What Is the World's Biggest Drone Show?

The record for the world's biggest drone show keeps getting shattered. As of 2026, the answer is a staggering 33,615 drones flying in a single show.

33,615 drones over Sichuan, China

On May 20, 2026, the tech company Yufengzhe Technology launched 33,615 drones at once over Dujiangyan, in China's Sichuan province. The show set three Guinness World Records in a single flight: the most drones flown in one performance, the most drones used to form a single image, and the largest mid-air LED screen, a flexible display measuring more than 148,000 square meters. The drones formed giant pandas, floating islands, and constellations across the night sky.

The other record: 22,580 from a single computer

Earlier in 2026, EHang flew 22,580 drones from a single computer over Hefei for China's Spring Festival Gala. That set a different record, the most drones controlled by one machine. The 33,615-drone show used multiple controllers, which is why both records stand side by side.

How fast the record is climbing

The numbers are rising fast. The record went from 11,787 drones over Chongqing in June 2025, to 15,947 over Liuyang that October, to 22,580 over Hefei in February 2026, to 33,615 over Dujiangyan in May 2026. Each show pushes the ceiling higher.

Bigger is not always better

Record-breaking shows are stunning, but the number of drones is not what makes a show memorable. Design, music, and the story in the sky matter far more than raw count, and a well-built show sized to your venue can wow a crowd just as much.

Get a drone show built for your event

Your event does not need a world record to give people a moment they will never forget. Illuminate Drones designs custom indoor and outdoor drone light shows at the right size for your venue and budget. See how much a drone light show costs, or request a quote.

See more of the biggest drone shows of 2026.