Izhevsk-based group of companies, “Unmanned Systems,” is participating for the first time in the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where it is showcasing its flagship dual-use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Supercam S350. Concurrently, the Kalashnikov Group is also in Abu Dhabi, presenting a modernised version of the Supercam S350 UAV – […]
The United Arab Emirates’ Edge Group unveiled its unmanned helicopter HT-750 at the International Defence Exhibition & Conference (IDEX) 2025 held in Abu Dhabi from 17 to 21 February.The 1:1 scale model of the HT-750 displayed at IDEX 2025 featured an exoskeleton frame, a modular pod, and a tail boom that terminates in a ‘T-tail’ […]
Poland’s largest private defence technology firm, WB Group, showcased its battle-tested Warmate Tube-Launched (TL) Loitering Munition System for the first time at Aero India 2025. In a significant move, the company, through its Indian subsidiary WB Electronics India Pvt Ltd, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with an Indian firm. Under this agreement, WB […]
– Tata Elxsi, a global supplier of design and technology services, and Garuda Aerospace, a pioneering UAV manufacturer, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding at Aero India 2025, Asia’s biggest Airshow, being held from February 10th –14th. This partnership establishes a dedicated UAV design, engineering, and certification center to develop indigenous drone technologies specifically for […]
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!
Russian defence manufacturer Kalashnikov Concern has announced it will showcase a 7.62mm RPL-7 belt-fed light machine gun and KUB-SM guided munitions reconnaissance and strike system at the IDEX 2025 international defence exhibition next month. The new systems will be shown in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates from February 17 to 21. The expo features more […]
The most important Indoor Aerobatic Aeromodelling event of 2025 – the FAI F3P World Championships for Indoor Aerobatic Model Aircraft –starts this Sunday 2 February in Widen, Switzerland. The world’s best senior and junior pilots will put their precision aerobatic manoeuvres to the test in the hopes of gaining a place on the podium. The sixth edition […]
ZALA’s Lancet-E unmanned aerial system was displayed at the Vietnam Defence Expo 2024 international arms exhibition in Hanoi. ZALA presented the export analogue of the well-known Lancet series guided munitions carrier for the first time in Southeast Asia, attracting considerable interest. The ZALA exposition was visited by Pham Minh Tinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist […]
As the drone industry continues to evolve, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year packed with must-attend events for drone enthusiasts, professionals, and innovators. Whether you’re looking to network with industry leaders, discover the latest technology or simply bask in a breathtaking drone show, these events are worth adding to your calendar.
Since many of the 2025 drone events haven’t yet locked in their dates, we’ll continuously update this list as we get official dates, locations and times. Bookmark this page for ongoing updates of more 2025 drone events to come.
Date: January 7-10, 2025 Location: Las Vegas, Nevada Why Attend: CES is a global stage for innovation, and drones always take the spotlight. Expect groundbreaking announcements from major brands like DJI, Autel Robotics, and Skydio, alongside startups unveiling game-changing technology. Live demos and hands-on experiences make this a must-attend event.
Date: Feb. 1, 2025 Location: Miami, Florida Why Attend: The DRL U.S. Air Force Miami Invitational is a massive drone race held at LoanDepot Park, which is most famously known as the home of the Miami Marlins.
Tickets are on sale now, coming in at $25 per adult. Discounted tickets are available to children and seniors. And if you buy for a group of adults (that’s five or more), you can get tickets for just $20 each.
AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025
Date: May 19-22, 2025 Location: George Bush Convention Center in Houston, Texas Why Attend: The world’s largest event for autonomous and unmanned systems, AUVSI XPONENTIAL is perfect for professionals seeking insights into the latest drone applications. Expect exhibits, keynote speeches, and discussions on emerging regulations and trends.
Date: May 19, 2025 Location: George Bush Convention Center in Houston, Texas Why Attend: Besides the main XPONENTIAL event, there are a few co-located events, meaning you can make one trip and double-dip on the learning and networking.
One of the top co-located events is the one-day Law-Tech Connect Workshop, which typically devolves into a standing room-only crowd of people seeking the latest updates on global drone regulations and advanced air mobility, beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and UTM, threat lessons from current conflicts and more.
Date: June 18-19, 2025 Location: Odense, Denmark Why Attend: This is one of the top-tier, professional drone events held in Europe. It’s hosted by Odense Robotics and the UAS Denmark International Test Center, which is the site of key testing facilities and BVLOS flights. It draws more than 500 people each year, which is a manageable size contained to serious drone users.
Date: August 7-17, 2025 Location: Chengdu, China Why Attend: The World Games, organized by the International World Games Association (IWGA), is the second largest multi-sport event in the world after the Olympic Games. But unlike the Olympics, this massive sporting event includes drone racing.
The Drone Racing event will happen in a stadium at Dong’an Lake Sports Park, located in Chengdu’s Longquanyi District. Held as a mixed gender event, it’ll feature 32 racers who battle in an elimination round style competition.
Need a last-minute Christmas vacation idea this year? Drone fans should consider the Orlando World Center Marriott, which is offering an entirely new hotel amenity that we can get behind.
From Dec. 25 to Dec. 30, 2024 the world’s largest Marriott hotel will debut its first-ever holiday-themed drone show, designed by Sky Elements, which was a finalist on America’s Got Talent and America’s largest drone show company. The show will feature 200 synchronized drones lighting up the night sky above the resort’s Falls Pool.
A holiday themed drone show from Sky Elements. (Photo courtesy of Sky Elements)
But the Orlando World Center Marriott is blazing a trail as the first hotel in Orlando to offer such a holiday experience.
“At Orlando World Center Marriott, we want to help our guests experience the magic of the holiday season whether they are at the theme parks or looking to make memories with their family on-property,” said Robert Bray, General Manager at Orlando World Center Marriott.. “We invested in our holiday programming to introduce the best winter experience we have ever created and build new traditions for our guests.”
Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to Orlando World Center Marriott and experience its unique drone show offering:
When and where to watch the Orlando World Center Marriott drone show
A Christmas themed drone show from Sky Elements. (Photo courtesy of Sky Elements)
The Orlando World Center Marriott drone show begins nightly at 8:30 p.m., and each evening presents a unique theme — but all with intricate formations, vibrant colors and holiday cheer.
As far as the best place to watch? The best free-to-watch spot is the Falls Pool area (though you need a wristband to enter, which you get by booking a room at the hotel). Or, if you want a more private experience, book a Holiday Drone View Room. These rooms offer a private balcony vantage point.
Otherwise, non-hotel guests can still find a way in by dining on property. Those folks should do dinner and a show at either the Lobby Bar Terrace or Mikado’s viewing deck.
What drones are used?
Sky Elements uses drones from UVify, which famously makes the IFO drone. IFO drones cost $1,585 a piece, which means this drone show will likely have more than $300,000 worth of gear in the sky.
As it turns out, you can buy one for yourself. Though these drones aren’t sold at traditional electronics retailers, you can get your hands on your own light show fleet by emailing UVify’s sales team. And if you, drop my name. It benefits you! Give them coupon code DGIFO in your email for a 5% discount plus an additional free battery and set of high-performance props per IFO.
Other winter festivities at the Orlando World Center Marriott
The Stockroom bar at the Orlando World Center Marriott. (Photo courtesy of Marriott)
The drone show is certainly the highlight, but that’s far from the only winter festivities happening at this over-the-top hotel. Other activities happening at the hotel this Christmas include:
Silent Night Disco Bash: A festive silent disco party.
Secret Ugly Sweater Bar: Hidden in the resort’s speakeasy, it’s a quirky holiday treat.
Cookie and Gingerbread Decorating: Family-friendly, hands-on fun.
Mermaid & Glow Party: A signature poolside event held on 12/28.
How to save on a stay at the Orlando World Center Marriott
The River Falls pool at the Orlando World Center Marriott. (Photo courtesy of Marriott)
Special booking packages: The property is running a few special offers, including the “Getaway in Our World” package which includes a $50 nightly resort credit and free self-parking. For fans of free hotel breakfast, the “Breakfast Before You Explore” package includes breakfast for two adults and two children.
Cyber Sales: There’s also an early Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale that runs through Travel Tuesday) where you can save 25% on weekend stays through Jan. 20. The deal is even available during Christmas week.
What to know about booking the Orlando World Center Marriott
The days between Christmas and New Year’s are typically bustling at the Orlando World Center Marriott. That’s unsurprising given the hype around the drone show and the fact that many snowbird families flock to enjoy the holiday season somewhere warm. Booking early is advised to secure your spot in the center of the action.
And if you don’t make it this year, have hope. The Orlando World Center Marriott resort said it intends to host more drone shows in the future.
Izhevsk-based group of companies, “Unmanned Systems,” is participating for the first time in the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, where it is showcasing its flagship dual-use Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), the Supercam S350. Concurrently, the Kalashnikov Group is also in Abu Dhabi, presenting a modernised version of the Supercam S350 UAV – […]
