City event planners want drone shows. Toronto has gone all in.

When fireworks light up the night sky, they leave behind more than fleeting bursts of color. There is noise, smoke and debris, reminders of an old-fashioned form of celebration. But in Toronto, the skyline is changing. This year, the city announced a partnership with Illumin Drone Shows to replace traditional fireworks with cutting-edge drone light displays, marking a turning point in how public celebrations are imagined.

This move isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about sustainability, innovation and storytelling — and it places Toronto at the forefront of a global trend. Across the world, cities are beginning to trade fireworks for drones, tapping into technology that offers mesmerizing visuals without the environmental drawbacks of pyrotechnics.

Technology meets tradition

The trend is perhaps no more clear than in the Canadian City of Toronto. Toronto, which is Canada’s most populous city, put out an ambitious Request for Proposals (RFP) earlier this year. The city’s goal was clear: find a partner capable of creating dazzling yet sustainable spectacles for its annual events. The RFP’s rigorous technical and safety standards set the tone, signaling the city’s intent to push boundaries while maintaining public safety.

The city of Toronto selected Illumin Drone Shows, a Canadian leader in drone entertainment, for the job. The company’s innovative hardware and proprietary software have already been used for events like Ottawa’s Diwali Celebration and Belleville’s Festival of Lights. Now, with Toronto as a client, Illumin is cementing its reputation as a pioneer in the industry.

“Toronto is not only our home but a global beacon of progress, creativity, and cultural celebration,” said Christian Ilumin, CEO of Illumin Drone Shows.

A movement beyond Canada

Drone light shows are gaining traction worldwide, especially in urban centers eager to adopt more sustainable practices. Displays in cities like Shanghai and Dubai have drawn millions of viewers, showcasing the power of synchronized drones to tell stories and create immersive experiences. Unlike fireworks, drones generate no toxic smoke, leave no litter and operate with far less noise—a win for the environment and for communities sensitive to loud celebrations.

“This partnership between Toronto and Illumin Drone Shows has the potential to spark a broader movement across cities globally,” according to a statement from Illumin Drone Shows. “By adopting drone technology, Toronto is demonstrating how public celebrations can evolve to meet the demands of a modern, environmentally conscious world.”

And for its part, Illumin Drone Shows — while deeply rooted in Canada — is expanding its reach. The company recently opened a U.S. headquarters in Tampa Bay, positioning itself to bring aerial artistry to American audiences.

Other accolades for the company include that Illumin won third place for the Best Rising Star Drone Show of 2023 in the 4th International Drone Show Competition from SPH Engineering. It’s also the team behind Canada’s largest ever drone show, which was a 600-drone display for Range Rover.

Investment in the future

For cities, investing in drone technology goes beyond entertainment. It’s a statement of intent, and a reimagining of what city-funded, what public celebrations can be. While many drone shows are privately commissioned (often by companies for corporate events or product launches as evidenced by the myriad Super Bowl drone shows), cities do spend big on their own entertainment, which in turn can drive spending as people travel, shop and dine out the day of the drone show.

In fact 26.5 million visitors arrived in the city of Toronto in 2023, and spent $8.4 billion across sectors such as hotels, shopping and entertainment, according to the Economic Impact of Visitors in Toronto, released in June 2024. Not only does that contribute $2.1 billion in tax revenue, but it sustains roughly 67,000 jobs in the City of Toronto, generating $3.5 billion in labor income. Drone shows could likely drive even more tourism into the city.

For the drone industry, Toronto’s commitment a clear sign that the market for global drone entertainment market is growing. With that comes investment from both public and private sectors. After all, the average cost of a drone light show in North America is $52,455. Companies like Illumin are leveraging this momentum, with clients ranging from local governments to major corporations seeking to incorporate drones into marketing and events.

For audiences, the shift to drone light shows offers something even fireworks can’t match: the ability to weave intricate, evolving narratives in the night sky that afford a greater level of storytelling than what most fireworks shows ever achieve.

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