Should you’re nonetheless scrambling for New 12 months’s Eve plans, right here’s one thing completely different for NYE 2026: The final word information to New 12 months’s Eve drone exhibits 2025-2026: ditch the crowded ball drop and catch a drone present as a substitute.
This 12 months’s exhibits vary from intimate 200-drone shows to huge 600-drone spectacles synchronized with fireworks. Whether or not you’re on the lookout for a family-friendly early countdown or a midnight extravaganza, listed below are the very best drone exhibits occurring on December 31, 2025.
Drone exhibits to look at for NYE 2026
Las Vegas: Probably the most bold present of the evening
What’s occurring: 600 drones + fireworks from 10 on line casino rooftops + dwell countdown on Sphere’s Exosphere.
When: Midnight (8-minute present).
The place: Drones launch from Las Vegas Occasion Plaza (throughout from Wynn Las Vegas).
Value: Free to look at from the Strip.
Las Vegas goes all-in this 12 months with their first-ever synchronized drone and fireworks show. Fireworks by Grucci is dealing with the pyrotechnics, that are launching from Aria, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, The Strat, Treasure Island, The Venetian, Virgin Inns and Wynn Las Vegas. That’s all whereas 600 drones fly in choreographed vogue alongside them.
The theme is “Rock,” that includes traditional and up to date rock anthems with elevated energy salutes and rapid-fire aerial shells. The finale transitions to a patriotic theme honoring America’s 250th anniversary in 2026, ending with Grucci’s signature Titanium Grand Finale.
The logistics: The Strip closes to site visitors from Tropicana to Spring Mountain Boulevard, creating a large viewing hall. You’ll have loads of area to stake out your spot, however count on huge crowds. Should you’re staying on the Strip, your lodge may supply viewing events, although nothing beats being exterior for the complete sensory expertise. (But it surely’ll be chilly!)
Planning ideas: Ebook lodging now should you haven’t already. Las Vegas lodge charges spike dramatically for NYE. The Strip closure means ride-sharing and taxis can be nightmare gas; plan to stroll or keep throughout the closure zone. Additionally, should you’re planning to look at, ABC’s “Dick Clark’s New 12 months’s Rockin’ Eve” is broadcasting from Vegas with Rob Gronkowski and Julianne Hough beginning at 8 p.m. EST, so that you may catch your self on TV. Get extra particulars right here.
Temecula, California: The early chook particular
What’s occurring: Drone present “grape drop” for East Coast countdown
When: 9:00 p.m. (East Coast midnight)
The place: Civic Heart, 41000 Essential St., Temecula, CA
Value: Free
Temecula’s signature Grape Drop is ideal for anybody who doesn’t wish to keep up till midnight. That is Southern California wine nation, so the “grape drop” theme is sensible. This 12 months, they’re executing it as a drone present slightly than a bodily drop.
The night runs 6-10 p.m. with dwell music from Know Phantasm and Lifetime Rocker, meals distributors and free youngsters’ actions. The drone present occurs at 9 p.m. to coincide with the East Coast countdown, that means you possibly can have fun the brand new 12 months and nonetheless get dwelling at an affordable hour.
Planning ideas: Temecula is about 90 minutes from San Diego and two hours from Los Angeles with out site visitors. It’s additionally wine nation, so should you’re making the drive, take into account reserving a tasting room go to earlier within the day. Simply keep in mind: should you’re consuming wine all afternoon, prepare a chosen driver or rideshare for the night festivities.
Get extra particulars in regards to the Grape Drop right here.
Kissimmee, Florida: Theme park various
What’s occurring: All-new drone present debut at Enjoyable Spot America
When: Shortly earlier than midnight
The place: Enjoyable Spot America Kissimmee, 5700 Enjoyable Spot Means
Value: Park admission required (examine web site for NYE charges)
Enjoyable Spot America, which is close to Orlando, is debuting their first-ever New 12 months’s Eve drone present this 12 months. The park is positioning this as a family-friendly various to the large (and massively crowded) celebrations at close by Walt Disney World and Common Orlando.
The drone present options “coordinated lights and technology-forward visuals” with rides working all through the evening. It’s a smaller-scale manufacturing in comparison with Vegas, however the benefit is environment — you’re in a theme park with sights, not standing on a packed road nook.
Planning ideas: Kissimmee is vacationer central, so lodging are plentiful however e-book quick for NYE. Enjoyable Spot is far smaller than the most important Orlando parks, which implies extra intimate crowds however fewer facilities. The park is about quarter-hour from Disney Springs and 20 minutes from Common Orlando, making it straightforward to mix with an extended Orlando trip. Test their web site for particular NYE hours and admission pricing.
Huntington, New York: An alternative choice to Occasions Sq.
What’s occurring: 200-drone present by Sky Parts (16 Guinness World Document holders)
When: 11:50 p.m. (15-minute present)
The place: Sky above parking zone throughout from Huntington Put up Workplace, Wall Road
Value: Free
Sky Parts is bringing critical credentials to Huntington Village. The corporate that was a semi-finalist on America’s Acquired Expertise additionally holds a number of Guinness World Document titles in drone present manufacturing. The 200 drones will fly greater than 100 toes within the air for a 15-minute, music-choreographed efficiency beginning at 11:50 p.m.
The road social gathering kicks off at 9:30 p.m. with DJ Mike Shortt, and the present is designed as a “family-friendly various to fireworks.” Should you’re within the New York metro space and need one thing much less chaotic than Occasions Sq., that is your transfer.
Planning ideas: Huntington is on Lengthy Island’s North Shore, about an hour from Manhattan by LIRR. Should you’re coming from town, examine prepare schedules prematurely. Service could also be modified for the vacation. The village can be internet hosting the Huntington Vacation Spectacular by means of January 4 with nightly mild exhibits, so you can also make a full night of it. Road parking can be at a premium; arrive early or use the LIRR.
Dallas: Fireworks, LEDs and drones
What’s occurring: 500 drones + 5,000+ pyrotechnic results + 259 LED mild show on Reunion Tower
When: 11:59 p.m.
The place: Launched from Reunion Tower, 300 Reunion Blvd E
Value: Free to look at from downtown; ticketed occasions accessible at Reunion Tower’s web site.
Dallas is celebrating the tenth anniversary of “Lone Star NYE at Reunion Tower” with their greatest present but. It is a hybrid manufacturing with all of the issues within the air: 500 drones, over 5,000 pyrotechnic particular results, and a 259 LED mild show on the tower itself.
Reunion Tower is an iconic 561-foot commentary tower in downtown Dallas, and watching fireworks launch from it whereas drones choreograph round it must be spectacular. Hunt Realty Investments is producing this in collaboration with Reunion Tower.
Planning ideas: Downtown Dallas has wonderful viewing angles from a number of places. The skyline is comparatively low-rise in comparison with different main cities, so that you gained’t be blocked by tall buildings. Reunion Tower presents ticketed NYE packages if you would like assured viewing with facilities (examine reuniontower.com for particulars and pricing). Should you’re watching from road stage, arrive early for good positioning. Dallas climate on NYE averages within the 40s-50s°F, so gown warmly however not Chicago-level heat.
What to learn about NYE 2026 drone exhibits
Drone exhibits vs. fireworks: Should you’re used to conventional fireworks, drone exhibits are completely different. (Assuming they aren’t placed on in tandem with fireworks), they’re quieter (good for youths, pets, and veterans with PTSD), extra exact, and may create detailed photos and textual content that fireworks can’t match. The tradeoff is much less visceral impression. There’s no growth, no sulfur scent, no particles raining down. Then once more, some cities are combining each (Vegas, Dallas) to get the detailed imagery and the growth.
Climate issues: Drones are typically extra weather-sensitive than fireworks. Excessive winds, heavy rain or snow can floor exhibits. Test every metropolis’s contingency plans and observe their social media for real-time updates on December 31.
Images ideas: Drones create completely different challenges than fireworks. They transfer slower and extra intentionally, so you should use decrease ISOs and longer exposures. A tripod is crucial for something longer than 1/sixtieth of a second. For video, 24fps or 30fps works effectively. The slower body charge creates good movement blur on the shifting drones. And should you’re filming the drone present with a drone? Tread cautiously. The airspace is likely to be restricted within the spot you’re flying so that you don’t work together with their drones.
Reserving home windows: Most NYE lodge charges are already elevated, however you’ve nonetheless bought time. Vegas and Orlando are the most costly and most certainly to promote out. Temecula and Huntington supply extra last-minute flexibility. Should you’re flying, ticket costs sometimes peak round December 26-27, so e-book now if attainable.
Have you ever attended a NYE drone present? I’d love to listen to about your expertise! Drop me a observe on Instagram @thedronegirl or within the feedback proper under.
And you probably have a NYE 2026 drone present I ought to learn about to share with different readers, contact me right here.
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