Thunderbirds to lead after-dark performances celebrating America’s 250th birthday
MATHER — Although it is still several months away, officials with the California Capital Airshow have unveiled major plans for the 2026 edition of the longtime regional aviation showcase, confirming that evening and nighttime performances will return as part of a milestone anniversary year tied to America’s 250th birthday.
The 2026 airshow is scheduled for Oct. 10–11 at Mather Airport and will mark the event’s 20th anniversary. Organizers announced this week that the popular night show format will once again be part of the program, citing strong public demand following previous editions.
“Based on overwhelming demand, we are bringing back the Night Show to celebrate America’s 250th Birthday in the biggest, brightest and loudest way possible,” California Capital Airshow officials said in the announcement. The return of nighttime flying will allow spectators to experience aerial performances across daylight, dusk and full darkness, culminating in a large-scale pyro-musical fireworks presentation.
Headlining the anniversary airshow will be the United States Air Force Thunderbirds, who are set to lead the lineup for the 20th annual show. Organizers also confirmed that the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds will appear, giving the 2026 event two internationally recognized national demonstration teams in the same weekend.
Organizers described the upcoming show as one of the most ambitious in the event’s history, combining elite military and civilian performers with the added visual impact of nighttime flying and pyrotechnics. Officials said the format is designed to deliver a uniquely immersive experience rarely seen at traditional daytime-only airshows.
“This year’s show really is the best of all worlds,” organizers said. “You get to see some of the best pilots in the world fly during the day, dusk and night, all topped off with a jaw-dropping pyro-musical fireworks display.”
The Thunderbirds, flying F-16C Fighting Falcons, are among the most recognized aerial demonstration teams in the world, known for high-speed, high-G maneuvers and close-formation precision flying. The team last headlined the California Capital Airshow in 2024, and organizers said their return for the 20th anniversary edition will be a central highlight of the 2026 celebration.
Past editions of the California Capital Airshow have featured expansive flight-line experiences, interactive exhibits, static aircraft displays and nighttime finales, and organizers said the anniversary show will continue that tradition while expanding the visual scope through its evening programming.
Tickets for the 2026 California Capital Airshow are not yet on sale. Organizers said additional performer announcements and ticket information will be released in the coming months and encouraged fans to sign up for the event’s Air Show Insider mailing list to receive early notifications and discount opportunities once sales open.
More information and updates on the 2026 California Capital Airshow are available atwww.californiacapitalairshow.com.
CCA Opens Applications for 2026 Aviation and STEM Scholarship Program
In addition to the news of the 2026 airshow and the return of nighttime performances, officials also announced that applications are now open for the California Capital Airshow’s Aviation and STEM Scholarship Program, continuing the organization’s long-standing commitment to inspiring and empowering the next generation of innovators, aviators and community leaders.
The annual scholarship program awards financial support to outstanding students pursuing education and career pathways in aviation, aeronautics, aerospace and related STEM fields. The 2026 program is designed to help students achieve their academic goals while strengthening the future workforce of these critical industries across the region.
Applications opened Jan. 13 and will remain available through May 1. Eligible applicants must reside in Sacramento, El Dorado, Placer, Sutter, Solano, Yolo or Yuba counties. Application materials and full eligibility requirements are available online at californiacapitalairshow.com/scholarships.
Since the program’s inception, the California Capital Airshow has awarded more than $600,000 in scholarships to over 280 students from across the Sacramento region. Organizers say each scholarship reflects a student whose passion, determination and academic focus are helping shape the future of aviation and STEM innovation.
“The California Capital Airshow is so much more than a weekend of thrilling performances,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the organization. “Our scholarship program is at the heart of what we do year-round, building pathways for students to explore careers that strengthen our region and our nation’s future.”
Scholarship recipients will be announced in early June and will be formally recognized as part of the 2026 California Capital Airshow, taking place Oct. 10–11 at Mather Airport.
Established in 2004, the California Capital Airshow is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the past, inspiring the future and showcasing the innovation and strength of aviation. In addition to hosting one of the nation’s largest airshows, the organization invests year-round in youth programs, scholarships and community partnerships designed to inspire the next generation of leaders.
Copyright © 2025, Folsom Times, a digital product of All Town Media LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
