Fireworks have long been the go-to spectacle, lighting up the skies during major holidays and at theme parks. But as scrutiny continues to mount over their impact on the environment and animals, cities and venues are turning more to drone light shows.
The choice between tradition and impact grows starker. Fireworks may still draw a crowd, but the silent, luminous ballet of drones could be where the future is heading. Tech design company Jaycon compiled a list of notable drone shows around the world that have influenced the growing trend. London held a New Year’s Eve drone show in 2022, and Disney Springs launched a show in 2023 that featured 500 drones arranged in various Disney-themed images. The largest drone show to date was in Chongqing, China, on June 17, 2025, featuring 11,787 drones that showcased the city’s landscape and culture. The effect was surreal, with giant serpents, animated figures, flowers, writings and other designs floating overhead.
Drone shows use special software and GPS technology to program 3D flight paths that translate into elaborate displays. Because drones are limited by battery life, the displays are typically shorter than fireworks.
But environmentalists say fireworks release more than 60,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually in the U.S.—a colorless, odorless gas linked to the greenhouse effect and global warming. Additionally, fireworks can be dangerous and even deadly. In 2024, 11 people were killed by fireworks, and 14,700 were treated in emergency rooms for fireworks injuries—a sharp increase of about 38% in deaths and about 52% in injuries compared to 2023, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The impact of fireworks on wildlife and pets has been well documented. Dogs and cats can become disoriented, flee homes and get lost. For hundreds of animal shelters across the country, the days following the Fourth of July are their busiest in terms of inquiries for lost pets and drop-offs of strays. Flocks of birds have been thrown off their migratory paths, and nesting has been disrupted, according to wildlife experts.
The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, suggests that concerned citizens write their elected representatives to explore alternative ways to celebrate. PETA even includes a sample letter: “For this year’s 4th of July celebrations, please cancel fireworks displays permanently and use alternatives such as lasers, drone shows, or silent fireworks. Not only are traditional fireworks harmful to the environment, but they also distress noise-sensitive residents, including those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), companion animals, and wildlife, who are repeatedly traumatized by the blasts. It’s well documented that explosions from fireworks frighten wildlife and trigger stress, disorientation, and anxiety. Dogs and cats often panic and try to flee, or become lost or hit by cars during fireworks displays. Some animals even die outright from fright or strangle themselves on their chains while trying desperately to escape the noise. Veterans and others suffering from PTSD can be deeply disturbed by the sound of the explosives and the smell of gunpowder. No one deserves to be traumatized by fireworks for even one night. By switching to silent fireworks, drone shows, or laser light shows, you can still offer a fun celebration that is safe and respectful of all residents.”
Not all drone shows have gone off without mishap. On Dec. 21, 2024, a 7-year-old boy was seriously injured by a drone that fell out of the sky and hit him in the chest during a drone display at Lake Eola Park in Orlando, Florida. The city had posted an advertisement on its website days earlier touting the show: “This show will feature a dazzling display of synchronized drones flying in formation to create beautiful holiday-themed designs in the night sky. Attendees will be able to sit back and watch the 15-minute light show from the comfort of their own blankets and lawn chairs.” About 25,000 people showed up for the spectacle.
The drone’s impact damaged a valve in the boy’s heart, requiring emergency surgery. Shortly after the incident , the Federal Aviation Administration suspended the license of the company that put on the show, Sky Elements, based in Coppell, Texas. But earlier this year, the FAA granted Sky Elements a waiver to fly drones over Universal Orlando. Sky Elements is considered the largest drone light show provider in the U.S., and has put on hundreds of shows for cities, sports venues and private companies. They used 400 drones to create a show in Napa, California, for Independence Day 2024. Thousands of residents turned out and witnessed a display that included a giant flying eagle and the Statue of Liberty.
“For years, Napa’s Fourth of July celebration centered around traditional fireworks,” the company stated. “While conventional, fireworks are a cause of growing concerns for the community. Wildfire risks, environmental impact, and noise disturbances for residents and pets all are cause for hesitancy to continue with the fireworks celebration. As California faces increasing fire dangers, Napa needed a safer, more sustainable way to celebrate Independence Day, and Sky Elements stepped in.”
Smaller drone shows start at $15,000, and larger ones can exceed $100,000.
“Drone shows are priced similar to a medium- to large-scale fireworks show,” Sky Elements states on its website. “Depending on your location and local regulations, a drone show can be more cost-effective than a fireworks show.”
While drones may be encroaching, they will likely never completely erase traditional fireworks—especially in Asia and the U.S.
Fireworks were invented in ancient China, with bamboo stalks stuffed with gunpowder serving as the predecessor of today’s pyrotechnics. And in the U.S., fireworks are deeply rooted in the country’s origin—symbolic of lyrics in the national anthem: “bombs bursting in air.”
