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Record-Breaking Drone Show in China Makes Fireworks Look Stone Age

Nearly sixteen thousand drones, controlled from a single computer, set new world records in Liuyang, the historic birthplace of gunpowder.

29 December 2025 · 08:25 UTC

A record-breaking drone display in China has redefined the future of large-scale public spectacles, eclipsing traditional fireworks with precision, scale, and technological coordination.

The event took place in Liuyang, a city historically known as the birthplace of gunpowder and long associated with fireworks production.

In a striking reversal of tradition, the city hosted a drone show titled “A Firework Belonging to Me,” featuring 15,947 drones operated simultaneously from a single computer system.

The performance shattered two world records, including one that surpassed a previous benchmark involving 7,496 drones.

The synchronized formations filled the night sky with complex shapes and visual narratives, demonstrating a level of control and scalability that far exceeds conventional pyrotechnics.

The display underscored how rapidly drone technology is transforming entertainment, combining advanced software, centralized command systems, and mass coordination.

In a city once defined by explosive powder, the future of spectacle was delivered quietly, electrically, and with mathematical precision.