A change in radio frequency sent the drones down.
Drone light shows have become an attractive alternative to fireworks, and when done right, can be an amazing form of entertainment.
However, if it goes wrong, it can become quite a dangerous affair.
That was unfortunately the case in Sydney, Australia, where almost 90 drones fell from the sky over Darling Harbour during a traditional winter light show.
Chilling footage shows devices splashing into the water, close to the crowds.
#VividSydney festival’s #drone show has been cancelled after a technical malfunction caused drones fall from the sky on Monday night. Almost 90 drones fell out of formation and into the harbour. #accident
By Wang Cong｜Video via local media pic.twitter.com/wlvwfcfYAB
— CCTV Asia Pacific (@CCTVAsiaPacific) May 26, 2026
BBC reported:
“Organizers of Vivid Sydney, an annual three-week festival that features large light installations, said the malfunction on Monday evening, local time, was due to ‘unforeseen technical difficulties’ and has cancelled two upcoming shows.
Footage of Monday’s show captured dozens of drones as they tumbled out of the night sky, leaving bystanders confused by the aerial display.”
The drones at @VividSydney were dive bombing into Darling Harbour, tonight.
No, it wasn’t on purpose. pic.twitter.com/VSqSMgSzQX
— Taraustralis (@Taraustralis) May 25, 2026
The British company behind the show blamed ‘a change in radio frequency’ for the glitch, and said that none of the drones fell outside ‘safety boundaries’.
“’During the performance on the evening of 25 May, Skymagic experienced a technical issue that resulted in 89 drones landing in the water around Cockle Bay’, a Skymagic spokesperson said, referring to the wharf area in Darling Harbour. The main cause was ‘an unforeseen change in the radio frequency environment occurring after take-off’, Skymagic said, triggering some drones ‘to enact failsafe landing procedures in response to compromised positional accuracy’.”
Vivid’s star-bound drone show has taken falling stars a bit too literally. Drones started dropping out of the sky last night after a major technical malfunction, leading to the show’s cancellation. pic.twitter.com/p67Xtbtadk
— 10 News Sydney (@10NewsSyd) May 26, 2026
89 drones fell from the sky during the second night of Vivid Sydney’s drone show at Darling Harbour due to an unforeseen change in the radio frequency environment. pic.twitter.com/93EvRaxgGb
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) May 26, 2026
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