5 best ways drones are celebrating Christmas in 2024

As Christmas lights twinkle and carolers sing, drones are taking holiday cheer to new heights—literally! From spectacular light shows to delivering holiday surprises, here are the most innovative ways drones are spreading festive joy this season.

1. With world’s longest drone show

Sky Elements shattered records with a dazzling 30-minute drone display over the past weekend. Featuring thousands of drones, this show told a sweet story about a penguin and a snowman. The show, held in Texas, marked Sky Elements’ 12th Guinness World Record ever and required rotating three fleets in and out in order to run a show that long.

Watch a condensed version of the 30-minute show here:

2. By delivering Christmas gifts (more efficiently than Santa)

Just in time for Christmas, as of December 2024, two Dallas shopping malls now offer drone delivery as a service. Done in partnership with Google-affiliated Wing, DoorDash and real estate investment company Brookfield Properties (which owns the two Texas malls), the service marks the first such mall drone deliveries in the U.S.

Though, Wing has successfully run drone deliveries at malls in Australia.

3. By giving Santa gets a (really) big drone

To build hype for its DJI Agras T50 drone, drone maker DJI shared a video made by Instagrammer Bry183 that makes Santa a drone pilot. It’s year 2024, so let’s do it, Santa!

4. By flying through everything Christmasy

What’s it like being, like, literally in Christmas? My friends over at AirVuz put together an epic collection of their best Christmas-related FPV flight reels. They show holiday light displays (and give you some epic neighborhood tours), they fly through the “A Christmas Story” house and they even capture Santa skiing. There’s too much good stuff in here not to miss.

5. With some great drone sales

Christmas may be tomorrow, but there’s still time to get someone you love a drone-related gift. I’ve put together a guide to the best, last-minute Christmas gift ideas for drone pilots.

Think shipping is always slow to your house? Not so! Many of my favorite gifts are digital gifts, meaning no shipping (and no wrapping) needed. You definitely can’t go wrong with an online course via something like a Drone Dojo Subscription ($27) or the Drone Pilot Ground School’s Part 107 test prep course ($199 with discount code DRONEGIRL100).

Other digital gifts include software, like an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription ($450).

And come post-Christmas, I’m expecting some even bigger sales. Check major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and DJI’s own store for flash sales and bundle discounts that include extra batteries or carrying cases. Keep an eye out for refurbished options — they’re often significantly discounted and rigorously tested to perform like new.

What are you doing for Christmas this year? Do you have a festive drone tie-in? Tell me in the comments!