Air shows combine aerobatics, aviation history and plenty of reasons to look up. Photo: DepositPhotos

When it comes to sporting events to catch, some enthusiasts compete or spectate — golfers swing over to golf tournaments, cyclists roll for the Tour de France or local bike races, horse lovers trot over to the local horse show or visit Kentucky. And aviation enthusiasts? They fly off to air shows.

Air shows attract millions of spectators each year, with events ranging from small community gatherings to enormous military spectacles. In fact, there are over 325 air shows annually in the U.S. and Canada, drawing between 10 and 12 million spectators.

Haven’t been to an air show since you were a kid? Maybe it’s time to go again.

Vintage aircraft, up-close displays and live entertainment were all part of the 2026 New Garden Festival of Flight in Pennsylvania. Photos: C. Worthington

A Day at the New Garden Festival of Flight

A recent visit to the 2026 New Garden Festival of Flight in Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania, August 8 and 9, 2026, offered a reminder of just how much there is to see at an air show. Aerobatic performances, warbirds, parachute demonstrations, vintage aircraft, classic cars and entertainment filled the grounds, while spectators brought chairs and settled in along the flight line for the action overhead.

One of the highlights was pilot Nathan Hammond and GhostWriter, his highly modified 1956 de Havilland Chipmunk. Originally designed as a trainer for the Royal Canadian Air Force, the aircraft was transformed into a Super Chipmunk for aerobatics and skywriting. It cruises at about 150 mph and can climb at 2,500 feet per minute.

At New Garden, skywriting added a playful touch to the performance, leaving hearts floating overhead.

But some of the most interesting discoveries were on the ground.

Bamboo Betty,” a 1941 Cessna T-50/Crane that served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II, was among the vintage aircraft on display at New Garden. Photos: C. Worthington

Visitors could walk among aircraft representing very different eras of aviation. Among them was “Bamboo Betty,” a 1941 Cessna T-50/Crane, an aircraft that served with the Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II.

Small aircraft were part of the colorful lineup at the 2026 New Garden Festival of Flight. Photos: C. Worthington

Also on display was a 1939 Boeing-Stearman A75 Kaydet, its exposed radial engine, wooden propeller and open cockpit offering a close-up look at the type of aircraft associated with training military pilots during the World War II era.

Nearby, a blue-and-yellow 1941 Fairchild PT-19A Cornell represented another generation of military training aircraft. Its low-wing design provided a striking contrast to the Stearman biplane.
Not everything had a military pedigree. A bright yellow-and-red 1959 Champion 7FC represented the small civilian aircraft that have helped generations of recreational pilots take to the skies.

That’s part of the appeal of attending an air show. You don’t have to know a Stearman from a Super Chipmunk when you arrive. You can wander among the aircraft, peer into cockpits, look at engines, talk with people who know the planes and then watch some of them take to the air.

Skywriter leaves a heart in the sky during an aerobatic performance at the New Garden Festival of Flight. Photo: C. Worthington

And an air show isn’t necessarily only about airplanes. At New Garden, live music and displays of classic cars added to the festival atmosphere. Families, couples, veterans, aviation enthusiasts and grandparents with grandchildren all found something to see.

Ready to See One for Yourself?

New Garden is just one example. Air shows and aviation events take place across the country, from relaxed regional gatherings to huge military demonstrations and high-speed air races.

If New Garden sparks your curiosity, several major events are still ahead in 2026.

For the Thrill of Racing: National Championship Air Races — Roswell, New Mexico
September 16–20, 2026

The legendary National Championship Air Races have moved from Reno to a new home in Roswell. Rather than simply watching aerobatic demonstrations, spectators see aircraft racing around a closed course, sometimes at speeds exceeding 500 mph.

The 2026 event brings all seven racing classes together in Roswell and also includes air-show performances, military flybys and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Think of it as motorsports transferred from the racetrack to the sky.

For a Big Military Spectacle: MCAS Miramar Air Show — San Diego, California
September 25–27, 2026

For sheer scale, the MCAS Miramar Air Show is in another league. Held at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, the three-day event combines military flight demonstrations with aircraft displayed on the ground.

It’s also an opportunity to see today’s military aviation up close at an active Marine Corps installation. Admission and parking are free, making it tempting to incorporate the show into a Southern California getaway.

Be prepared for a lot of walking — and bring a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

For Warbirds and Aviation History: Wings Over Houston — Houston, Texas
October 31–November 1, 2026

The 42nd annual Wings Over Houston Airshow at Ellington Airport combines contemporary military aviation with an impressive collection of historic aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds headline the 2026 show. The announced lineup also includes aircraft ranging from the F-4D Phantom II, F-100 Super Sabre and A-1D Skyraider to the modern C-17 Globemaster III and KC-46A Pegasus.

That mixture makes Houston particularly appealing for veterans and military-history enthusiasts — and for grandparents who might enjoy sharing some aviation history with younger family members.

For a Blue Angels Weekend: Pensacola, Florida
November 6–7, 2026

There may be no better place to see the U.S. Navy Blue Angels than their hometown.

The Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show at Naval Air Station Pensacola traditionally closes out the team’s season, making the event as much a homecoming celebration as an air show.
Turn it into an aviation weekend with a visit to the National Naval Aviation Museum, also located at NAS Pensacola. Its extensive collection makes the destination especially worthwhile for veterans, history buffs and anyone whose curiosity has been stirred by what they’ve just watched overhead.

Before You Go

A smaller regional event can be a great introduction before tackling one of the enormous military shows. Whatever size event you choose, check the show’s website before leaving home for parking information, prohibited items and rules about bringing chairs, coolers and bags.

Plan for time outdoors. Comfortable shoes, sunscreen, a hat, water and a folding chair — when permitted — can make a long day much more enjoyable. Hearing protection is also worth considering, particularly for children and when military jets are performing.

And don’t spend the entire day staring at the sky. Explore the static aircraft displays. Read the signs. Ask questions. Look at the engines and cockpits. You may discover that the airplane sitting quietly on the tarmac has been around for more than 80 years.

Whether it’s a small community airfield or a three-day military spectacle, an air show offers something increasingly rare: an excuse to spend an afternoon outside, look up and discover something you didn’t know before.

Maybe that’s reason enough to make an air show your next active travel adventure.