A drones show replaces or joins fireworks with tens or hundreds of small drones flying in formation, each carrying a bright light, to draw shapes, logos and moving pictures in the night sky. In South Africa they are booked for product launches, festivals, sports events, weddings, city celebrations and New Year's Eve. They are quiet, leave no smoke and can be repeated. Large swarms need special SACAA approval and a specialist team, so every show is quoted on its own. Send one request and drone show teams quote you directly. It is free and there is no obligation.
What a drone light show involves
A show is planned weeks ahead and run like a small air operation:
- Design: the team animates your shapes, logo or story in show software and plans the flight path of every drone.
- Site and airspace: a launch area clear of people, a safety zone under the show and an airspace check for nearby airports.
- Show night: the drones take off together, fly the programme for a few minutes and land back on the grid.
- Extras: music timing, a backup slot for bad weather and filming of the show from the ground and the air.
Ask about filming the show with drone videography or drone photography so you have content afterwards.
Approvals and safety
Large drone swarms need special SACAA approval on top of the usual licences, and the process takes time, so start early. The pilots need a Remote Pilot Licence (RPL) and the company an RPAS Operator Certificate (ROC); ask to see them, and ask which approvals the team has held for previous shows. The event may also need permission from the landowner, the municipality and local emergency services.
Safety comes first. The drones must not fly over the audience, a safety zone is kept clear below the show, and the team sets wind and rain limits. A good operator explains what happens if a drone fails and when they will call off a show.
What drives the cost
Drone light shows are quoted per show, and there is no standard price. The number of drones has the biggest effect, followed by the length of the show, how much custom animation you need, travel and transport of the fleet, the approval work, insurance, rehearsals and whether a weather backup night is held. Repeating the same show over several nights usually lowers the cost per show. Ask each team to break down the quote and to state the drone count and minutes of flying time.
Briefing show teams
Give every team the same facts: the venue and its address, the date and a backup date, the expected audience size and where people will stand, the shapes or logo you want, the length of show you have in mind and your budget range. Ask for video of past shows, the number of drones they own, the approvals they have held, their insurance and their wind and weather limits. Because approval takes time, a request a few months ahead gives you the most choice. For the kinds of aircraft used in professional work, see commercial drones.
What to include in your request
- Venue address and event date
- Backup date for bad weather
- Audience size and where people stand
- Shapes, logo or story you want
- Show length and budget range
Drone Light Shows for different clients
- Hobbyists and families: a short drone show for a milestone wedding, birthday or private celebration
- Farmers and growers: a drone show at a wine farm festival, harvest celebration or agricultural show
- Estate agents and developers: a launch show for a new estate, mall or development with the project emblem
- Builders, engineers and installers: a celebration show at the opening of a major building, bridge or stadium
- Mines, plants and utilities: product launches and company anniversaries with brand shapes drawn in light
- Photographers, film crews and agencies: event agencies adding drone shows to concerts, festivals and broadcast specials
- Security companies and estates: safety and crowd planning that keeps the show area clear of people below
- Municipalities, schools and NGOs: smoke-free New Year, heritage day and city celebrations in place of fireworks
Frequently asked questions
How much does a drone light show cost in South Africa?
Do drone shows need special permission?
How far ahead should I book a drone show?
Is CameraDrones.co.za a drone show company?
Drone Light Shows by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg