The Abbotsford Airshow 2025, one of the Fraser Valley’s most highly anticipated annual events happening on August 8, 9 & 10, invites you to experience a breathtaking and unforgettable evening during their Twilight Show. As the sun sets on Friday, prepare to be mesmerized by a unique combination of hot air balloons, drone light shows, the awe-inspiring GhostWriter, and the CF-18 Hornet Demo Team, a highlight on the Canadian Airshow schedule.

Hot Air Balloon Glow

One of the most popular family-friendly airshow activities is the Hot Air Balloon Glow. As evening sets in, the balloons are inflated and lit while remaining anchored to the ground, creating a warm, colourful scene.

Visitors can walk around them, read info cards about each balloon’s age, weight, and origin, and take in a quiet moment before the night performances begin.

An Unforgettable Drone Display

The excitement doesn’t end there. The Twilight Show on Friday also features a cutting-edge drone light show, taking the art of aerial displays to new heights. These shows involve synchronized groups of illuminated drones, choreographed to arrange themselves into stunning aerial formations. These modern marvels rely on computer programs to convert graphic designs into flight commands, which are then communicated to the drones.

As part of the Abbotsford Airshow 2025 Twilight Show, the drone light show promises to be an unforgettable spectacle. Design teams create detailed storyboards to guide the drones’ movements, while soundtracks are composed to enhance the overall experience. Finally, ground control stations operated by skilled pilots ensure the drones execute their commands flawlessly, bringing the storyboard to life in the night sky, a true standout among 2025 aviation events.

GhostWriter Takes To The Skies

The crown jewel of the Twilight Show is the GhostWriter, a stunning display of light, pyrotechnics, and aerobatics. This custom aircraft, adorned with 4,000 LED lights and over 250 pounds of pyrotechnics, transforms into a captivating celebration of light and motion under the night sky. The GhostWriter’s performance is tailored to the event’s theme, providing a dynamic visual experience showcasing the true versatility of the aircraft and its talented pilot, a favourite at aviation enthusiasts’ gatherings.

The GhostWriter’s impressive history dates back to its initial design in 1956 as a trainer aircraft for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Since then, it has undergone significant modifications to become an airshow aerobatics and skywriting marvel. With a dedicated team investing nearly 3,000 man-hours over two years, the GhostWriter now boasts a cruising speed of 150 mph and a range of over 500 miles. Its climbing prowess reaches 2,500 feet per minute, with an impressive ceiling of 17,500 feet.

Defy Gravity with The CF-18 Hornet

Watch the skilled demonstration team show off their skills in CF-18 Hornets — gravity-defying manoeuvres like the high alpha pass, inverted flight, and high-G turns. As part of the aerial performances 2025 lineup, these displays will captivate spectators with the aircraft’s speed, power, and the roar of engines echoing through the Twilight Show.

The CF-18, a versatile twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft, has been used in numerous military operations worldwide, including the Gulf War, the Kosovo War, and Operation Impact against ISIL. Measuring 17.07 meters in length with a wingspan of 12.31 meters, it boasts a maximum speed of Mach 1.8. The CF-18 will also be featured in static aircraft displays at Abbotsford, alongside other historic and modern aircraft.

Don’t Delay in Getting Your Tickets

The Twilight Show at the Abbotsford International Airshow is one of the most anticipated British Columbia airshows of the year. From the glow of hot air balloons to the coordinated drone light shows and the dramatic GhostWriter performance, it’s a highlight of the Abbotsford Airshow 2025. So, gather your friends and family, and join the celebration at the Abbotsford Airport this year. Get your tickets now!