Flying drones over festivals and events

Misconception: You’re always allowed to fly in uncontrolled airspace

A misconception: “There’s no no-fly zone on the map, so flying is allowed.” Unfortunately, the reality is a bit more nuanced. Two principles always apply simultaneously.

1. The type of airspace: check whether you’re allowed to fly there (indeed: no no-fly zones).
2. Operational rules: what you’re allowed to do there (distances from people, crowds, altitude, VLOS). The ban on flying over crowds also applies here.

When am I allowed to fly over people?

The open category has three subcategories. None of these three subcategories permits flying over crowds.

The difference lies in how close you’re allowed to get to individual, uninvolved people.

What counts as a crowd?

Under current legislation, a crowd is defined as a group of people who cannot move out of the way if a drone were to crash into them. Below are a few examples of situations where people are considered a crowd and when they are not.

The difference between involved and uninvolved people

An involved person knows you’re flying, has been informed, and has given their consent. Festival-goers are, by definition, uninvolved: you can’t inform 20,000 people individually. At a small private party, it’s a different story.

Four real-world scenarios

Let’s keep it practical!

1. Filming a festival from the outskirts

This is possible, but with caution. Stay outside the festival grounds, do not fly over the crowd or lines, stay outside any no-fly zones, and always keep your drone in sight. Also be aware that virtually every festival prohibits drones in its rules and regulations: taking off from the grounds themselves is simply not allowed without permission from the organizers.

2. A wedding or private party

There’s some leeway here. Guests at a private party can be considered involved parties: you or the bride and groom inform them that a drone will be flying, they give their consent, and they know what to expect. Then, your drone may fly close by for filming, up to and including a C2 license.

3. An amateur sports competition

The spectators along the sidelines usually consist of bystanders. Therefore, flying a drone is not automatically permitted.

4. Village festival, fair, or parade

A crowded shopping street during a fair is a crowd, no matter how pleasant it may seem. So don’t fly over it. The alternative that does work: film the setup in the early morning or the empty street immediately after the event ends. That often yields even better footage than a chaotic crowd shot.

How professionals do fly over events

The drone footage you’re familiar with from festivals and stadiums comes from operators flying in a specific category. They have an operational authorization from a CAA based on a SORA risk analysis, or operate under a LUC (Light UAS Certificate). This includes requirements such as parachute systems, restricted zones, practiced procedures, permission from the organizer, and appropriate insurance. The processing time for a permit application can easily take a year and a half.

Interested in the specific category? The training path begins with a theoretical foundation: the complete EU Drone License (A1/A3 + A2) and then the STS theory training. In the meantime, the application process for authorization with the CAA can already be started.

Do I risk a fine if I fly over an event?

The ILT and the police actively enforce regulations at large events using drone detection. Flying over a crowd is one of the most serious violations in the open category. Expect fines ranging from hundreds to thousands of euros, confiscation of your drone, and criminal prosecution if you endanger others. On top of that, there’s civil liability: if someone gets injured, you’re liable for the damages, and your insurance typically doesn’t cover a deliberately illegal flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you allowed to fly a drone over a festival?
No. Flying over crowds is prohibited in the open category for all drones and all drone licenses. Only operators with a permit in the specific category are allowed to do so under strict conditions.

What counts as a crowd according to EASA?
A crowd is a group of people who cannot get out of the way in time if a drone crashes into them. Think of a crowd at a concert, festival, or a very busy, open shopping street (with no place to take cover).

Is there automatically a no-fly zone over events?
No. The festival grounds are not automatically a no-fly zone. However, the ban on flying over crowds applies even without a no-fly zone. For large events such as the Four Days Marches or Formula 1, the government often does establish a temporary no-fly zone. Therefore, check your no-fly zone app before every flight.

Can a drone fly over a wedding?
Yes, under certain conditions. Guests who have been informed and give their consent are considered involved parties. You may conduct the flight using a drone with a C0, C1, or C2 label. Be sure to check in advance that there is no no-fly zone.

How are professionals allowed to fly over crowds?
In the specific category: an operational authorization from the CAA based on a SORA risk analysis or a LUC. This includes requirements such as parachute systems, restricted zones, and permission from the organizer.

What is the fine for flying over a crowd?
Approximate: hundreds to thousands of euros, depending on the severity, with possible confiscation of your drone. Criminal prosecution is possible, and you are civilly liable for damage or injury.

Know the rules before you take off

The line between a great event shot and a serious violation is knowing these kinds of rules. That knowledge is exactly what you learn in, among other things, the course for the EU Drone License (A1/A3) , and through the additional A2 certificate. Drone Class is accredited by RDW (NL) and EASA: over 75,000 pilots have completed the course before you, with a 4.9 rating from over 3,300 reviews and a 95% first-time pass rate.

→ Read also: Are you allowed to fly a drone in a residential area?