10,000 Drones Paint Abu Dhabi Sky

Spearheaded by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), this record-breaking fusion of art and technology delivers nightly holographic stories across the city’s skyline. 

Abu Dhabi, UAE – March, 2025

In a bold move that underscores Abu Dhabi’s commitment to immersive cultural experiences, the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) today announced a landmark collaboration with Nova Sky Stories and Analog. This groundbreaking partnership launches the world’s largest and most technologically sophisticated recurring drone spectacle. Featuring up to 10,000 drones across multiple concurrent locations throughout the year, this ambitious initiative promises continuous holographic stories in the sky, further elevating Abu Dhabi’s global prominence as a hub for innovation, culture, and creativity.

Three-Way Collaboration

• • 1. DCT (Department of Culture and Tourism)
    As the driving force behind this unprecedented experience, DCT continues its tradition of delivering world-class cultural events that foster global engagement and position Abu Dhabi as a trailblazer in merging culture with cutting-edge technology.
  • 2. Nova Sky Stories
    Renowned globally for breathtaking drone solutions, Nova’s drones are among the safest, quietest, and most reliable in the industry, certified to operate in 38 countries. The company has supported premier global events such as the Olympics, Formula One, and the NFL Superbowl.
  • 3. Analog
    A fast-rising technology company specializing in edge computing, adaptive intelligence and immersive mixed reality experiences. Driven by a human-first ethos, Analog aims to expand reality by creating meaningful experiences that deeply connect, inspire, and empower people, communities and organisations.

Historic Scale
Deploying up to 10,000 drones simultaneously across multiple locations throughout the year builds on Abu Dhabi’s position as a global destination for cutting-edge entertainment, culture, and tourism, driving significant visitor attraction and economic growth.

Holographic Stories in the Sky
These high-tech formations craft living, holographic narratives that captivate both visitors and residents, connecting them to Abu Dhabi’s rich heritage and ambitious vision for the future in a way that feels fresh, bold, and impossible to ignore.

Real-Time Adaptive Orchestration
Through coordinated geofencing, encryption, and adaptive orchestration, these shows unfold in real time—transforming the Abu Dhabi skyline into a living canvas that unites safety, reliability, and creative dynamism. The result is a visual journey that feels as spontaneous as it is meticulously crafted.

Innovative Collaboration
Under DCT’s leadership, Nova Sky and Analog are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in drone entertainment, delivering an unprecedented fusion of art, technology, and cultural storytelling.

Looking Ahead
Additional details—such as the official venues, design themes, and flight timelines—will be shared as preparations advance.