Recent years have seen Dubai’s spectacular fireworks displays set several world records. Fireworks and laser exhibitions were seen all around the United Arab Emirates to welcome in 2023, with the Burj Khalifa being the location of the world’s largest laser display.
However, the aerial lights aren’t done yet. The city’s light extravaganza, which includes more than 500 drones, is elevating its holiday spectacles to a whole new level.
Skymagic is a UK-based company that now has a presence in Singapore. They specialize in drone-based light shows that have been seen all over the world, including at Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 and in Zurich, Switzerland and Sydney, Australia.
Senior creative at Skymagic Ollie Howitt said, “We think of the sky as the largest canvas that there is to tell our tales, so the technology is very much influenced by that.”
The group is in Dubai, organizing two nightly performances at Blue waters Island, next to the Dubai Marina, from December 15 to January 29.
The two five-minute shows share a common theme of Dubai and both use 3D animations. The first depicts a day in the life of a tourist, beginning with visuals of Dubai International Airport and transitioning into animations of the city’s most famous landmarks. With a robot that goes on a journey which explore city in the future.
Over half a million people are expected to watch the drones light up the Dubai sky during the holiday season. Project manager for the show Suhail Maitreya says months of planning go into organizing a big live event like this.
According to Maitreya, “We get on the site about 10 days prior the first show and we run trials every night in advance. We begin preparing as early as July, so about six months in advance.” We begin by operating one drone, then five, and finally twenty. The complete fleet of more than 500 drones takes to the air three days prior to the first presentation, at which point the show begins to take shape.
Eco-friendly displays
According to Skymagic, the drones weigh between 200 and 500 grams, making them far smaller than delivery drones. “In terms of weather conditions, our newest fleet is quite good since it is far more wind and rain resistant than it has ever been. (which) is always something to take into account while organizing a drone display, according to Howitt.
Drones may also be a more environmentally friendly option than fireworks, which can leak harmful metal particles into the atmosphere and harm both the environment and human health.
“Its main advantage is that it leaves no trace. According to Maitreya, it is entirely sustainable. “I believe that in the future, drones will be used in an increasing number of cities throughout the world.”