The Best Airshows To See In 2023
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We, humans, are drawn to the sky. It’s the land of imagination, where we put our heads in the clouds. It’s also home to some of the best entertainment on, or rather, off the planet. No, not fireworks. Airshows.
2023 looks to be a promising year for these high-flying, adrenaline-inducing events. The United States has a long history of making the aerobatic flight experience a spectacle to behold. It gets you up close to a true
flying experience. So let’s take a look at some of the best airshows in the U.S. for the new year.
Upcoming Air Shows in the United States
One of the best aspects of an air show is it can be done nearly everywhere. From the nation’s capital to the pacific coast, there’s no shortage of this style of entertainment. Iconic performers like the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds highlight many of the venues around the country.
East Coast Airshows 2023
From Maine to Florida, there are a plethora of air shows featuring flight training, aerobatic flying, and air combat. Aviation enthusiasts will be excited to catch some of the following events:
- Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo - March 28 - April 2 - Lakeland, Fla.
- Cocoa Beach Air Show - April 15 and 16 - Cocoa Beach, Fla.
- NAS Key West Southernmost Air Spectacular - April 15 and 16 - NAS Key West, Fla.
- MCAS Beaufort Air Show 2023 - April 22 and 23 - Beaufort, S.C.
- Fort Lauderdale Air Show 2023 - April 29 and 30 - Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
- Westfield International Air Show - May 13 and 14 - Westfield, Mass.
- U.S. Naval Academy Blue Angels - May 24 - 26 - Annapolis, Md.
- Mid-Atlantic World War II Weekend - June 2 - 4 - Reading, Pa.
- Rochester International Air Show - August 12 and 13 - Rochester, N.Y.
- Thunder Over New Hampshire Air Show - September 9 and 10 - Portsmouth, N.H.
Mid-Western & Heartland Airshows 2023
Not to be outdone, the middle of the country boasts terrific options for 2023. If you’re part of aviation nation, you’ll want to try and make it to at least one of the upcoming events:
- Stars & Stripes Air Show Spectacular - February 26 - Laredo, Texas
- Bluebonnet Air Show - March 18 - Burnet, Texas
- Barksdale Defenders of Liberty Air Show - March 25 and 26 - Shreveport-Bossier City, La.
- Dyess Big Country Airfest 2023 - April 22 - Abilene, Texas
- Thunder Over Louisville - April 22 - Louisville, Ky.
- Thunder Over the Sound: Keesler & Biloxi Air & Space Show - April 29 and 30 - Biloxi, Miss.
- Red White and Blue Airshow - May 5 - 7 - Monroe, La.
- Columbus Ohio Air Show - June 17 and 18 - Columbus, Ohio
- Tinker AFB Star Spangled Salute - July 1 and 2 - Oklahoma City, Okla.
- Chicago Air & Water Show - August 19 and 20 - Chicago, Ill.
- Wings Over Houston - October 14 and 15 - Houston, Tx.
Pacific & Mountain West Airshows 2023
The sun sets in the west, but it doesn’t go down on quality air shows. G-forces and adrenaline can still be felt over the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Check out any of these choices if you’re out west:
- MCAS Yuma Air Show - March 11 - Yuma, Ariz.
- Los Angeles Air Show - March 18 and 19 - Palmdale, Calif.
- Thunder and Lightning over Arizona - March 25 and 26 - Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.
- Southern California Air Show 2023 - April 22 and 23 - March ARB, Calif.
- Air Commandos on the High Plains Air & Space Show - April 22 and 23 - Cannon AFB, N.M.
- Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show - April 30 - Moss Beach, Calif.
- Moses Lake Air Show - June 17 and 18 - Moses Lake, Wash.
- Seafair 2023 Boeing Air Show - August 4 - 6 - Seattle, Wash.
- Billings MT Air Show 2023 - August 12 and 13 - Billings, Mont.
- Grand Junction Air Show - October 14 and 15 - Grand Junction, Colo.
Nevada Airshows 2023
This year, the STIHL Nation Championship Air Races are the centerpiece of events in Nevada. Celebrating over 50 years of aerial action, the National Champion Air Races are sure to enthrall audiences with one of the unique experiences in the field.
The crown jewels for this event are the range of planes displayed. Some will be soaring overhead in competition, while others will be parked and ready to view up close. You don’t have to be an aviation fanatic to appreciate the gallery that will be presented, such as:
- Formula 1
- T6 Class
- Unlimited
- Jet Racing
- Biplane
- Sport
- STOL Drag
The event will be held September 13 - 17, north of Reno. Celebrate the world’s fastest motorsport at one the grandest events held.
Self-Made Experience
Making the commitment to attend these events can be challenging. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on an aviation experience. In Las Vegas, you can leave the business of the strip for an unparalleled adventure off the ground.
Sky Combat Ace offers various packages that will satisfy your desire to
fly an airplane. They offer a handful of options which include:
- Operation Recon
- The Afterburn
- Sky Combat
- Top Gun Experience
These packages range from taking a family-friendly ride above the region to living the “Top Gun Experience” as you play out all of your Maverick fantasies. Whatever your comfort and experience level, SCA pilots tailor the package to your needs.
The Afterburner
YOU GET TO FLY THE MANEUVERS
Why ride along when you can fly your own airshow routine…? Featuring both basic and advanced aerobatics, you take the controls and become your very own airshow pilot.
Sky Combat
LASER TAG IN THE SKY!
Experience the thrill of air-to-air combat as you wage a battle for aerial dominance where there can be only one victor. YOU fly the plane with a trained SCA fighter pilot.
Top Gun
FLY LIKE A TOP GUN PILOT!
If you want to experience the most amazing, butt kicking, extreme adventure of a lifetime, then look no further than our Top Gun package!
Operation Recon
WE FLY THE MANEUVERS
Appropriate for the whole family, this is a great way to be introduced to the world of basic aerobatics. Think of it as a roller coaster without the rails.
Fly A Real Stunt Plane!
Sky Combat Ace was created by a U.S. Air Force veteran fighter pilot who wanted to make the thrill of flying fighter jets available to anyone who feels the need for speed.
Learn to fly a stunt plane under the supervision of our highly trained, FAA certified flight instructors. No experience necessary and YOU get to fly the plane!
OPERATIONAL AUTHORITY
All SCA flights are instructional in nature conducted by certified flight instructors in accordance with federal aviation regulations under 14 CFR Part 61 of the United States Code. Instruction will be provided during ground and flight portions for all flights.