![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W6F2OEDKOPS7EFRFBHI5SICVSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1b490f0deec916c3541651b313788a80fd32466a410aeb0b7e4e6d83345696e&width=400&height=225)
The 2018 drone show at the Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi was the first of its kind. Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q57RCEKVHRGYLPJHQBOXHGV2Z4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7932a2793b574c4b02d8395aa0b2294dcfe1e575fe2e7f1cc1e6358c2d596636&width=400&height=225)
The Dubai Shopping Festival is hosting two nightly drone shows at The Beach, JBR, and Bluewaters Island. Photo: DFRE
A drone show opened this year's Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NN3E55L5KBEZHAVW2OQODAEWUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=223b76fe31d7a673c6cac1c5995926e59286414466468cd7562a935f57aa4fcc&width=400&height=225)
Drones also rang in the New Year at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H57E27OS3NGH7PYLYOHEDNKWDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=81bdecf81d4fffb12eca015b57cad3842948cb99043973e5d5a2015c19169f1b&width=400&height=225)
The shows often depict the landmarks and cultural motifs of the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSIIPF5WZ5FNRBHJ5G444SNCGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa74c0458d2a26a2a6125c4bcb79d85d5358a09c406f15e386a2c7bbee460417&width=400&height=225)
New Year and National Day messages are other common themes. Victor Besa / The National
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Drone show at the China Pavilion during Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai
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A light show in the shape of a dallah coffee pot pouring liquid into a cup near Bluewaters Island in December last year. AFP
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Dubai Police set a record for most consecutive formations made by the same set of drones in February 2019. Photo: Dubai Media Office
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMAOZE3MX5AILN33R44E7HFOSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf4535d86e3609c124783a64011bd2a9f2706e6bed7d1c7ce42fefc7fbc40e0b&width=400&height=225)
Drones at an event organised by flower delivery service Floward at the Address Montgomerie, Dubai, in November last year. Ruel Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASQLZ27WZSUPLOTR2AVO6I7N74.jpg?smart=true&auth=06977ddba32ae653c071a75233acb957ecf91afa3b19669104518d2954d123d4&width=400&height=225)
A 3D light and drone show as part of last year's Dubai Shopping Festival. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W6F2OEDKOPS7EFRFBHI5SICVSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1b490f0deec916c3541651b313788a80fd32466a410aeb0b7e4e6d83345696e&width=400&height=225)
The 2018 drone show at the Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi was the first of its kind. Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q57RCEKVHRGYLPJHQBOXHGV2Z4.jpg?smart=true&auth=7932a2793b574c4b02d8395aa0b2294dcfe1e575fe2e7f1cc1e6358c2d596636&width=400&height=225)
The Dubai Shopping Festival is hosting two nightly drone shows at The Beach, JBR, and Bluewaters Island. Photo: DFRE
A drone show opened this year's Sheikh Zayed Festival in Al Wathba, Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NN3E55L5KBEZHAVW2OQODAEWUA.jpg?smart=true&auth=223b76fe31d7a673c6cac1c5995926e59286414466468cd7562a935f57aa4fcc&width=400&height=225)
Drones also rang in the New Year at the Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival in Al Wathba. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/H57E27OS3NGH7PYLYOHEDNKWDU.jpg?smart=true&auth=81bdecf81d4fffb12eca015b57cad3842948cb99043973e5d5a2015c19169f1b&width=400&height=225)
The shows often depict the landmarks and cultural motifs of the UAE. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OSIIPF5WZ5FNRBHJ5G444SNCGE.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa74c0458d2a26a2a6125c4bcb79d85d5358a09c406f15e386a2c7bbee460417&width=400&height=225)
New Year and National Day messages are other common themes. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XSUQLJFRKFFFREVNZXWOJOSY3U.jpg?smart=true&auth=eee2d71184ee86848ed6feb914c3b4c7819fe637e1983410628ad0ccb1d738b9&width=400&height=225)
Drone show at the China Pavilion during Expo 2020 Dubai. Photo: David Jimenez / Expo 2020 Dubai
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ONJQVPZ2BMH3ENLPNU7PQXJCVE.jpg?smart=true&auth=b9ad4779d8936c07f8890171b30c041d21da85fd99901df57980a22843f31d1d&width=400&height=225)
A light show in the shape of a dallah coffee pot pouring liquid into a cup near Bluewaters Island in December last year. AFP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/MDCRJYFL3ICFWEFRGEAPKYPFEU.jpg?smart=true&auth=beeada74b3ba8a0565bd0b5c76f9c3aee8d07d296e814834f67e9164e9412660&width=400&height=225)
Dubai Police set a record for most consecutive formations made by the same set of drones in February 2019. Photo: Dubai Media Office
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/JMAOZE3MX5AILN33R44E7HFOSY.jpg?smart=true&auth=bf4535d86e3609c124783a64011bd2a9f2706e6bed7d1c7ce42fefc7fbc40e0b&width=400&height=225)
Drones at an event organised by flower delivery service Floward at the Address Montgomerie, Dubai, in November last year. Ruel Pableo / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ASQLZ27WZSUPLOTR2AVO6I7N74.jpg?smart=true&auth=06977ddba32ae653c071a75233acb957ecf91afa3b19669104518d2954d123d4&width=400&height=225)
A 3D light and drone show as part of last year's Dubai Shopping Festival. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/W6F2OEDKOPS7EFRFBHI5SICVSA.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1b490f0deec916c3541651b313788a80fd32466a410aeb0b7e4e6d83345696e&width=400&height=225)
The 2018 drone show at the Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi was the first of its kind. Photo: Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi
Dubai Shopping Festival hosts nightly drone displays as UAE's love for aerial shows soars
The buzzing light routines are taking place at JBR and Bluewaters Island, helping visitors to delve into the nation's past, present and future
![Panna Munyal](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F06bc983d-10c7-433f-960a-1e9f892c4c24.png?smart=true&auth=3257c870e2e2c7661a245c0f4c9b3cadc5d2d951b708186dcf323bfa54659374&width=70&height=70)
Panna Munyal
27 December, 2022
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