The MOTB drone show at Dubai Shopping Festival

A сreative playground meets the night sky

Market Outside The Box (MOTB) has been a staple of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) for 12 editions, redefining the shopping experience with its open-air marketplace, vibrant atmosphere, and fusion of fashion, food, music, and art. As part of DSF’s mission to celebrate innovation and culture, MOTB has become a go-to destination for those seeking something beyond the ordinary—a space where creativity thrives, and trends are born.

This year, the retro-inspired energy of MOTB was elevated even further with our drone show, seamlessly blending nostalgia with advanced technology. The sky above Dubai Design District (d3) became an extension of MOTB’s unique vibe, where light, movement, and memories came together in an unforgettable spectacle.

Cyberdrone & MOTB’s aerial tribute to the past

When Cyberdrone and MOTB joined forces, the result was a perfect extension of MOTB’s atmosphere, bringing its retro essence to life in the sky. Every detail, from the color palette to the iconic formations, was carefully designed to match the bold, vibrant aesthetic of classic arcade games, vintage gadgets, and neon-lit memories.

This immersive aerial performance didn’t just entertain—it amplified MOTB’s creative spirit, adding a new dimension to the experience. The night sky became an open canvas where light, movement, and nostalgia fused together, creating a visual narrative that was both a spectacular attraction and an engaging promotional tool. The show captivated visitors, drew crowds, and became a stunning finale for the Dubai Shopping Festival, reinforcing MOTB’s place as a cultural hotspot and a must-visit destination.

Lights, retro, action: A neon dream in the Dubai sky

We used 1,000 drones to illuminate MOTB’s signature retro energy for 15 minutes. Every formation was a living memory, shaped by its time yet brought to life here and now, in 2025.

As the show unfolded, the sky became a living time capsule, where the beloved symbols of decades past were reimagined in brilliant motion and light. Let’s take a moment to step back into the experience and relive the meaning behind some of the formations:

📺 The vintage TV—a window to the past

A glowing retro television set flickered to life in the sky, evoking memories of a time when screens were small, but their impact was enormous. It was the heart of every living room, where families gathered for cartoons, late-night talk shows, and blockbuster films. In that moment, the night sky became the biggest screen of all, ready to broadcast a story written in light.

🎮 Joysticks—the pulse of every arcade

A pair of classic joysticks emerged, a tribute to the golden age of arcade gaming. These were more than just controllers; they were the gateway to pixelated worlds, where battles were won, friendships were forged, and high scores became legends. Their presence in the sky rekindled the excitement of neon-lit arcades, flashing screens, and the rhythmic sound of buttons being smashed in pursuit of victory.

❤️ 8-bit Heart—Where Nostalgia Meets Emotion

A pixelated 8-bit heart pulsed above the crowd, instantly recognizable to anyone who grew up with classic video games. It symbolized the thrill of an extra life, the satisfaction of leveling up, and the simple joy of an era when gaming was about adventure, imagination, and limitless possibility. More than a game reference, it was a glowing reminder of the way nostalgia connects us across time.

📼 Cassette tape—the soundtrack of a generation

Hovering in the sky like an oversized mixtape, a cassette tape unraveled, bringing back the era when music was something you could hold, rewind, and rewind again. It was the soundtrack of friendships, road trips, and late-night confessions, recorded carefully onto a 60-minute strip of tape. The glowing lines of the cassette in the sky captured the magic of curating your own personal playlist long before digital streaming made music effortless.

📱 Flip phone & Tetris—the portable revolution

A flip phone snapped open, its screen glowing like a message waiting to be read. Before smartphones became an extension of our hands, flip phones defined communication, turning every call into an event and every text into a treasure. As the sky flickered, the phone’s display came to life with a Tetris animation, a nod to one of the most addictive and universally loved games ever created. It was a perfect fusion of nostalgia and technology, a reminder of simpler times when the world fit into the palm of your hand.

🛼 Roller skates—the rhythm of the streets

A dazzling pair of roller skates rolled across the night sky, capturing the spirit of freedom and movement that defined entire generations. Whether gliding through a neon-lit roller disco or racing down sun-drenched sidewalks, skates were more than just a mode of transport—they were a way to express yourself, feel the music, and embrace the thrill of speed. In that moment, the sky itself became the rink, shimmering with the energy of endless summer nights.

💫 Dubai Shopping Festival & MOTB Logos—a grand finale

Bringing the show to a triumphant close, the Dubai Shopping Festival and MOTB logos illuminated the sky, celebrating a month of creativity, culture, and unforgettable experiences. More than just a signature moment, it was a tribute to everything MOTB stands for—bringing people together through a fusion of nostalgia, artistry, and innovation. The logos glowed as a final statement, reinforcing that memories, much like lights in the sky, continue to shine long after the moment has passed.

The impact: When technology amplifies brand identity

This collaboration elevated MOTB’s presence, drawing even greater attention to an already well-loved brand. The visual storytelling strengthened its identity, reinforcing its unique blend of creativity, community, and cultural relevance. As the show lit up the sky, it also lit up conversations, sparking engagement across social media and generating a powerful ripple effect far beyond the event itself.

The result? A moment that wasn’t just seen but felt—a memory shared by thousands, a buzz-worthy spectacle that further cemented MOTB’s status as an iconic experience. This is the power of drone shows: not just entertainment, but a transformative branding tool, turning events into lasting impressions and redefining the way brands connect with audiences.