The University of Virginia’s annual Lighting of the Lawn event traditionally illuminates the Rotunda and surrounding pavilions, but the lights will soar to new heights this year. The sky above the Rotunda will come alive with the event’s first-ever drone light display. 

Featuring 100 synchronized drones, each acting as a pixel in an aerial performance synced to music, the show is an innovative addition to UVA’s cherished wintertime tradition. 

Each drone serves as a pixel in the aerial light display, creating images that span across the night sky. (Photo by Sky Elements)

Set to take place Friday, Lighting of the Lawn has been a cornerstone of UVA holiday culture for 23 years. Originally created to uplift the UVA community in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the event has since grown into an annual tradition, drawing more than 15,000 students, staff and community members to celebrate the season and witness the thousands of LED lights artfully strung on the Lawn. 

This year’s drone display is made possible through a collaboration with Sky Elements, a leading aerial entertainment company that produces more than 60% of the nation’s drone light shows. 

UVA President Jim Ryan’s “Arts on the Hill” program, which supports creative initiatives that bring art and community together at UVA, funded the drone show.

Sky Elements gained national recognition in September after placing third in the finale of “America’s Got Talent.”

During the group’s audition, “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell pressed the “Golden Buzzer,” a feature used to recognize the show’s most impressive auditions, which sent Sky Elements straight to the live show. 

“There were six folks from Sky Elements representing us on stage,” Tyler Jack, account executive of Sky Elements, said. “We are super happy for the winner, but it was definitely an incredible experience for our company to get third place.” 

Planning a drone show is no small feat, especially in a setting as iconic as the Lawn. The Lighting of the Lawn committee, led by the Fourth-Year Trustees, reached out to Sky Elements to make this addition a reality. 

James Edwards, left, and Liv Schortmann, right, president and vice president of the Fourth-Year Trustees, spearheaded the drone show, working with Sky Elements to bring the idea to life. (Contributed photo)

“When we decided to do a drone show, we did a nationwide search and identified Sky Elements,” James Edwards, president of the Fourth-Year Trustees, said. “They have worked with many colleges and universities. Their experience with historical locations and close-proximity shows made them the perfect fit for UVA.”

Before pursuing an event at Lighting of the Lawn, Sky Elements needed to evaluate the airspace and set up logistics. 

“We need a certain area of space to set up our drones, and we found there’s plenty of space near the north side of the Rotunda,” Jack said. “Once we understood that the airspace wouldn’t be an issue, we could move forward.”

The Lighting of the Lawn team collaborated closely with Sky Elements to design the show, ensuring it aligned with the event’s existing traditions. 

“We didn’t want to take away from Lighting of the Lawn, but add to it,” Liv Schortmann, vice president of the Fourth-Year Trustees, said. “The final designs come together after a months-long process to create something meaningful for the occasion.” 

Once Sky Elements’ animators mock up their designs, a video render displays how the animations will transition and sync with the music. 

Planning the drone light show required coordination with multiple UVA departments to integrate it into the already highly collaborative event. 

In the hours leading up to a show, Sky Elements meticulously arranges the drones to ensure precise launches and seamless synchronization for their performance. (Contributed photo)

“Lighting of the Lawn is a very collaborative process,” Edwards said. “The drama department students are our resident experts, helping with the colored lights, while the committee handles the mix and lighting synchronization. Now, the drones add another layer to this teamwork.” 

The effort also involved UVA’s emergency and risk management teams to ensure every logistical detail was addressed. 

“There are a lot of moving parts to ensure everything goes off smoothly, especially for the very first drone light show at Lighting of the Lawn,” Jack said. 

The 12-minute show will include winter-themed designs and animations choreographed to a carefully curated playlist.