What To Know About The 2026 Duluth Airshow, Minnesota’s Largest Air Show
Minnesota's largest air show takes to the sky at the end of this week, with a bunch of exciting aerial exhibitions and ground displays that will make for a fun weekend outing for the entire family.
The 2026 Duluth Airshow is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, and Sunday, July 12, with the headlining act being the US Air Force Thunderbirds, capping off both days of festivities at the Duluth International Airport.
Event organizers announced shortly after last year's show that the Thunderbirds would be the headlining act, with lots of other aerial performances and ground displays added between then and now, including a very recent addition.
If you're planning to go to this year's Duluth Airshow, here is what you'll see on the ground and in the sky, as well as other important information like where to park, what you can and can't bring, and more.
2026 Duluth Airshow Performers & Ground Displays
On The Ground
Visiting the Duluth Airshow includes a huge number of vendors, booths, and displays to check out. Going along with the various vendors and booths are more than 20 aircraft you'll be able to get up close to and take photos with, parked on the ground for you to see. They include:
F-16 from the 148th Fighter Wing
T-38 from the 47th Flying Training Wing
C-130H from the 934th Airlift Wing
C-5 Galaxy from the 436th Airlift Wing
QF-16 from the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group
T-6 from the 47th Flying Training Wing
P-51 Mustang
FG-1D Corsair
TBM Avenger (recently added)
FM-2 Wildcat
HU-16 Albatross
Pilatus P-3
Chinese CJ-6
SNJ-4
BT-13
PT-22
T-34
C-45
Stearman (N2S)
L-17
L-5
Cirrus SF-50
In The Air
The biggest draw for the Duluth Airshow is the huge assortment of aerial demonstrations. This year's headliners are the US Air Force Thunderbirds, but there is a huge roster of aerial acrobatics and demonstrations throughout both days of the show.
Here's what to look forward to this year:
F-16 demonstration from the 148th Fighter Wing
C-17 demonstration
P-38 “23 Skidoo” Flight, Presented by Bong Veterans Center
KC-135 aerial refueling tanker demonstration
KC-46 demonstration
U.S. Air Force Wings of Blue parachute team demonstration
MiG-17
T-33 Ace Maker
Aerobatic pilot Melissa Burns
Aerobatic pilot Britt Lincoln, presented by Super One Foods
Wingwalking demonstration from Carol Pilon, presented by Renewal by Andersen
Aerobatic pilot Craig Gifford
Bob Richards and his biplane 'Machaira'
B-25 "Rosie’s Reply" flight demonstration
B-25 "Miss Mitchell" flight demonstration
Schedule of Events
The schedule for the day starts with gates opening to the public at 9 am on both Saturday and Sunday. Gates close both days at 6 pm.
Flying on Saturday is scheduled to start at 10:30 am and wrap up by 4:30 pm.
On Sunday, flying is scheduled to start at 9:30 am and wrap up by 4:00 pm. These times are contingent on weather and other factors.
The Duluth Airshow notes that the specific performer schedule is announced day-of, on-site, as times are subject to change due to a number of factors that include weather, maintenance, and other factors.
Parking
There are several on-site and satellite lots that meet different kinds of guest needs. Buying your parking pass in advance via the Duluth Airshow's website can save you some money in many cases, and certain lots are only available by advance purchase.
On-site parking options include:
Orange Lot (upgraded parking) is only available via advanced purchase from the Duluth Airshow. This premium lot is right across Airport Road from one of the Airshow entrances.
Brown Lot (Motorcycle parking), which is located next to Cirrus's facilities on Airport Road, near one of the entrances.
Green Lot (general admission, on-site lot) is the primary location for on-site parking and is a grassy field lot about a 4-block walk from the entrance.
Disabled Parking includes two different options. One of them is the aforementioned Orange Lot across from one of the entrances, and the other is the Blue Lot on Cirus Drive, right after turning off Miller Trunk Highway. This lot includes ADA shuttle rides to and from the entrance and can only be purchased on arrival with a valid disabled permit.
Off-site parking options include:
Teal Lot, which is the primary satellite lot with the quickest ride to the show. It includes a shuttle ride to and from the entrance. The lot itself is located at Arrowpointe Medical Center on Rice Lake Road and is limited to 1,200 vehicles per day.
While parking can be purchased day-of, buying your parking pass for this lot is highly recommended as it does sell out. The added bonus is that it also saves you a little money to buy in advance. This can be done via the Duluth Airshow website.
RV/Camping/Overnight Parking (Gray Lot) is only available via advanced purchase via the Duluth Airshow website. The lot is located at the AAD Shrine on Miller Trunk Highway, and usage of this lot includes specific arrival and departure rules, size limitations, and other things based on your usage case, all of which are laid out in the same place you buy your parking pass from.
You can see maps and costs for all parking on the Duluth Airshow website.
Important Info, Things You Can/Can't Bring & Tips To Know
For general admission attendees, bringing a chair and some sunscreen is a very good idea.
The show is in an open space along the airfield, so there isn't any shade available. Bringing a folding or bag chair is a great way to give yourself a comfortable place to enjoy the show.
You cannot bring in coolers or outside food/beverages. There are several vendors on-site that offer both, but each visitor is allowed to bring in one personal-sized reusable water bottle or container, under 20 ounces. There are water-filling stations located around the Airshow grounds.
You'll absolutely want to bring sunglasses, and bringing earplugs or earmuffs is a very good idea. While some demonstrations are not very loud, some can be quite loud, and having ear protection will make enjoying the show easier (and better for your hearing health).
Bring your camera! Whether it's your cell phone or a larger camera, everyone is welcome to bring their camera to capture the show and share the memories! Just know that cameras in a bag may be subject to search before entering the grounds.
Finally, consider bringing cash. Some vendors do accept credit cards, and you can pay with a credit card to get into the show, but cash is king. There will be some ATMs on site, but having cash with you will make it easier to pay for everything.
While you're waiting for this year's show, here are some photos from last year's Duluth Airshow, which was headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels and included the Canadian Forces Snowbirds:
2025 Duluth Airshow In Photos
Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth