Top 5 Aviation Festivals In The US You Shouldn’t Miss

Each year, aviation enthusiasts come together at gatherings around the world to celebrate the industry’s latest innovations and witness some of the most famous aircraft performing in sky-high spectacles. The US is home to many air shows where military planes and teams, such as the US Navy Blue Angels, stun onlookers. While some may enjoy seeing aircraft from afar, others seek the thrill of an F/A-18 Super Hornet roaring overhead. Thanks to the capabilities of talented US military aircrews, spectators are able to be entertained yearly.

Some military aviation festivals are on a smaller scale, while others incorporate both military and commercial aircraft. However, from MCAS Miramar Air Show to CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow, there are plenty of opportunities for people to celebrate their enthusiasm for aviation. These festivals, however, are not just for those who love to see aircraft take flight. Whether young or old, all can enjoy the display of aerial acrobatics.

According to Sky Combat Ace, the lineup of airshows in 2024 is set to be the best year yet. The company was founded by US Air Force Veteran Richard ‘Tex’ Coe and allows airshow spectators to ride along during aerial combat or even let them try their hand at flying an aircraft. The company says no flight experience is necessary since the flight controls are interconnected. Regardless of its unique service to aviation enthusiasts, the company says each air show across the US is “unique and offers its own flare and choreography.” Here are just five of some of the most notable festivals.

1

MCAS Miramar Air Show

September 28-29, 2024

Dating back to the 1950s, MCAS Miramar Air Show is a long-running tradition. Each year, in either September or October, the show hosts thousands of attendees as they come to watch a handful of military showstoppers such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon, AV-8B Harrier, and the US Army Golden Knights Parachute Team.

Photo: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar

The event occurs at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar which is about 10 miles north of Downtown San Diego. According to AOPA, the complete 2024 performance lineup includes:

• Red Bull Air Force
• F-22 Raptor Demonstration
• P-51D Mustang Heritage Flight
• US Marine Corps F-35B Demonstration
• Marine Air-Gound Task Force Demonstration
• MV-22 Osprey Demonstration
• US Navy Blue Angels and Fat Albert

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Admission and parking to the airshow are free. Preferred seating options will be available for purchase on a reservation basis.

2

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024

July 22-28, 2024

Set to occur next month, EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2024 will fill the skies above Wittman Regional Airport. The show will feature several aircraft for a series of aerobatic presentations, which will take place daily and on select nights throughout the week. The event is hosted by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), which is a community of more than 240,000 members around the world.

Photo: Thierry Webber | Shutterstock

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is referred to as the largest annual gathering of aircraft and aviation enthusiasts. Some of the performers set for this year include:

• National Anthem/Chuters Skydivers
• Warbirds of America
• US Air Force (USAF) Viper Demo
• USAF A-10 Demo/Heritage Flight
• WWII Airborne Demo Team
• Red Bull Air Force (Aaron Fitzgerald, Kirby Chambliss, Kevin Coleman)

Unique to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh are the nighttime airshows. They will take place on July 24th and 27th at 20:00 and feature a variety of airshow performers and weather-permitting fireworks.

3

CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow

October 26-27, 2024

The CAF Wings Over Houston Airshow is a community event presented by the volunteer efforts of the Houston Wing, Gulf Coast Wing, and Tora! Tora! Tora! Of the Commemorative Air Force. The event is also supported by the Lone Star Flight Museum, Collings Foundation-Houston based at Ellington Airport, and the Vietnam War Flight Museum. Not many details have not yet been released for this year’s show, but it is expected that the following will make appearances:

• The world-famous US Navy Blue Angels
• USAF KC-135 Stratotanker
• RE/MAX Skydiving Team

Photo: Wings Over Houston Airshow

The KC-135 will perform a “one-of-a-kind” demonstration for the first time at Ellington Airport. The large military aircraft is known for its unique capability to act as a gas station in the sky, allowing aircraft to refuel midflight without returning to an airbase. This year, the Wings Over Houston Airshow will celebrate its 40th anniversary, with the RE/MAX Skydiving Team set to deliver a show-stopping performance at the opening ceremony on October 26th.

4

Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach

October 4-6, 2024

The Pacific Airshow, which takes place during the first weekend in October in the sunny city of Huntington Beach, California, features aerobatic demonstrations and live music festivals. On June 20th, the airshow announced an expanded performer lineup, stacking the three-day event with the best in aviation. Some of the can’t miss performances include:

• USAF Thunderbirds
• USAF F-22 Raptor Demo Team
• USAF A-10 Demo Team’s Final Performance Ever
• Zapata Flyboard and Air Scooter Demo

Photo: Pacific Airshow

This year is the airshow’s eighth year, with the hopes of making the show “bigger and better” every year.

“Our team will be delivering on our commitment to produce a bigger and better experience each year, bringing our audience closer than ever to the best of aviation,” said Kevin Elliott, Pacific Airshow’s Executive Director. “When we say our vision is to redefine the Airshow experience, we mean it, and we are delivering an experience unlike any other event anywhere in the world.”

5

Stuart Air Show

November 8-10, 2024

For more than 35 years, the Stuart Air Show has been dedicated to honoring the history of American aviation and veterans. Each year, the show welcomes tens of thousands of attendees and partners with schools to offer children STEM and other educational opportunities. The event appropriately takes place during Veterans Day weekend in Stuart, Florida, including the following aerobatic performers:

• USAF F-22 “Raptor” Demonstration Team
• USN Rhino Demo Team (VFA-106) F/A F-18
• USAF C-17 Demo (Altus AFB)
• Rob Holland Ultimate Airshows
• USN Legacy Flight Corsair (Jim Tobul)
• USAF Heritage Flight Foundation P-51

Photo: Stuart Air Show

As a non-profit organization, The Stuart Air Show also partners with other non-profits, such as EAA Chapter 692, Southeast Florida Honor Flight, the US Naval Sea Cadet Corps, and others.

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