400-drone light show for Great Yarmouth’s Big Wednesday finale

 

Spectacular light drone shows will entertain evening crowds at Hemsby and Great Yarmouth next week after their sensational display at Great Yarmouth this week when they replaced the weekly fireworks.

Visit Great Yarmouth’s last Big Wednesday of 2026 summer holidays will be a showcase finale featuring the aerial artistry of Lumina’s light drones – but with 400 drones, double the number in this week’s display.

The dazzling and immersive experience specially designed for the seafront venue will bring the six seafront summer events to a close, and to Hemsby’s Big Tuesdays.

Lumina, which performs drone light shows across the UK and Europe, stepped in at the last minute this week performing vivid formations and choreography in the sky over Great Yarmouth beach when the national wildfire alert stopped the usual free fireworks.

AeroSPARX’s motor glider – that replaced its pyrotechnic display with coloured smoke this week in line with the alert – will fly before the drone display, which will take place after dusk.

A decision on whether the usual fireworks display will take place, and if plane pilot Rob Barsby will be firing fireworks instead of smoke will be taken next week in line with guidance.

Visit Great Yarmouth CEO Asa Morrison said: “Lumina was tremendous ensuring the show went on this week and the show it put together for Great Yarmouth at such short notice was fantastic. It went down so well with the crowds.

“Next week the drones will be at Hemsby first on Big Tuesday and then return to Great Yarmouth. New displays are planned for each location bringing summer 2026 Big Tuesdays and Big Wednesdays to a unique conclusion.

Thousands of people have flocked to the seafront every Wednesday to enjoy the vibrant fun family atmosphere, he said.

“For Big Wednesdays, seafront businesses have come together as a community to make the most of the crowds by putting on their own events and we are actively encouraging our businesses to organise their own traditional entertainment to make it a bigger and better event.

“Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach opens on Wednesday evenings, the Britannia Pier and Joyland put on their own events to complement the fireworks, the arcades are all open and there is so much going on.”

Nathan Race, chair of Visit Great Yarmouth, said: “Lumina put on an amazing show and will support us in providing a fitting end to our programme.

“Every year, the seafront area is busier with our fantastic businesses working together to make sure Wednesdays are bigger and better every year.”

Lumina will use drones equipped with LED lights, synchronising them to create patterns and designs in the night sky. “No two shows alike. Just your vision, written in light,” it promises.