a fleet of over 3,000 drones. Their drones are all under 250 grams, which sidesteps certain regulatory restrictions — especially relevant in international airspaces.

Cost example: A 100-drone show starts at $26,500, with prices rising based on complexity and storytelling elements.

Why they matter:
They’ve produced over 100 shows and offer both massive scale and high-end animation tools.

HighGreat

Based in: Shenzhen, China

HighGreat isn’t just a drone show company — it’s a drone manufacturer. With an end-to-end production pipeline, they’ve executed over 5,000 shows in 300 cities, including at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Why they matter:
They own the tech, design, and supply chain. That means faster production cycles and tighter show integration — and they can scale like nobody else.

Lumasky

Based in: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

With up to 7,000 drones at their disposal, Lumasky puts on glitzy, high-end shows for global brands like Samsung, Lexus, FIFA, and McDonald’s (yes, including golden arches in the sky over Panama).

Why they matter:
They’ve been flying since 2018 and dominate the luxury brand activation scene — particularly in the Middle East.

Nova Sky Stories

Based in: Munich, Germany 

After acquiring Intel’s drone fleet, Nova Sky Stories now commands one of the world’s largest drone arsenals — over 9,000 drones. They’ve collaborated with events like Formula 1 and recently worked with the Oceanic Preservation Society on a climate-awareness drone show in NYC.

Why they matter:
This is the future-forward, storytelling-first drone show company. Think of them as the narrative voice in the sky.

Sky Elements

Based in: Fort Worth, Texas

Sky Elements is arguably the most prolific American drone show company, known for setting multple Guinness World Records including “Largest Fictional Character made with a multi-rotors or drones” and “Largest aerial images made with multi-rotors of drones.”

Their shows include a 400-drone light show at the 65th Grammy Awards, Serena Williams’ gender reveal party​ and the Oakland Athletics Star Wars Light Show​. Check out Drone Girl’s saved instagram stories for a behind-a-scene look at the Oakland A’s Star Wars light show.

Prices for a drone light show from SkyElements start at $15,000 for a smaller stock show to much higher amounts for larger, more intricate performances. Unsurprisingly, Sky Elements is largely considered the biggest of all the American drone show companies.

Why they matter:
They’re the top U.S. company by volume — including producing 40 drone shows over one weekend during the 2023 Fourth of July.

SKYMAGIC

Based in: Singapore (UK and USA)

If you watched King Charles III’s coronation celebrations, you’ve seen SKYMAGIC’s work. They also produced the viral Pikachu Weekend drone show in Japan.

Why they matter:
They’re known for cultural precision and elegance. SKYMAGIC blends artistry with scale, often across multi-location performances.

UVify

Based in: Seattle, Washington (U.S.A., Canada, and China) 

UVify is an American drone company based in Seattle that conducts R&D and manufacturing in Korea.

UVify’s IFO drone show won “Best LED Light Show Drone” award at LDI 2023. UVify also sells their drones to be used for other light shows, Sky Elements being their largest client.  The IFO model, which is designed for light shows, is priced at $1,700 per drone. This price includes the complete ground control systems, additional software, 24/7 support, and training. They’ve performed notable shows for events including a K-Pop concert and Hyundai’s annual countdown, showcasing their innovation and global reach​​.

Want to buy a UVify IFO drone? Mention UVify promo code DGIFO to your UVify sales representative to receive a 5% discount plus an additional free battery and set of high-performance props per IFO. 

Why they matter:
They’re democratizing the drone show industry by making creative tools more accessible to small businesses and artists. They’re famously behind the light show drone rental program called FAB (Fleet Augmentation by UVify).

Verge Aero

Based in: Austin, Texas

Verge Aero has been featured on events ranging from President Biden’s victory celebration to America’s Got Talent: Extreme to Macy’s 4th of July celebration in NYC. Verge Aero recently launched a new software tool, Verge Aero Composer. The software aims to make the drone show industry more accessible by allowing individuals to create their own drone shows—no technical experience required. 

Did you find this guide to the world’s top drone show companies helpful? If so, consider making a donation to TheDroneGirl! We keep this site alive and fresh (and we pay our writers a fair wage!) thanks to donations like yours!

Make a one-time donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate


Make a monthly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate monthly


Make a yearly donation

Your contribution is appreciated.

Donate yearly

The post The biggest drone light show companies in the world (and what to know before booking one) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

US to Buy Drones from Ukraine

The US will buy drones from Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky has tasked Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Rustem Umerov, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, and Presidential Advisor for Strategic Issues Oleksandr Kamyshin to prepare contracts for $10, 20 and 30 billion. “Next – with America, with President Trump, we agreed that they will […]