the way to discover an occasion close to you

Mark your calendar: FAA Drone Security Day 2026 is about for Saturday, April 25, 2026. Even higher is that there are dozens of free occasions occurring throughout the nation so you’ll be able to take part in what’s the closest factor now we have to a nationwide drone vacation.

The annual occasion was beforehand generally known as Nationwide Drone Security Consciousness Week (sure, it spanned 7 days). Extra just lately, it’s been condensed right into a single targeted day, and it’s the FAA’s marketing campaign to convey collectively the drone neighborhood round secure and accountable flying.

This yr’s theme is “Fly RIGHT” with a give attention to three subject areas: training, emergencies, and atmosphere. Suppose drone use in STEM lecture rooms, public security drone applications and environmental purposes like wildlife monitoring and reforestation.

For drone pilots, I contemplate this drone vacation excuse to get out, meet different pilots, study one thing new, and — in lots of instances — truly fly.

Many individuals recurrently go to drone meetups, however I understand it may possibly powerful to be a beginner at one in all these drone meetups when everybody else seemingly is aware of one another! That’s not the case on Drone Security Day, after I discover individuals are particularly open to newbies (although for what it’s value, I at all times really feel welcome at any drone meetup I’m going to). It’s additionally excuse to take a look at native faculties which may have drone applications and meet the college. And whereas some individuals would possibly solely have free time for just a few meetups a yr, these are usually essentially the most vigorous meetups — as a result of if individuals can solely select one, it’ll usually be this one.

Better of all? Most occasions are free.

FAA Drone Security Day 2026 occasions occurring across the nation

Although not a whole record of FAA Drone Security Day 2026 (to be trustworthy, extra hold getting added every single day!), listed below are a handful of the registered occasions that I assumed to spotlight, both as a result of they have been in comparatively populated areas, that they had some type of distinctive part to them or they have been particualrly value visiting given their robust academic or neighborhood ties.

Bay Space, California — 4th Bay Space Annual Drone Security Day April 25 | 9:00 AM | SF Drone Faculty FRIA Discipline, Treasure Island (eleventh & Ave E)

This one has so much happening: meet FAA FASTeam drone execs and security inspectors, see what the U.S. Coast Guard is doing with drones, fly the NIST course, get your airframe Distant ID examined, and watch FPV racers arrange a course with 7-inch, 10-inch, and X-Class frames. Convey your individual plane. Free to attend.

Dade Metropolis, Florida — third Annual Drone Security Day at PHSC April 25 | 10:00 AM | Pasco-Hernando State Group School, 36727 Blanton Street

A family-friendly occasion protecting public security drones, micro drone impediment programs, RC automobile races, an underwater ROV expertise, and a reside LiDAR mapping simulation. Free admission and parking, plus meals vans.

Lansing, Michigan — 4th Annual FAA Drone Security Day at Lansing Group School April 25 | 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM | LCC West Campus, 5708 Cornerstone Dr

Morning classes with business consultants protecting drone security and neighborhood purposes, afternoon open flying. Leisure pilots also can take the TRUST examination on-site — that’s the FAA leisure security certificates required for pastime flyers. Convey your individual drone. Free.

Minneapolis, Minnesota — Drone Security Day at U of M Robotics Institute April 25 | 10:00 AM | Shepherd Laboratories, 100 Union Avenue SE

Hosted by the Minnesota Robotics Institute on the College of Minnesota Twin Cities, this one is extra research-oriented — you’ll get to tour the lab and meet researchers, native drone firms, skilled associations, and aviation security professionals. Although it’s free, parking prices a nominal payment at $1/hour in campus ramps.

Wilmington, Delaware — Drone Security Day at Goldey-Beacom School April 25 | 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM

A full-day occasion protecting drone security training. See their full schedule of occasions, and register right here:

Palatine, Illinois — third Annual Drone Expertise and Security Day April 25 | 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Harper School, 1200 West Algonquin Street, Constructing D

Puerto Rico — Drone Security Day April 25 | 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM | Inter American College, Bayamón Campus

El Paso, Texas — Drone Fans of El Paso (DEEP) Drone Security Day April 25 | 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Westside Group Park, 7400 Excessive Ridge Dr

Jensen Seaside, Florida — sixth Annual South Florida Drone Meetup April 10-12 | 7:00 AM | Jensen Seaside Causeway Park

This one runs just a few weeks earlier than Drone Security Day correct however is a part of the broader marketing campaign. Open to new and skilled pilots, TRUST certificates required to fly, giveaway prizes and leisure. E mail [email protected] for extra particulars.

Brenham, Texas — Blinn School Drone Fest 2026 April 17 | 9:00 AM | Blinn School Brenham Campus, STEI Constructing

Scottsdale, Arizona — First Annual DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm April 20-22 | Speaking Stick Resort, 9800 E Speaking Stick Approach

This one skews extra towards public security and enterprise drone operators than leisure pilots, however value realizing about if that’s your world.

Wildwood, Missouri — Drones and Cones Might 7 | 1:00 PM | St. Louis Group School Wildwood Campus

Technically after Drone Security Day however registered as a part of the marketing campaign.

Thief River Falls, Minnesota — Northland Expo 2026 April 14 | 9:00 AM | 13892 Airport Dr

Tasley, Virginia — Jap Shore Drone Security Day 2026 April 25 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM | A&N Electrical Cooperative Headquarters, 21275 Cooperative Approach

After which simply after Drone Security Day 2026, don’t miss the 2026 version of Palm Springs Drone Fest. I attended the inaugural 2025 occasion and it was severely the most effective drone pageant/social gathering/truthful of all time. Get extra information at psdronefest.com.

Easy methods to discover extra Drone Security Day occasions and register

The total record of registered occasions — and a device to seek out ones close to you — is on the Nationwide Middle for Autonomous Applied sciences web site. You too can register your individual occasion if you wish to host one thing in your neighborhood. The FAA encourages in-person, digital, and hybrid codecs.

Whether or not you’re a leisure pilot who’s by no means thought a lot about airspace guidelines, a industrial Half 107 pilot seeking to keep present, or simply somebody inquisitive about what drones can truly do — Drone Security Day occasions are low-stakes, free, and a great way to satisfy the native drone neighborhood in particular person. April 25 isn’t far off.

And if you’d like much more drone occasions via 2026, take a look at my information to all the opposite high festivals, conferences and workshops scheduled via the tip of December 2026.

Associated