HUNTINGTON BEACH — Southern California skies will get considerably louder Oct. 2 through 4, 2026, as the Pacific Airshow returns to Huntington Beach for three days of military demonstrations, aerobatics, historic aircraft, and entertainment along the coast.
Launched in 2016, the annual event has grown into what organizers describe as the largest airshow in the United States by attendance, drawing spectators to Huntington Beach each fall to watch performances over the Pacific Ocean.
This year’s lineup brings together U.S. and international military demonstration teams, modern fighter aircraft, historic warbirds, civilian aerobatic pilots, parachutists, and other specialty performers. For Southern California boaters, the coastal setting also makes Pacific Airshow one of the region’s unusual major events that can draw spectators both to the sand and offshore.
Leading the 2026 lineup are the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Canadian Forces Snowbirds, two precision demonstration teams that will bring very different styles of formation flying to Huntington Beach.
Modern military aviation will have a substantial presence throughout the weekend. Scheduled performers include the U.S. Air Force F-35A Demo, U.S. Navy F-35C Demo, U.S. Navy EA-18G Growler Airshow Team, and U.S. Navy F/A-18 West Coast Rhino Demo Team.
A U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight featuring a P-38 will connect modern military aviation with an earlier generation of aircraft, while the NORAD Interdiction Demo will add another military demonstration to the schedule.
Larger aircraft will also make appearances, including a U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey, U.S. Air Force KC-135, U.S. Air Force C-17, and Royal Air Force C-17. A NASA flyover is also scheduled.
The Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Team will take the action out of the cockpit, joining the weekend’s lineup of airborne demonstrations.
The civilian side of the program includes aerobatic and specialty pilots flying everything from high-performance propeller aircraft to jets and a sailplane. Scheduled performers include Greg Colyer in the Ace Maker T-33, Jeff Boerboon in an Extra 330SC, Emma McDonald in an Extra 300L, and Mike Goulian in an Extra 330SC.
Bob Carlton will perform in the FoxJet sailplane, Torrey Ward will fly a SubSonex Microjet, and Jason Somes will bring a MiG-17 to the show. Luke Czepiela is scheduled to demonstrate STOL flying in a Carbon Cub.
Aaron Fitzgerald will perform in a Red Bull BO-105 helicopter, while the Red Bull Skydivers are also scheduled to appear. Historic aviation will be represented by a B-25 from Lyon Air Museum and a TBM Avenger flown by Colyer. The Goodyear Blimp rounds out the currently announced lineup.
Performers are subject to change, and participation by military aircraft can depend on operational requirements. Detailed schedules also may vary by day.
While the airplanes command most of the attention overhead, Pacific Airshow has expanded into a broader beach event since its debut. On the ground, spectators can find entertainment, performer signing sessions, Aviation Alley, the NXTGN STEM Lab, a Kids Zone, food and beverage areas, plus several levels of upgraded viewing.
General Admission tickets currently start at $20 and provide access to the ticketed beach area, live commentary, Aviation Alley, STEM activities, the Kids Zone, and performer signing sessions. Spectators can bring a chair, towel, and small umbrella.
The Show Center Zone also starts at $20 and places spectators near the center of the performance area and parachute Drop Zone.
For those looking to leave the beach chair at home, Pier Seating starts at $85, while Premium General Admission starts at $90 and includes provided seating in a prime Show Center location.
Higher-end hospitality options include the Garden Bar, starting at $170, and Beach Club, starting at $340. Both offer additional amenities, with the Beach Club including pavilion and beach patio seating, food and a beverage package.
The Oasis is designed for groups, with reserved tables for 10 starting at $3,400. Private cabanas for up to 20 guests and private chalets for groups of 50 to 150 are available with custom pricing.
An RV Camping Experience also is offered for the weekend, starting at $3,800 and including four nights of oceanfront camping and 10 General Admission tickets per day from Friday through Sunday.
Prices are starting rates and are subject to change.
For boaters, Pacific Airshow offers another possibility: watching the action from the Pacific.
The offshore waters near Huntington Beach historically attract spectator boats during the show, offering a different perspective on aircraft performing along the coastline. But watching from the water requires considerably more planning than finding a spot on the sand.
Operators should review current Coast Guard and event-related restrictions before heading out, pay attention to temporary safety or exclusion zones, and expect heavier-than-normal recreational vessel traffic. Boats should never enter restricted waters in an attempt to get closer to the performance area.
Skippers also need to account for anchoring conditions, swell, wind, visibility, and the additional wake generated by a concentration of vessels. A good view of an airplane is not worth losing track of surrounding boat traffic.
With the Thunderbirds and Snowbirds leading a lineup that stretches from World War II-era aircraft to the F-35, the 2026 Pacific Airshow will once again turn Huntington Beach into a meeting point between aviation and the Southern California coast.
And whether spectators are watching from a seat on the pier, a towel in the sand or the deck of a boat offshore, they’ll likely hear the show before having any trouble finding it.
The Pacific Airshow takes place Oct. 2 through 4 in Huntington Beach. Current performer information, tickets and event updates are available through the official Pacific Airshow website.
