Thunderbirds Schedule 2026: Full List of Air Show Dates and Locations

The Thunderbirds schedule 2026 sends the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron on a coast-to-coast tour of more than 50 flight demonstrations at roughly 29 locations across the United States, with the season honouring America’s 250th birthday.

• Season length: Public demonstrations run from late March through the end of October 2026, after an early-season flyover at the Daytona 500 in February.
• Where they fly: Shows are spread across the country, from Arizona, Florida and Texas in the spring to New York, Illinois and California in the summer and fall.
• Theme: The 2026 season ties into America’s 250th anniversary (the “America250” celebration).
• Cost: Air shows on military bases are usually free; civilian venues set their own ticket prices.
• Best source of truth: The official, continually updated list lives at airforce.com/thunderbirds/schedule. Dates and venues can change due to weather, maintenance or operational needs.
• Are Thunderbirds performing in Canada? The Thunderbirds are not touring Canada in 2026, but you can still see a world-class lineup at the Abbotsford International Airshow.

If you want to catch the United States Air Force Thunderbirds in 2026, planning ahead pays off. The team released its 2026 air show schedule at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) convention. Below is the full month-by-month Thunderbirds schedule for 2026, plus what to expect and how to plan your visit.

2026 USAF Thunderbirds Schedule (Month by Month)

The schedule below reflects the dates as released. Because military demonstration schedules are always subject to change, confirm each show on the official site or the host event’s website before you travel.

March

• March 21–22 — Luke Days, Luke AFB, Glendale, AZ
• March 28–29 — Air & Space Expo, Shaw AFB, Sumter, SC

April

• April 3–4 — Wings Over North Georgia, Rome, GA
• April 11–12 — Gulf Coast Salute, Panama City Beach, FL
• April 18–19 — SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, Lakeland, FL
• April 25–26 — Wings Over Solano, Travis AFB, CA

May

• May 2–3 — The Great Texas Air Show, JBSA-Randolph, San Antonio, TX
• May 9–10 — Fort Lauderdale Air Show, Fort Lauderdale, FL
• May 16–17 — Gunfighter Skies, Mountain Home AFB, ID
• May 23–24 — Hyundai Air & Sea Show, Miami Beach, FL
• May 28 — Air Force Academy graduation flyover, Colorado Springs, CO

June

• June 13–14 — OC Air Show, Ocean City, MD
• June 20–21 — Thunder of Niagara, Niagara Falls, NY
• June 27–28 — Warriors Over the Wasatch, Hill AFB, UT

July

• July 11–12 — Duluth Airshow, Duluth, MN
• July 18–19 — Sioux Falls Airshow, Sioux Falls, SD

August

• August 1–2 — New York Air Show, Montgomery, NY
• August 8–9 — Rochester International Air Show, Rochester, NY
• August 15–16 — Chicago Air & Water Show, Chicago, IL
• August 22–23 — Terre Haute Air Show, Terre Haute, IN
• August 29–30 — Grissom Air & Space Expo, Grissom ARB, IN

September

• September 26–27 — California International Airshow, Salinas, CA
• Additional September stops are expected; check the official schedule for the latest additions.

October (and finale)

• October 2–4 — Pacific Airshow, Huntington Beach, CA
• October 10–11 — California Capital Airshow, Sacramento, CA
• October 17–18 — NAS Jacksonville Air Show, Jacksonville, FL
• October 24–25 — Frontiers in Flight, McConnell AFB, KS
• October 31–November 1 — Wings Over Houston, Houston, TX (season finale)

A handful of weekends remain open, so the team may add shows as the year develops. Treat the fall dates as the most likely to shift.

What Makes the 2026 Season Special

2026 is a milestone year for the country, and the Thunderbirds’ season is built around the United States’ 250th birthday. Expect extra patriotic flyovers and high-profile appearances at marquee events, which is a strong incentive to book early for the biggest shows.

What to Expect at a Thunderbirds Show

The Thunderbirds fly the F-16C Fighting Falcon, a single-seat multirole fighter, in a demonstration that blends precision and power. A typical performance lasts about an hour and showcases two distinct styles of flying. The four-ship diamond formation demonstrates the discipline of close-formation flight, with aircraft sometimes only a few feet apart. The two solos then highlight the raw speed and agility of the F-16, with high-speed passes, rolls and opposing manoeuvres that can feel like they happen right over your head.

Beyond the flying, a Thunderbirds appearance usually anchors a larger air show featuring other military and civilian acts, static aircraft displays and family activities, so plan to make a full day of it.

How to Plan Your Visit

A few tips will make your day smoother:

• Confirm the date first. Schedules change, so verify on airforce.com/thunderbirds/schedule and the host venue’s website before booking travel.
• Know the venue type. Shows on military installations are typically free, while civilian air shows set their own admission prices. On-base events may require photo ID and have stricter security and parking rules.
• Arrive early. Parking and entry lines build quickly, especially for free base shows, and the Thunderbirds usually fly as the closing act.

Can’t Catch the Thunderbirds? See a World-Class Air Show in the Pacific Northwest

The 2026 Thunderbirds schedule stays within the United States, so if you are in British Columbia or the Pacific Northwest, the team will not be coming to you this year. The good news is that one of North America’s premier aviation events is right across the border. The Abbotsford International Airshow returns August 7, 8 and 9, 2026, with a stacked lineup of military demonstration teams, jet acts and civilian performers.

See the full 2026 performer lineup and start planning your visit here: Abbotsford International Airshow Performers.

Schedule details are based on the 2026 Thunderbirds schedule as released and are subject to change. Always confirm dates and locations with the official U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds website and the individual host events before making plans.