This week marks our country’s 247^th birthday (just three more years until the Semiquincentennial – start your shopping now!), and what’s more American than watching a fireworks show to celebrate our Independence Day?  No matter where you see a colorful display light up the night sky, it’s always an exciting time of year.

That being said, advances in drone technology are now being utilized by the entertainment industry, most notably in the form of drone shows.  Similar to a fireworks display, these have several advantages over fireworks.  They are not a fire hazard, they are relatively quiet (for those folks and pets who don’t like the “booms”), and they can be programmed and customized to literally create pictures or moving objects of almost anything that can be imagined.

With each passing year, the capability, range, and complexity of these drones gets better and better, while the drones themselves get smaller and smaller.  Early drone shows were initially relegated to just a few objects flying in tandem at one time, but newer and more expensive shows can utilize hundreds of individual units, all synchronized to music and creating wonderfully extravagant displays that can entertain audiences of all ages.

For an example of just how fanciful these shows have become, check out this video from a recent show presented in Shenzen, China:

Home enthusiasts can even create their own displays, allowing shows to be produced with as little as fifty drones – although the detail and capability is generally defined by how many units can be flown at once.

There are several large-scale companies (Firefly, Open Sky, and Sky Elements are some of the current players) that specialize in drone shows, and the cost of these shows continues to come down in price, allowing them to compete with even the most elaborate fireworks displays.  More and more cities are offering these shows throughout the year, and you can check the web for possible shows near you.

For something new this summer, check out a drone show live and in person if you get the chance.  It’s a new, innovative, and unforgettable take on nighttime entertainment in the sky!