Picture a beautiful Kansas sky in downtown Wichita. Then imagine how breathtaking it would be to see hundreds of synchronized drones creating various formations set to music, lighting up the sky up to 400 feet over the Arkansas River and the Keeper of the Plains. Make plans to see it with your own eyes this fall during this year’s Drone Light Festival at Exploration Place.

This mesmerizing show is set to come back for a third year and will take place over three nights. Scheduled for Sept. 20-22, the show will provide breathtaking views of 300 synchronized drones fully choreographed with music. 

As a special bonus for this year’s festival, Exploration Place will also celebrate the grand opening of their new Wichita Foundation Amphitheater and plaza.

What to expect

Drone light shows are performed by swarms of lighted drones arranged into aerial formations. Almost any image can be created in the sky by a computer program that turns graphics into flight commands and communicates them to the drones. The lights are animated and choreographed with music to create a mesmerizing experience.

The drones will launch from the Mid-America All-Indian Museum grounds, highlighting the Keeper of the Plains. Each night, the show will include the special lighting of the Keeper of the Plains fire pots (weather permitting).

In addition to the drone light show, the festival includes floating Chinese water lanterns in the science center’s reflecting pond and a concert lit by more than 2,000 candles.

How to attend

Gates will open at 6 p.m. and the drone light show begins at 9 p.m. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early to the grounds to enjoy live music, demonstrations, games, local vendors, food, drink and other entertainment. It’s also a great opportunity to explore Exploration Place and experience their popular laser shows in the Dome theater, which is fully included in your admission to the event.

Individual tickets are $12 per member and $15 for nonmembers. You can purchase a carload pass which includes parking and admission for up to nine guests for $65 for members and $75 for nonmembers.

In the event of cancellation or delay, announcements will be made as soon as possible via email, social media and using the sitewide PA system. The show will be held unless Exploration Place makes the decision to cancel due to wind, lightning or other unsafe conditions. It is recommended to arrive 60 minutes before the show's start time in case there is a last-minute weather change. If there is a cancellation, a rain date has been set for Monday, Sept. 23.

In addition to the Drone Light Festival, Exploration Place will have its current traveling exhibit, DC Super Heroes, on display and will feature Toytopia this fall. The science center recently set an all-time attendance record and has now begun construction on one of 10 playgrounds, the Textron Aviation Flight Adventure, that will be included in a 6.5-acre, outdoor “destination playscape” project. Look for these new outdoor additions to Exploration Place in late 2025.

You can discover Exploration Place and more than 50 additional museums and attractions, 1,200-plus eateries and much more when you visit the Heart of the Country.