The Drone Light Festival at Exploration Place will take place this Fall. The Drone Show in Wichita is a family favorite, but tickets to the Drone Festival tend to sell out every year.
This event combines three incredible experiences into one unforgettable experience. The festival offers breathtaking views of 500 synchronized drones, fully choreographed to music. This is 100 more drones than last year, and for the first time ever, they are adding pyro drones, bringing bursts of light and special effects to the performance.
The show is paired with a live soundtrack performed by a string quartet led by former Wichita Symphony Orchestra concertmaster John Harrison, creating a one-of-a-kind blend of music, technology and storytelling.
Exploration Place hosted its first drone festival a couple of years ago, and it was a huge success. We love attending this event and can’t wait to go again this year. I highly recommend it—it offers so much for the price! You get to see the show, explore the museum, listen to live music, and enjoy the entire kids’ area.
When is the Drone Show at Exploration Place? September 25, 26 & 27, 2026.
Drone Light Festival at Exploration Place
- This Festival is on 3 separate days
- Friday, September 25, 2026
- Saturday, September 26, 2026
- Sunday, September 27, 2026
- The doors open at 6 p.m., and the Drone show begins around 9 p.m.
- The Drone Show will be directly above the Keeper of the Plains
- When they started this event, they had 200 drones; 2 years ago, they had 300; last year, they had 400; and this year, they will have 500+ pyro drones.
- New custom drone formations for the show this year.
Drone Show 2026 Highlights
- Food trucks
- Live DJ in the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater
- Live music in the Graze Picnic Grove
- Dome laser light shows
- Karaoke in the Live Science Theater
- Family-friendly activities
- Admission to Exploration Place
- Access to the Adventure Playscape
Pro Tip: Get your tickets early, as they sold out in the last two years.
Wichita Drone Show Tickets
What is Included with Your Ticket Price for a Carload of 9 People: BEST DEAL
- Parking space in the Exploration Place lot.
- Access to watch the drone show from the Wichita Foundation Amphitheater.
- Your ticket includes admission to the museum, exhibits, and dome theater.
- Regular admission price is $21 per adult.
- Activity stations inside are FREE with your ticket price.
As you can see, the carload tickets are an incredible deal. Paying general admission to the museum alone would cost $189 for a group of 9, as adult tickets are $21 each. With the carload option, you get so much more for a fraction of that price. Not only does it include museum admission, but you also get to experience a spectacular 500-drone show, enjoy a variety of extra activities, and take advantage of access to the dome theater and other special features.
When you add it all up, the value is huge. You’re getting entertainment, education, and a unique family-friendly experience all bundled into one affordable ticket. For families or groups, it’s a way to stretch your budget while still creating a full evening of memories.
I think the Carload passes are great because they include access for up to 9 people. That is roughly $8.33 per person.
Carload pass: $75
Individual Ticket
- Admission for one person
- Parking is NOT included
- Great option if you’re walking or riding a bicycle
- If you plan to park (including those with a Disabled Parking Placard), you’ll need to purchase a Carload Pass
- Limited number of tickets available each day
Individual Ticket: $21
Reserved Chair (Add-On)
- Reserve a seat in the amphitheater bowl
- Come and go throughout the festival—your seat will be saved
- Includes a wristband for easy re-entry to the reserved seating area
- Perfect for enjoying the live music and drone show without bringing your own chair
- Each person must purchase a Reserved Chair add-on
- Available only as an add-on to an Individual Ticket or Carload Pass
Reserved Seat: $2
VIP Add-On
Upgrade your festival experience with:
- Access to an air-conditioned VIP lounge
- Buffet and cash bar
- Exclusive VIP viewing area with one of the best views of the drone shows
- Behind-the-scenes drone tour to learn how the light shows are created
- Must be purchased in addition to an Individual Ticket or Carload Pass
- Not sold at the gate and likely to sell out, so purchase early
VIP Upgrade: $125
What’s Included With All Tickets
In addition to the incredible Drone Light Show, your admission includes even more family fun. Guests can enjoy free admission to the museum, explore the new Destination Playscape, catch a free Laser KPop Demon Hunters show inside the Dome theater, and relax with free live music throughout the evening. It’s one of the best entertainment values, with something fun for all ages before the drones take to the sky.
What is NOT included in your ticket price:
- Food trucks will be serving food & beverages for purchase. This was last year’s list.
- Batter Em Up
- Burger Depot Food Truck
- Busy B’s
- Chunky Chet’s Cookies
- El Gusto Mexican Eatery
- Funky Monkey Munchies
- Jive Turkey
- Life Gave Me Lemons
- Marineros Tacos Y Mas
- Mook’s Food Truck
- Noble 9 Bakery
- Rice n Tings
- Schwarma UR
- The Popcorner
- Tickled Pink Drinks
- Waffle n Stuff
- Watt’s Cooking and Catering
- Xclusive Event Services, mobile bar
- Some outdoor activities, concessions, and merchandise are available at an additional fee.
Drone Show Music
Live Musical During the Show
Returning by popular demand in 2026, the Drone Light Show will once again feature a live musical score performed by a string quartet led by John Harrison. Watching 500 drones dance across the night sky while live musicians perform creates an unforgettable experience. New this year, the addition of pyro drones takes the show to the next level, making this one of Wichita’s most unique and spectacular summer events.
Live Music at Picnic Grove
Relax beneath the shade of the beautiful trees at Picnic Grove, located in the heart of the Adventure Playscape. Local Wichita musician Trevor Stewart will perform live on the Chapman Stick, creating the perfect atmosphere before the Drone Light Show begins. Graze is located just steps away, making it easy to grab dinner, find a seat, and enjoy an evening of great food, live music, and family fun.
Free Laser Show in the Dome
Fans of KPop Demon Hunters won’t want to miss this free experience! Throughout the evening, Exploration Place will offer free screenings of the popular Laser KPop Demon Hunters show inside the Dome theater. Sing along to the award-winning soundtrack as colorful laser lights bring the music to life in an unforgettable show.
Showtimes are at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00 p.m. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to line up at the Dome entrance a little early if you’d like to catch a show.
Exploration Place Fun Fact: Regular admission to Exploration Place is all-inclusive! One price covers everything: exhibits, live science shows, dome movies, and even laser shows. You can spend the whole day experiencing it all without paying extra, and that’s a deal worth checking out. This is for daily general admission.
