With more and more people understanding the impact of fireworks on the natural environment, there is a move to increase the number and variety of drone shows in Brisbane. And Families Magazine is all for it! As the years go on, we believe we will see more and more of these spectacular shows across our beautiful night skies. And fewer fireworks displays.
To that end, this article will give you a list of the best drone shows in Brisbane as they appear and we will also share our photos and videos with our thoughts about each show. Let’s go!
Upcoming drone shows across Brisbane
These are the current or upcoming displays across greater Brisbane. Below is a list of the past drone shows (some of which may return, so keep an eye on this page!) Most of these events are part of festivals across Brisbane.
Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent
<I will add a video in here after the first show>
Described as a ‘breathtaking and poetic drone display‘ this truly magical experience is back by popular demand after the immense success of last year’s Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale (see below). Brought to you as part of the Brisbane Festival, this free family-friendly event offers a perfect opportunity to create lasting memories with your loved ones.
The show tells the captivating First Nations creation story of the Brisbane River. They believed the land and the people were created by the Spirits. They made the rivers, streams, water holes the land, hills, rocks, plants and animals. The show is narrated by Traditional Owner and Tribal Experiences Managing Director Shannon Ruska. The storytelling comes to life through a stunning drone display, accompanied by an original sound composition by Guy Webster.
Head to ANZ Festival Garden in South Bank or Queen’s Wharf to watch as 400 drones light up Brisbane’s iconic skyline.
Skylore — The Rainbow Serpent is a family friendly must-see highlight of the Brisbane Festival, offering a vibrant and cultural experience that families across Brisbane will treasure. Celebrate our city’s rich heritage and enjoy a spectacular evening out with your family.
Event details:
- Venue: Festival Garden, 186 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
- Dates and Times: 19 – 21 September 2024
- Times: 7:15pm, 8:15pm, 9:15pm each night.
- Booking: Non-ticketed
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Cost: FREE
Grab something to eat in South Bank either before or after the show and enjoy the show!
Previous drone shows
Each time a show finishes, we have bumped the information to below – so you can still see what it looked like (and in case it comes back, we can update the information!)
Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale
Nieergoo: Spirit of the Whale was launched for the opening night of Brisbane Festival laste year.
Telling the creation story of the Moreton Bay islands, the festival-first light show on the Brisbane River brought to life the creation of the local area, known as Meanjin, some 65,000 years ago, with 400 drones lighting up the sky.
Some photos of the show in Brisbane are below:
Event details:
- Venue: Festival Garden, 186 Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane
- Dates and Times: from 1 September, 2023
- Times: 7:15pm, 8:15pm, 9:15pm each night.
- Booking: Non-ticketed
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Cost: FREE
How do drone shows work?
Drone shows use swarms of small unmanned aerial vehicles, each equipped with LED lights. The effect looks like hundreds or thousands of pixels in a choreographed set of images in the sky. They have long lasting batteries and are built to float (just in case they land/fall into water!)
