Las Vegas Brings the Strip Together for a First‑of‑its‑Kind Drone and Fireworks Night to Welcome 2026

Nighttime on the Strip becomes a shared moment as resorts sync drones and fireworks

Las Vegas will start 2026 with a new kind of show. Ten major resorts on the Strip plan to fire off fireworks and launch choreographed drones at the same moment, creating a single, citywide spectacle that stretches across several blocks of the skyline. The event is being billed as the first time that so many properties have coordinated this closely for New Year’s.

Crowds will gather on sidewalks, hotel terraces and public viewing areas as the nine‑minute program unfolds. Organizers say the mix of traditional fireworks and precise drone formations will give viewers both the thunder and sparkle people expect on New Year’s Eve and the crisp shapes and moving patterns that drones make possible. City officials and tourism planners are pitching the idea as a fresh reason to visit Las Vegas during a time of year that usually runs hot for bookings and local revenue.

How the drones and fireworks will work—what you’ll actually see

The production combines two kinds of spectacle. Fireworks will still provide the loud, bright bursts above the skyline. At the same time, hundreds of drones will fly in carefully timed formations, creating shapes, logos and sweeping patterns that fireworks alone can’t do. Event producers say the choreography is driven by a central timing system so every drone and every firework cue lines up across the resorts.

On the ground, viewers should expect a layered show: a big, traditional pyrotechnic blast as a frame, with drones adding moving images and color fills. Organizers described sequences that will shift from classic New Year’s motifs to more modern, graphic displays. Creative teams responsible for the drone programming said safety buffers, GPS fail‑safes and redundant communications will control the fleet so the moving lights track precisely over the Strip.

Producers framed the mix as a way to keep the spectacle familiar for older visitors while giving younger viewers something new to photograph and share.

Who’s taking part, and the best places to watch

Ten resorts on the central Strip are listed as official participants. They include a mix of long‑running megacasinos and newer hotels that have been renovating their rooftops and facades in recent years. Organizers suggest several public viewing zones along the Strip where the view will be broad and uninterrupted.

If you want a quieter spot, consider booking a hotel room with a Strip‑facing balcony or a restaurant with a terrace view. Families with children may prefer spaces a short walk from the loudest fireworks zones to avoid the heaviest crowds and the loudest booms. Tickets are not required for many public sidewalks, but properties may sell limited rooftop or viewing‑area passes for guaranteed sightlines.

Expect restaurants and hotel lounges near the action to offer special packages that include food and early access to private platforms or decks.

Getting there and getting home: road, transit and safety tips

The city is planning road closures on parts of the Strip and nearby cross streets for crowd control. Public transit and shuttle services will run extended hours, and officials recommend using buses, trams or ride‑share drop‑off zones rather than trying to drive and park close to the action.

Arrive early—several hours before midnight—if you want a spot near the front. Event staff will set up barricades and entry points to manage lines, and security checks may be in place. Bring warm clothes, water and a shared plan with anyone in your group about where to meet if you get separated in the crowds.

Why this coordinated show matters for Las Vegas in winter

A synchronized display like this is designed to be a headline moment that draws visitors during a season that casinos and hotels rely on to top up room sales. City tourism officials expect higher occupancy around the holiday weekend and more interest from people who might otherwise celebrate locally.

Coordinated events also help Las Vegas stand out against other destinations by offering something new: a single, panoramic spectacle rather than separate hotel shows. For local businesses—from restaurants to shops—the crowd boost on New Year’s Eve can ripple into the first days of January, a useful lift for the winter quarter.

Where to find photos, streams and official quotes

Organizers are distributing official photos and live‑stream information through the tourism authority and each participating resort’s press channels. If you want official assets or the full list of partners, check Las Vegas tourism posts and the resorts’ media pages or social accounts.

In promotional material, a city tourism spokesperson called the plan “a once‑in‑the‑city spectacle” and said it was designed to show how Las Vegas can innovate while keeping the crowd favorites that make New Year’s here feel big and communal.

Sources

• prnewswire.com