Bands On The Beach Calendar of Events Cinemas In The Sand Pensacola Beach Air Show

Red, White and Blues Week featuring the Pensacola Beach Air Show – July 5-8, 2023

July 15th – 18th 2026

Featuring the US Navy Blue Angels

Pensacola’s hometown heroes will take center stage during a historic summer celebration as the 2026 Pensacola Beach Air Show returns July 15 to 18, hosted by the Santa Rosa Island Authority. This year’s event carries extraordinary significance as it honors the 80th Anniversary of the U.S. Navy Blue Angels while also celebrating America’s 250th Anniversary. Set against the sweeping shoreline of the Gulf, the show becomes more than an air demonstration. It stands as a tribute to eight decades of naval aviation excellence and two and a half centuries of American freedom, service, innovation, and sacrifice.

Air Show Week Schedule:

Wednesday, July 15 – “Breakfast with the Blues”
Around 7:30 a.m., the Blue Angels mark their flight paths by circling overhead.
Thursday, July 16 – Practice Flight
At 2 p.m., the Blue Angels conduct an over-water practice session.
Friday, July 17 – Full Dress Rehearsal
Demonstrations begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.; Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 18 – Official Pensacola Beach Air Show

The 2026 Lineup Also Features:

Aaron Fitzgerald with Red Bull Air Force

Aaron Fitzgerald is a premier helicopter aerobatic pilot with Red Bull Air Force, known for pushing the limits of rotary-wing flight. With a background in competitive aerobatics and backcountry flying, Fitzgerald performs jaw-dropping maneuvers that showcase the precision, agility, and raw power of his helicopter in ways few pilots in the world can replicate. His dynamic demonstrations blend technical mastery with high-energy showmanship, delivering a thrilling performance that highlights both innovation in aviation and elite pilot skill.

Carol Pilon and Third Strike Wingwalking

Carol Pilon with the Third Strike Wingwalking is one of the most daring acts on the airshow circuit. Performing atop a vintage, open-cockpit, Stearman WWII biplane, Pilon executes graceful yet heart-stopping acrobatics thousands of feet above the ground while the pilot maneuvers through tight turns and climbs. Her performance showcases extraordinary balance, strength, and trust, blending classic barnstorming tradition with high-energy aerial spectacle that leaves audiences in awe.

Frank Kimmel

Corsair pilot Frank Kimmel flies a rare F4U-5N Corsair, one of fewer than 24 airworthy examples remaining worldwide out of more than 12,000 built. Powered by a 2,400-horsepower Pratt & Whitney radial engine and the first piston fighter to exceed 400 mph in level flight, the Corsair is one of World War II’s most iconic aircraft. Frank’s aircraft was built in 1949, later served with the Honduran Air Force during the “Soccer Wars,” was recovered after a 1978 crash in Texas, and restored in 1983. Today, Kimmel honors its extraordinary history by keeping this legendary warbird flying.

Kevin Coleman with Red Bull Air Force

Kevin Coleman flies a Red Bull-branded Extra 330 SC, one of the world’s top unlimited aerobatic aircraft. Beyond airshows, he competes in international unlimited aerobatic competitions, where pilots are judged on precision, technical difficulty, and execution while flying complex sequences of vertical maneuvers, snaps, and tumbles. He has also competed in the Red Bull Air Race Challenger Cup, navigating high-speed slalom courses just above the ground. His competition experience brings a sharp, high-performance edge to every airshow routine.

The Pink Jet

The Pink Jet is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises breast cancer awareness through high-energy aviation demonstrations and community outreach. Centered around a striking pink Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros jet, the team performs at airshows nationwide, combining unforgettable aerial displays with education about early detection, prevention, and survivor support. The Pink Jet is flown by President and pilot Stephanie Goetz and fellow Pink Jet pilot Olga Sannikova—two accomplished aviators who use their expertise and passion to spread hope and life-saving awareness through flight.

Red Bull Air Force Jump Team

Led by legendary skydiver Luke Aikins, the Red Bull Air Force Jump Team is an elite group of professional skydivers and wingsuit athletes who deliver high-energy aerial demonstrations at premier events around the world. Known for precision formations, smoke trails, and pinpoint landings, the team combines decades of experience in skydiving, BASE jumping, wingsuit flying, and competitive disciplines.

Redline Airshows

Redline Airshows is a father-and-son aerobatic duo featuring Ken Rieder and John Rieder, flying matched Van’s Aircraft RV-8 aircraft. The RV-8’s light weight, powerful engine, and exceptional roll rate make it ideal for the team’s tight formation flying, opposing passes, and smoke-filled aerobatic maneuvers. Blending precision, speed, and family chemistry, Redline delivers a fast-paced performance that showcases both technical skill and the thrilling capabilities of these high-performance experimental aircraft.

RJ Gritter

RJ Gritter flies a Bellanca 8KCAB Decathlon, a classic two-seat aerobatic aircraft known for its agility, crisp handling, and capability for both basic and advanced aerobatics. With inverted fuel and oil systems and nearly symmetrical wings, the Decathlon lets Gritter perform precision loops, rolls, hammerheads, and smoke-filled routines that highlight his technical skill and dynamic showmanship at airshows.

Skip Stewart

Skip Stewart is one of airshow aviation’s most electrifying performers, flying his highly modified, one-of-a-kind biplane, Prometheus. Built for extreme aerobatics, the aircraft delivers blistering snap rolls, vertical climbs, and aggressive low-level tumbles that push the limits of pilot and machine. A signature highlight of Stewart’s performance is his breathtaking inverted low-level pass along the pier, where he precisely snaps a string suspended between two poles just 15 feet above the beach—an awe-inspiring demonstration of timing, skill, and absolute control that leaves crowds stunned every time.

Titan Aerobatic Team

The Titan Aerobatic Team is a highly decorated four-ship civilian formation team that thrills audiences in their WWII-era North American AT-6 Texan aircraft. Led by Mark Henley and his seasoned crew, the team delivers tight, precision formation aerobatics including dramatic bomb bursts, avalanches, and perfectly synchronized loops. Their performance honors the legacy of the iconic military trainer while showcasing the discipline, timing, and teamwork required to fly vintage warbirds just feet apart.

Veterans Flight

The Veterans Flight, organized by Pensacola attorney and pilot Roy Kinsey, is a moving aerial tribute flown in vintage Boeing Stearman Model 75 biplanes. About a dozen Stearman pilots from across the Southeast participate in the show, honoring all World War II and Korean War veterans. Once used to train thousands of military aviators, the iconic open-cockpit Stearman represents the foundation of America’s air power, and their dignified flyovers serve as a powerful and nostalgic salute to generations who served.

July 15th – 18th 2026

Stay tuned for more details!

July 9th – 12th 2025

2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show Set for July 9-12 Featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels

Full Schedule Announced

PENSACOLA, Fla. (June 23, 2025) — The Santa Rosa Island Authority is proud to host the 2025 Pensacola Beach Air Show, July 9–12, featuring Pensacola’s hometown heroes—the U.S. Navy Blue Angels—as the headline act.

The four-day event includes a full lineup of top-tier aerobatic performers, ground exhibits, and military demonstrations, culminating with the official air show on Saturday, July 12.

“We’re honored to welcome tens of thousands of visitors every summer to celebrate this awe-inspiring tradition along our world-class beach,” said Robbie Schrock, SRIA Director of Administration.

Air Show Week Schedule:

Wednesday, July 9 – “Breakfast with the Blues”
Around 7:30 a.m., the Blue Angels mark their flight paths by circling overhead.
Thursday, July 10 – Practice Flight
At 2 p.m., the Blue Angels conduct an over-water practice session.
Friday, July 11 – Full Dress Rehearsal
Demonstrations begin at approximately 10:30 a.m.; Blue Angels fly at 2 p.m.
Saturday, July 12 – Official Pensacola Beach Air Show
Same schedule as Friday’s rehearsal.

Luke Carrico will make his inaugural debut as the voice of the air show on Friday and Saturday, with veteran Paul Entrekin serving as Air Boss for his 32nd year.

Before the official airspace closure, a handful of pre-show flight demonstrations will be overhead starting around 10:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, including:

The Black Ducks in WWII-era aircraft.
Sheldon Heatherington in a Zenith 75 STOL named “Redbird.”
Gene Valentino in an Icon A-5.
Tanner Matheny in a 1946 NAvion named “Olivia.”
Veterans Flight team in their WWII-era Stearman biplanes honoring WWII and Korean War veterans, led by Roy Kinsey.
HT-18 training helicopters from TAW-5 aboard NAS Whiting Field.
VT-10 flying T-6 Texans from TAW-6 aboard NAS Pensacola.
U.S. Coast Guard Search & Rescue demo from a MH-65E Dolphin.

At approximately 11:40 a.m., the official air box will close and the lifeguards will clear the water. Shortly following, hold onto your hats for some mouth-dropping aerial performances!

2025 Official Performers Schedule:

USAF B-1B Lancer arrives to tease the raw power and speed of the legendary swing-wing bomber.
Red Bull Air Force team performs the “Presentation of the Colors” by skydiving with the American Flag – landing at show center. Expect aerobatics from helo pilot Aaron Fitzgerald and pilot Kevin Coleman in his Extra 330 SC, too.
B-1B Lancer comes back for more action and maneuvers to impress.
RJ Gritter is next overhead, flying a red, white, and blue Decathlon and bringing high-energy aerobatics to Pensacola for the first time.
The father-son duo of Ken and Austin Rieder with Redline Airshows will deliver formation thrills and precision flying in their RV-8s.
Next up, the four-man Titan Aerobatic Team performs synchronized loops and bomb bursts in their WWII-era AT-6 Texans.
Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitzgerald team up again in a high-adrenaline, two-aircraft routine to finish up with the Red Bull Air Force finale before a short 10-minute water break.

Blue Angels Take Flight at 2 p.m.

As always, closing out the show at 2 p.m. will be YOUR U.S. Navy Flight Demonstrations Squadron, the Blue Angels. Look to the Gulf horizon as the famous C-130J aircraft, affectionately known as Fat Albert, followed by six signature blue and gold F-18 Super Hornets, make their way over Pensacola Beach.

For the next 45 minutes, spectators will get a glimpse of the Blues’ aeronautic maneuvers like the Diamond Dirty Loop, the Double Farvel, the Vertical Pitch, the Fleur-de-Lis, the Opposing Knife-Edge pass, and the crowd-favorite Sneak Pass. These are just a few of the mind-blowing displays of choreographed precision flying the Navy’s flight demonstration team has perfected over the past 79 years.

Know Before You Go

Drones are strictly prohibited during air show waiver hours.
Glass is not allowed on the beach.
Dogs are only permitted at the dog beaches on the island and must remain on leash.
Help us protect our beach: Please Leave Only Your Footprints.

2025 Trolley Schedule For The Pensacola Beach Air Show

Schedule To Be Determined
STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO

Locals and visitors from all over look forward to the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show held every the summer in July. The show highlights our hometown heroes — the Blue Angels — the U. S. Navy’s flight demonstration squadron stationed at Forrest Sherman Field aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola. The Blues hold several practice sessions along the beach in the days leading up to the big event on show day.