Drone Shows vs. Fireworks: How New Technology Is Changing Summer Celebrations
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Asia Tabb
aired; August 5, 2026
Fireworks have long been a staple of summer celebrations, but drone light shows are giving communities a new way to light up the night sky. On The Spark, we spoke with Kieran Carroll, chief strategy officer, and Dr. Christopher Heilig, executive vice president of school safety and technology at Sky Elements Drone Shows, about the growing popularity of drone displays and how they compare to traditional fireworks.
Our conversation explored the pros and cons of both forms of entertainment, from the environmental impact, noise, and fire risks associated with fireworks to the engineering, planning, and technology behind drone shows. Carroll and Heilig explained how each drone is individually programmed, with shows taking four to six weeks to design and hundreds—even thousands—of drones working together to create animated images in the sky. They also discussed why drone shows can be a safer alternative during droughts and burn bans, their accessibility for people with noise sensitivities, and how innovations in software and aviation technology continue to expand what’s possible. The company, which has set 17 Guinness World Records and was a finalist on America’s Got Talent, also shared how newcomers can get involved in the growing drone show industry.
To hear the full conversation, listen to The Spark podcast. To learn more about Sky Elements Drone Shows, visit their website.