Drone shows replace fireworks at traditional celebrations across China

Have you seen these "cyber fireworks" during festivities?

The matrices of drones and the light shows have illuminated the skies at landmarks in cities across China during the past Spring Festival and Lantern Festival celebrations, catching the eyes of many.

As a new trend, drone performances are becoming a favored form of entertainment and are used by many cities instead of fireworks.

According to insiders, the first drone performance in China with video records can be traced back to 2016, with 80 drones participating at the time. 

Now with technology developing rapidly, the matrices have evolved from flat surface formations to 3D ones that can involve thousands of drones performing at the same time.

The application scenarios have diversified as well. Similar to the role of fireworks, many cultural and tourist spots have purchased drone performance services to attract tourists, while some individuals require drone performances to celebrate birthdays and marriage proposals.

A domestic study on drone performances in the cultural and tourism industry in 2022 shows that more than 158 scenic spots and amusement parks across China have introduced drone performances to their entertainment services. 

Among them, 22% of the entities have signed long-term deals to regularly provide drone performances to their visitors.

Drone performance companies in China have not only managed to make their businesses boom domestically but have also accelerated their work overseas. 

In the summer of 2023, a performance combining fireworks and drones was staged at the Palace of Versailles in France, with the drone performance provided by a company from Shenzhen.

According to the company, it has also performed in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, the United States, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.