Drone Show Elizabeth Quay: Your Complete Guide to Perth’s Iconic Drone Light Spectacle
If you are planning to head into the city this weekend, the drone show Elizabeth Quay as part of the Festive Lights celebrations is one of Perth’s standout Christmas events for 2025. With a 500-piece drone show, fireworks over the Swan River, live music, food trucks, and family-friendly entertainment, Elizabeth Quay will be transformed into a festive hub for one special night.
This guide covers what time everything starts, when to arrive, where to stand for the best views, what else is happening on the night, and what to expect from the drone and fireworks show itself.
Whether you are searching for drone show Perth today, wondering what time is the drone show tonight, or planning ahead for Elizabeth Quay events today, this article will help you make the most of the evening.
What Is Festive Lights at Elizabeth Quay?
Festive Lights is the City of Perth’s annual Christmas celebration at Elizabeth Quay, bringing together light installations, live entertainment, food, and a major night-time spectacle over the water.
In 2025, the event returns bigger and brighter, with Elizabeth Quay illuminated for one night only on Saturday 13 December. The centrepiece of the evening is a combined Elizabeth Quay light show 2025 featuring a large-scale drone performance followed by fireworks over the Derbarl Yerrigan, also known as the Swan River.
The event is free, family-friendly, and designed to be accessible for all ages, making it one of the most popular Christmas events in Perth.
Key Event Details at a Glance
- Date: Saturday 13 December 2025
- Time: 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm
- Location: Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square, Perth
- Cost: Free
- Main highlight: 500-piece drone show at 8:30 pm followed by fireworks
What Time Does Everything Start?
The question most people ask is what time is the drone show tonight. While the drone show is the highlight, Festive Lights is designed as a full evening experience.
Here is how the night unfolds:
From 5:00 pm
The event officially kicks off at 5:00 pm, with Elizabeth Quay coming alive with:
- Roving performers throughout the precinct
- Hula hoop workshops for kids and adults
- Classic sideshow alley attractions
- The Elizabeth Quay Water Park for those looking to cool off
- A wide range of food trucks and open eateries
From early evening, DJKP will be performing live from a floating stage on the water, setting the atmosphere and building excitement as the night progresses.
8:30 pm: Drone Show and Fireworks
At 8:30 pm, the main event begins. A 500-piece drone light show Perth will take to the sky above the Swan River, accompanied by a narrated soundtrack. The drones will form animated patterns and festive imagery designed specifically for viewing from Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square.
Immediately following the drone performance, the night concludes with a fireworks finale launched from a barge on the river, creating a combined light show that fills the skyline.
What Makes the Drone Show Special?
The drone show Perth 2025 at Elizabeth Quay is one of the largest public drone displays staged in Western Australia this year. Using 500 synchronised drones, the show is carefully choreographed to music and narration, creating a storytelling experience rather than just abstract light patterns.
Unlike fireworks, the drones move slowly and deliberately, allowing the audience to clearly see shapes, animations, and transitions in the sky. The show has been designed with Christmas themes in mind, making it suitable for families and younger children.
Importantly, the drone show has been programmed to be viewed from specific locations. This directly affects where you should stand.
Common Questions About the Drone Show Elizabeth Quay
For many people attending Festive Lights, this may be their first time seeing a large-scale drone performance. Below are answers to the most common questions people ask about the drone show Elizabeth Quay, so you know exactly what to expect on the night.
Are drone shows safe?
Yes. Public drone shows in Australia operate under strict aviation and safety regulations. The drone show at Elizabeth Quay has been carefully planned and approved, with safety systems in place to manage airspace, crowd separation, and operational contingencies.
The drones fly well above the audience and within controlled zones over the Swan River. Each aircraft is monitored throughout the performance, and the show can be paused or adjusted if required.
How loud is the drone show compared to fireworks?
The drone portion of the drone show Elizabeth Quay is very quiet. You will hear the narrated soundtrack and music, but the drones themselves produce only a low hum that is barely noticeable from the viewing areas.
This makes drone shows much more comfortable for young children, elderly attendees, and anyone sensitive to loud noise. The fireworks finale will be louder, so families may wish to prepare accordingly.
Can children and pets attend the drone show?
The event is designed to be family-friendly, and children of all ages are welcome at the drone show Elizabeth Quay. The drone display itself is visually engaging and gentle in tone, particularly compared to traditional fireworks-only events.
Pets are not recommended. Large crowds, music, and fireworks can be stressful for animals, and Elizabeth Quay can become very busy during major events.
What happens if the weather changes?
Drone shows are more weather-sensitive than fireworks. Strong winds, heavy rain, or electrical storms may result in delays or changes to the drone portion of the event.
If conditions are unsafe, organisers may modify the program to prioritise public safety. Updates are typically communicated through official City of Perth event channels on the day.
Can I take photos or videos of the drone show?
Yes. Photography and video recording are allowed, and the drone show Elizabeth Quay is extremely popular on social media. For best results, switch your phone to night mode, hold it steady, and avoid using flash.
Please be mindful of others around you and avoid obstructing views for extended periods.
Is the drone show the same every year?
No. Each drone show is custom designed for the event and year. The formations, animations, music, and narration are created specifically for the Festive Lights program.
This means the 2025 drone show Elizabeth Quay will be different from previous years, even for regular attendees.
Best Viewing Locations for the Drone Show Elizabeth Quay
To get the full experience of the drone show Elizabeth Quay, location matters.
The City of Perth recommends viewing from:
- Elizabeth Quay Inlet
- Barrack Square
These areas align with the orientation of the drone formations and the direction of the narrated soundtrack.
If you are standing in these zones, you will:
- See the drone images correctly oriented
- Hear the full soundtrack and narration
- Have access to food, seating, and amenities
Can You Watch from South Perth or Kings Park?
While it may be tempting to view the show from South Perth or Kings Park, the City of Perth advises against it if you want the full experience.
The drone show has not been designed to be viewed from those locations. If watched from outside Elizabeth Quay or Barrack Square:
- Drone images may appear reversed or incomplete
- The narration and soundtrack will not be audible
- You will miss the surrounding event atmosphere
For this reason, arriving early and securing a spot within the recommended viewing areas is strongly encouraged.
Fireworks at Elizabeth Quay 2025
The Elizabeth Quay fireworks 2025 display follows immediately after the drone show, launching from a barge positioned on the Swan River.
The fireworks are designed to complement the drone performance rather than overshadow it. Expect a festive, high-energy finale that lights up the river and surrounding skyline.
Because fireworks are louder and brighter, families with very young children may want to prepare with ear protection or position themselves slightly further back from the water’s edge.
Food, Drinks, and Facilities
One of the strengths of Festive Lights is that it is not just a short spectacle. It is a full evening out.
Throughout the event, visitors can enjoy:
- A wide selection of food trucks offering sweet and savoury options
- Permanent bars and restaurants around Elizabeth Quay
- Ample seating areas to relax and eat
- Public toilets and water stations
If you are planning to eat on site, arriving earlier in the evening will give you more choice and shorter queues.
Getting There and Parking
Elizabeth Quay is easily accessible by public transport, including train, bus, and ferry services.
For those driving, the City of Perth is offering three hours of free parking on weekends and public holidays at select City of Perth car parks. This makes it easier for families to attend without worrying about parking costs.
Given the popularity of the event, public transport is recommended where possible, and extra travel time should be allowed.
What Else Is Happening Around Elizabeth Quay?
Festive Lights also ties into Perth’s wider Christmas celebrations. Visitors are encouraged to explore the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail, with installations at both Elizabeth Quay and Barrack Square.
This makes the event ideal for those wanting to turn the night into a longer city visit, combining light displays, food, and entertainment.
Tips for Making the Most of the Night
- Arrive before 7:00 pm to secure a good viewing position
- Bring water, hats, and sunscreen for the early evening
- Prepare for crowds and allow extra time to move around
- Position children where they can see above the crowd
- Stay for both the drone show and fireworks for the full experience
Why Festive Lights Is One of Perth’s Best Christmas Events
The combination of a large-scale drone light show Perth, fireworks, live music, and family entertainment makes Festive Lights one of the most complete public events on the Perth calendar.
It showcases how modern technology and traditional celebration can work together, while keeping the event accessible, inclusive, and visually spectacular.
If you are deciding which Elizabeth Quay events today are worth attending, this is one that genuinely delivers.
Final Thoughts
The drone show Elizabeth Quay at Festive Lights is more than just something to watch. It is a shared city experience that marks the start of the Christmas season in Perth.
If you are attending this weekend, plan ahead, arrive early, and take the time to enjoy everything on offer. From the first music on the floating stage at 5:00 pm to the final fireworks over the Swan River, it is shaping up to be a memorable night for locals and visitors alike.