Lowell Debuts Drone Show Over Downtown
Hundreds of drones lit up the sky over downtown Lowell during MonsterBash and Fall Fest, marking the city's first drone show.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Civic
Hundreds of drones took to the sky above downtown Lowell during MonsterBash and Fall Fest, projecting the city's 200-year history. The show, funded by the Lowell Bicentennial Committee, was the first of its kind held in the city.
Why it matters
The show marks a milestone in Lowell's bicentennial year, bringing a new form of spectacle to residents and visitors in the city's downtown. It follows the Bicentennial Committee's largest-ever fireworks display, reflecting an ongoing push to mark the anniversary with public events.
The event drew over 6,000 people to downtown Lowell, supported by roughly $1 million raised from private donors for this year's celebrations. The source does not specify the exact drone count or the show's cost beyond that fundraising total.
The players
Lowell Bicentennial Committee
The committee funded the drone show and the city's broader bicentennial celebrations, raising about $1 million from private donors for this year's events.
Kiwanis Club of Greater Lowell
The civic club co-produces MonsterBash and Fall Fest with the city of Lowell each year.
The details
Hundreds of drones were flown above downtown Lowell to project the city's 200-year history in the sky during MonsterBash and Fall Fest. The festivities also featured carnival rides, a haunted house, musical performances, and trick-or-treating at downtown businesses, held through a collaboration between the city and the Kiwanis Club of Greater Lowell.
Timeline
2026: Lowell's bicentennial year, when the first-ever drone show was held.
Months before the drone show: The Bicentennial Committee sponsored the city's largest-ever fireworks display.
November 2, 2026: The drone show was held during MonsterBash and Fall Fest downtown.
Season Trajectory
The drone show follows the Lowell Bicentennial Committee's largest-ever fireworks display earlier in the bicentennial year, extending a pattern of large public spectacles. It fits within the city's broader 200th-anniversary programming, which the committee has sustained through private fundraising.
Residents and visitors could attend the downtown festivities at no cost to view the drone show, which was held alongside carnival rides, a haunted house, and musical performances. The source does not indicate whether the drone show will be repeated in future years.
The takeaway
Community events that blend history with new technology can draw large crowds and bring a city's anniversary to life for residents. Lowell's first drone show shows how a bicentennial can be marked in ways that reach both longtime locals and visitors.
Further reading
Explore more Civic coverage for context on Lowell's community events.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Lowell Sun.
