Drones Forbidden to Fly in New York for New Year’s

A grand drone show was scheduled to light up the New York sky tonight, but the little creatures will stay on the ground.

Every year, the New York Road Runners (NYRR) organize a running event to celebrate the New Year: the Midnight Run. This event, more festive than athletic, attracts thousands of participants in Central Park, offering a unique experience to welcome the new year. The race starts at midnight, and runners, often dressed in costumes or luminous outfits, cover 4 miles (about 6.4 kilometers) in a joyful atmosphere. Traditionally, the race is accompanied by a spectacular fireworks display to mark the transition into the new year.

This year, due to a record wildfire season in New York, the NYRR had planned to replace the fireworks with a drone show, a modern and eco-friendly alternative gaining popularity. Unfortunately, just days before the event, this Plan B was canceled, leaving participants and spectators without a Plan C to accompany the race.

“As always, our priority is to provide a memorable experience for the runners celebrating the arrival of 2025 during the NYRR Midnight Run in Central Park. Unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond our control, the drone show planned during the race cannot take place,” stated a NYRR spokesperson to NBC New York.

Although the official reasons include constraints related to recent fires, this cancellation also appears linked to a serious incident that occurred in Florida on December 21st. During a similar show, a drone struck a 7-year-old boy, requiring open-heart surgery. The company Sky Elements Drones, responsible for the project in Central Park, is now under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Ultimately, whether with black powder or propellers, shows remain a very uncertain science. All the more reason to take a pause and look up when you’re lucky enough to witness it!

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