Step into the enchanting world of Arendelle and join us for an experience filled with music, laughter and the heartwarming tale of sisters Elsa and Anna as we watch the beloved film Frozen on the big screen in Kemper theater.
Wichita’s drone light show returns as a festival to Exploration Place on September 21-23, 2023!
The festival will provide breathtaking views of 300 synchronized drones (100 more than last year!), fully choreographed with music. We are planning some exciting enhancements to the experience, including new custom drone formations, thousands of floating water lanterns that you get to launch yourself and a concert lit by more than 2,000 candles.
Watch the drones take flight at 9 pm sharp! 300 drones will create a series of moving, 3D formations. Set to a musical score that is only available on the Exploration Place grounds – this is a sight to behold!
Each guest will receive a floating water lantern to decorate and set adrift on the museum’s reflecting pond, creating a stunning display of light and reflection.
Join us starting at 6 pm for food, fun, music and more as we wait for the sun to go down and the drones to fire up.
6:00 pm
Gates Open
6:00 – 9:00 pm
Explore the museum and exhibits
Food trucks and activities on Entry and Festival Plazas
Explore Store and Snack Bar open
6:30 pm
The Dark Side of the Moon in the Dome
Live Science Show in the Kemper Theater
7:30 pm
The Dark Side of the Moon in the Dome
Live Science Show in the Kemper Theater
Candlelight Concert by the pond
Decorate your water lantern by the pond
8:15 pm
Launch water lanterns in the pond
9:00 pm
Main event starts!
Featuring Flow Foundry Fire Dancers, The Keeper of the Plains Ring of Fire and Wichita’s original Drone Light Show!
10:00 pm
Museum closes
Gates close
Subject to change – check back for updates!
Museum admission, Live Science Shows, Dome theater screenings, Candlelight Concert and Water Lanterns are included with your Drone Light Festival pass/ticket. Food trucks, some outdoor activities, concessions and merchandise available at an additional fee.
Each guest will receive a floating water lantern to decorate and set adrift on the museum’s reflecting pond, creating a stunning display of light and reflection.
Experience an atmospheric and captivating live event, where talented local musician Trevor Stewart will perform with the soft illumination of more than 2,000 candles. The candlelight concert is from 7:30-8:45 and located at the Reflection Pond. See map for directions.
What’s Else Is New?
300 Drones -> 50% more than 2022!
Twice as many LEDs on each drone, making the show noticeably brighter
New formations! (Don’t worry we’ll be keeping your favorites from last year, too.)
What’s a ticket to the Drone Light Festival really worth? The festival is about more than just the drone show. It’s several festivals mixed into one awesome night. We did a price comparison and were excited to see just how much value the Drone Light Festival tickets are providing to the Wichita community. The answer was staggering!
Here’s a breakdown for a family of four, as a comparison:
Museum Admission …………………. $44
Live Science Show ……………………. $20
Dark Side of the Moon ……………. $72
Drone Show …………………………….. $60
Water Lantern Festival …………….. $224
Candlelight Concert ………………… $140
TOTAL: $560!
Drone Light Festival tickets include admission for up to nine people, parking for one vehicle and all of the things listed above for just $60!
Members, don’t forget to sign in to receive a $10 discount per carload.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the 2023 Drone Formation Contest! From the entries, the following winners were chosen and their drone formation ideas will come to life this September.
Includes parking for one vehicle and festival admission for up to 9 individuals.
The Carload Pass is perfect for those needing parking and/or are bringing multiple guests. Only those who have pre-purchased a Carload Pass will be allowed to bring their vehicle onto the event grounds and parking lot. Carload Passes will not be sold at the event gates and will likely sell out before the event dates, so grab your pass early to ensure parking and entry.
Individual Ticket
A limited number of individual tickets will be available for each day. These tickets do not include parking and are for walk-in entry only. If you require parking, including those who have a Disabled Parking Placard, you will need to purchase a Carload Pass to park in the Exploration Place lot.
Great for those who will be riding a bicycle or walking.
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 can be animated, and choreographed with music, to create a mesmerizing and powerful experience.
The program will be presented by Firefly Drone Shows, one of the most experienced operators in the country. They are launching 300 drones into formations that will soar up to 400 feet above the Wichita skyline (as a point of reference, the Epic Center is 320 feet tall).
*NEW for 2023* This year’s show will feature 300 drones, compared to the 200 drones in 2022.
A variety of animated scenes will be presented, including several that have been customized specially for us. While we’re keeping some of them secret until the actual show… but, yes… we are planning to have a giant Wichita flag in the sky! The show will culminate with a special lighting of the Keeper of the Plains fire pots.
Our advice is to find a spot on the river bank or river path that provides a clear view of the Keeper of the Plains, and the two bridge pillars. If you can see all three, you should have a great view. The sound system will cover the whole viewing area. See site map for details.
*NEW for 2023* The launch site has been updated from 2022 and we can confirm that the show will be directly over the Keeper.
The gates will open at 6 pm and we encourage you to come early! On the grounds, there will be live music, demonstrations, games, local vendors, food, drink and other entertainment. It’s also a great opportunity to explore Exploration Place which is fully included with your admission to the event. In addition to all of our established favorites don’t miss the acclaimed permanent exhibit Health Inside Out.
Please note that if you have purchased a Carload Pass, that all guests must arrive in the same vehicle and none can walk-in separately through the gate using that pass. Because you have purchased a Carload Pass it will guarantee you parking at the event.
Details subject to change as we get closer to the event.
The VIP area is reserved for show sponsors and those with pre-purchased tickets. Tickets are available for $100 per person and is in addition to the Carload Pass or individual admission. VIP ticket holders will have access to designated seating during the Drone Show, seating in the VIP terrace, food and drinks, a guided tour through the drone launch zone, and more.
A limited number of accessible parking spaces are available, and a wheelchair accessible viewing area has been assigned for the drone show itself. See site map for details. The Exploration Place buildings and exhibits are ADA compliant.
Accessible parking spaces will require the purchase of a Carload Pass. Individual tickets do not include parking, including accessible spaces.
It is unlawful for any person to have any animal at any festival or community event authorized under a permit issued pursuant to the City Code* and occurring within the city, unless such animal is a specially trained service dog and actually in the control of the disabled person. For this reason, we cannot allow admission of any animals or pets within the festival grounds unless they are certified service animals.
*Pursuant to Chapter 3.11 of the Code of the City of Wichita
Re-entry is not permitted for vehicles. If you need to leave the gated area by foot, stop at the check-in tent and get a wristband for re-entry. Without a wristband, you will not be able to re-enter.
The drones can fly in wind speeds of up to 25mph –by comparison – 20mph winds will cancel most fireworks shows. The show may be delayed for up to 1 hour to allow temporary weather conditions to pass. In 2022 we had to move the launch time forward in order to avoid pending storms.
In the event of cancelation or delay, announcements will be made as soon as possible via email, social media and using the sitewide PA system. Please make sure you are on-site 60 minutes before the show’s start time in case there is a last minute weather change.
In the unlikely event of complete cancelation, the rain date is Sunday, September 24. The show will be held unless Exploration Place makes the decision to cancel due to wind, lightning or other unsafe conditions.
The mission of Exploration Place is “to inspire a deeper interest in science and technology through creative and fun experiences for all.” We believe this is a creative and fun way to appreciate the increasing importance of drones and UAVs in the modern world.
Like fireworks, the drones will be visible from miles around and all spectators are welcome, wherever they are. But the prime viewing spot will be at Exploration Place, for two big reasons. (1) The positioning and orientation of the show in the sky will be optimized for spectators watching from Exploration Place. (2) The show is choreographed to music that will be played through a sound system that covers the Exploration Place grounds.
Tickets are sold by specific date, with no refunds or rainchecks. The rain date is Sunday, September 24. If the event is cancelled due to inclement weather or technical issues, the price of your ticket will be converted into a tax-deductible donation for Exploration Place. No refunds will be issued.
Yes! We love volunteers. Individuals and groups (age 16+) can find out more about volunteer opportunities and register for each night HERE.
The Dark Side of the Moon planetarium show in The Dome
Journey through a cosmic realm that pays tribute to Pink Floyd’s enduring legacy and 50th anniversary of their iconic album, The Dark Side of the Moon. Vibrant colors and mesmerizing animations synchronize with the timeless tracks, immersive visuals and powerful emotions evoked by this legendary album. This is the only large-screen film endorsed by the band itself.
