Pensacola Beach Air Show 2026 Lineup Announced
Blue Angels Practice Guide
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The 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show lineup is out, and this year’s show is bringing a heavy mix of military power, aerobatic performers, historic aircraft, and the hometown Blue Angels over Pensacola Beach.
The air show is scheduled for July 15 through July 18, 2026, with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels headlining the week. The 2026 event also carries extra significance as it lines up with both the 80th anniversary of the Blue Angels and America’s 250th anniversary.
If you’re planning to attend the Pensacola Beach Air Show in 2026, here’s a look at the performers announced so far.
Pensacola Beach Air Show 2026 schedule
The air show week begins Wednesday, July 15 with “Breakfast with the Blues,” when the Blue Angels mark their show lines over Pensacola Beach around 7:30 a.m.
Thursday, July 16 features the Blue Angels practice flight at 2 p.m. Friday, July 17 is the full dress rehearsal, with demonstrations beginning around 10:30 a.m. and the Blue Angels flying at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 18 is the official Pensacola Beach Air Show and follows the Friday schedule.
Military demonstration teams and aircraft
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will headline the show over Pensacola Beach, bringing their signature formation flying and high-speed maneuvers back over the Gulf.
The 2026 lineup also includes several major military aircraft demonstrations and flyovers, including the F-35A Lightning II from the Alabama Air National Guard’s 187th Fighter Wing, known as the “Red Tails,” and the F-15C Eagle flown by the 159th Fighter Wing out of Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans.
The B-1B Lancer is also scheduled to appear, bringing one of the loudest and most powerful military aircraft demonstrations to Pensacola Beach. The long-range bomber is expected to be one of the major highlights for aviation fans watching from the sand.
Aerobatic performers
This year’s civilian and aerobatic lineup is loaded with high-energy performers.
Aaron Fitzgerald with the Red Bull Air Force will perform a helicopter aerobatics demonstration, while Kevin Coleman will fly the Extra 330SC, one of the top unlimited aerobatic aircraft in the world.
Skip Stewart will bring his Prometheus aerobatic biplane to the show, known for aggressive low-level maneuvers, snap rolls, and one of the most recognizable performances on the airshow circuit.
RJ Gritter is also part of the lineup, flying a Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon with loops, rolls, hammerheads, and smoke-filled routines over Pensacola Beach.
Jet and formation acts
The Pink Jet will perform in an Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros, combining a jet demonstration with a breast cancer awareness mission. The group travels to airshows across the country using aviation to support education, prevention, and survivor outreach.
Redline Airshows will bring formation aerobatics with Ken and Austin Rieder flying Van’s RV-8 aircraft. Their father-and-son routine is built around tight formation flying, opposing passes, smoke, and precision maneuvers.
The Titan Aerobatic Team is also scheduled, flying a four-ship formation in North American AT-6 Texans. Their performance includes synchronized loops, bomb bursts, and vintage military trainer aircraft flying in tight formation.
Additional performers
The official lineup also includes Carol Pilon and Third Strike Wingwalking, Frank Kimmel in an F4U-5N Corsair, the Red Bull Air Force Jump Team, and Veterans Flight, which honors World War II and Korean War veterans with vintage Stearman aircraft.
Luke Carrico will return as the voice of the air show, providing commentary throughout the event and helping guide spectators through the aircraft and performers overhead.
Why this lineup stands out
The 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show is not just a Blue Angels weekend. It brings together modern military aircraft, historic warbirds, formation teams, high-performance aerobatics, jet demonstrations, and specialty acts over one of the most recognizable beach backdrops in the country.
The combination of the Blue Angels, F-35A Lightning II, F-15C Eagle, B-1B Lancer, Red Bull Air Force performers, the Pink Jet, Redline Airshows, and Titan Aerobatic Team gives this year’s lineup a strong mix of speed, power, history, and technical flying.
Best place to watch
Casino Beach is the show center for the Pensacola Beach Air Show, and the main maneuvers are performed from that area. Visit Pensacola notes that Fort Pickens and NAS Pensacola are not recommended viewing locations for the beach air show.
Because traffic and parking are major factors during air show week, visitors should plan to arrive early, bring shade, pack water, and be prepared for heavy crowds around Casino Beach.
More Blue Angels information
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