Thunderbirds, Snowbirds headline 20th anniversary spectacle with afterburners, pyrotechnics, drones and fireworks Oct. 10-11
RANCHO CORDOVA — By day, the skies will thunder with fighter jets and precision aerobatics. After sunset, afterburners, aerial pyrotechnics, walls of fire, hundreds of drones and a massive fireworks finale will take over.
The California Capital Airshow is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary in spectacular fashion Oct. 10-11 at Mather Airport, bringing together two of the world’s best-known military jet teams and extending the action into the night for a weekend organizers are billing as a milestone celebration.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and Canadian Forces Snowbirds will headline the two-day show, which runs from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. This year’s event carries added significance as the airshow celebrates two decades in the Sacramento region during the nation’s 250th anniversary year.
And this won’t be an airshow that ends when the sun starts going down.
Nonstop aerial performances are scheduled from 3:30 to 8 p.m. each day, with the traditional daytime roar eventually giving way to a nighttime aviation spectacle. As darkness falls over Mather, spectators can expect glowing afterburners, aircraft equipped with pyrotechnics, walls of fire and a finale combining fireworks, music and hundreds of drones.
“This year’s show is a milestone celebration that offers a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Darcy Brewer, CEO of California Capital Airshow. “We’re bringing the Thunderbirds and Snowbirds to Sacramento to celebrate our 20th anniversary and the nation’s 250th, with a night show and fireworks finale to match.”
The Thunderbirds will bring the speed, sound and precision of the Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcons to the Sacramento skies, performing the close-formation maneuvers and high-speed passes that have made the team one of the most recognized military demonstration squadrons in the world.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will offer a dramatically different display of precision flying, filling the sky with their signature nine-aircraft formations. Having both teams on the same program will give spectators an opportunity to see two distinct styles of military formation flying during a single weekend.
But the headliners are only part of a lineup loaded with military aviation.
Scheduled appearances include the U-2 Dragon Lady and T-38 Talons from nearby Beale Air Force Base, the U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III Demonstration Team and the U.S. Navy F/A-18 Super Hornet Demonstration Team.
That means spectators can expect everything from the massive C-17 transport aircraft maneuvering overhead to the speed and power of the Navy’s Super Hornet, along with a rare Sacramento-region appearance by the legendary U-2 reconnaissance aircraft associated with Beale Air Force Base.
Then comes the transformation after sunset. As daylight disappears, organizers plan to keep the action overhead with maximum afterburner passes before illuminated aircraft and aerial pyrotechnics take center stage. The evening will build toward a large-scale pyro-musical finale featuring fireworks, walls of fire and hundreds of drones filling the night sky.
There will be plenty happening at ground level as well.
Miles of aircraft displays and hands-on exhibits will stretch across Mather Airport, giving families and aviation enthusiasts opportunities to see military, historic and other aircraft up close before the afternoon flying program begins. The combination allows visitors to spend much of the day exploring the airport before turning their attention skyward for several hours of continuous performances.
The California Capital Airshow has become one of the Sacramento region’s signature aviation events since its establishment in 2004. The nonprofit organization produces the annual show to celebrate the region’s aviation heritage, honor veterans and use the excitement of flight to introduce young people to aviation and careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and aerospace.
Beyond the annual show, the organization gives back to the region through scholarships, charitable donations and educational youth programs throughout the year.
The 2026 event is presented in partnership with Sacramento County and the City of Rancho Cordova. Approximately 1,000 volunteers help make the weekend possible, along with law enforcement, emergency services personnel and numerous community partners.
Tickets are available online only and will not be sold at the gate. Each adult general admission ticket includes free admission for up to six youths age 15 and younger, as well as free parking. A variety of upgraded seating options and premium experiences are also available.
Organizers expect the anniversary show to sell out and are encouraging spectators to purchase tickets in advance.
The California Capital Airshow takes place Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 10-11, from noon to 8 p.m. at Mather Airport. Tickets, performer information and additional event details are available at CaliforniaCapitalAirshow.com.
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