Flight 2026: Drone Show Canberra Lights Up Lake Burley Griffin

Introduction: Why the drone show Canberra matters

The drone show Canberra returns as a focal point of Australia Day weekend festivities, blending technology, art and civic ceremony. Flight 2026 — an award-winning drone skyshow — is billed as a multi-sensory event that will reflect, respect and celebrate the evolving story of the nation. For residents and visitors, the event provides a shared public experience on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin during a nationally significant weekend.

Main details of Flight 2026

Dates, location and schedule

Flight 2026 takes place across three nights: 24–26 January 2026. The shows will be staged over Lake Burley Griffin, with public programming on the Australia Day weekend. On each night there will be two different drone performances, scheduled for 9:00pm and 10:00pm on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

Technology and production

The production will unite lights and 600 drones to create intricate aerial choreography. Organisers describe the presentation as cutting-edge drone choreography with synchronised lighting, immersive music and layered lighting design around the lake. The design aims to form a seamless, multi-sensory spectacle that can be enjoyed from various viewing points around Lake Burley Griffin.

Associated events

Flight 2026 is presented as FLIGHT: Drone SkyShow + Night Markets, pairing the aerial displays with night market activity along the foreshore. The broader Australia Day program on Lake Burley Griffin includes the National Citizenship and Flag Raising Ceremony on the shores of the lake, attended by the Prime Minister, Governor‑General, diplomatic corps and Australian of the Year Awards recipients and alumni. Australia Day at Regatta Point follows this ceremony and invites Canberrans to come together in community celebration.

Conclusion: Significance for the public

Running 24–26 January 2026, Flight 2026 promises bigger, brighter and bolder drone displays for Canberra audiences. With 600 drones, two nightly shows and complementary night markets, the drone show Canberra aims to provide memorable shared experiences for families and visitors while tying into national civic events on the lake. Viewers are encouraged to watch from the many vantage points around Lake Burley Griffin to take in the layered lighting, music and choreography that form the heart of the production.