Nottingham City Council is delighted to announce a spectacular new drone show coming to the city this November.
Drone Show: Nottingham City of Legends will take place at the Forest Recreation Ground on Thursday 5 November 2026.
The 20-minute production will use 250 synchronised drones to bring Nottingham’s rich history, legendary characters and iconic stories to life in the night sky. Accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack, the show promises a memorable visual experience for audiences of all ages.
Delivered in partnership with Nottinghamshire-based drone manufacturers Light Dynamix, Drone Show: Nottingham City of Legends will offer residents and visitors a unique way to get together with friends and family.
From its base in Nottinghamshire, Light Dynamix designs and manufactures professional drone technology for the live entertainment industry, and supplies advanced drone systems to operators and production teams delivering large-scale shows around the world.
Nottingham City of Legends has been commissioned by the Council as a part of the city’s annual programme of free and low-cost events. The event has been funded through the Council’s £25 million additional investment package, announced earlier this year to transform frontline services, support families, and boost pride in Nottingham.
Alongside the aerial display, attendees will also be able to enjoy a range of food and drink options at the event.
An early and late show is available:
Early Show
Gates open: 5pm
Show starts: 6.30pm
Late Show
Gates open: 7.30pm
Show starts: 9pm
Councillor David Mellen, Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism at Nottingham City Council, said: “Nottingham has a fantastic reputation for delivering memorable events, and we’re excited to bring something completely new to the city. Drone Show: Nottingham City of Legends will celebrate the stories, characters and heritage that make Nottingham unique through an incredible display of light, drone technology and creativity.
“As well as providing a spectacular experience for residents, the drone show demonstrates our commitment to investing in high-quality events that bring people together, support the local economy, and generate pride in our city.”
Ben Pickard, Managing Director of Light Dynamix, said: “We’re extremely proud to be supporting a major drone show so close to home. Bringing together locally developed technology with Nottingham’s history and culture makes this a particularly exciting project for Light Dynamix.”
Event artwork captures the spirit of the show. Final visuals may vary.
More information
13,000 tickets are available (6,500 per show) with standard admission priced at £10 for adults (17+) and £5 for children (16 and under). For Nottingham city residents, tickets are priced at £2 for adults (17+) and £1 for children (16 and under) – residents will need their council tax number and postcode to hand when booking to redeem the low-cost tickets. Tickets are inclusive of VAT and booking fees.
The event will be ticketed due to expected demand. Safety regulations for drone shows require a significant sterile area below where drones are flying. The audience experience has also been considered to ensure that ticket holders can enjoy the full effect of the show with accompanied sound and lighting effects. Non-ticket holders will not be able to experience the show from outside the event area.
Tickets go on sale on Friday 16 October 2026 at 10am via whatsonnottingham.com.
Travelling to the Forest Recreation Ground
There is no public car parking available on site. The Forest Park & Ride site is available for tram users only – your vehicle will be at risk of being clamped if you are not using the tram.
Parking on nearby residential streets is not permitted and will be enforced.
Please use public transport such as NET tram, NCT or trentbarton bus services to travel to and from the event
Limited Blue Badge car parking is available on a first come first served basis (accessed via Mansfield Road) at £10 per car (cash and contactless payments accepted).