Abbotsford Airshow Fighter Jet Static Display

Taking place on a weekend in August and featuring all kinds of vintage planes and military aircraft, the Abbotsford International Airshow is amazing.

If you like airplanes and aerial stunts, another great event is Chilliwack Flight Fest. In 2023 it was a week later, on August 20th. It’s nowhere near as big as the airshow in Abbotsford, but it’s far less crowded and admission to it is free!

To learn about the above and other events happening on the same weekend as the airshow, see Vancouver’s August Festivals & Events Calendar. To learn about the Abbotsford Airshow, however, continue reading.

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Click on any of the above links to jump to specific information, or continue reading to learn all about the Abbotsford International Airshow.

Abbotsford Airshow in 2023

The Abbotsford International Airshow celebrated its 61st anniversary in 2023. The airshow ran from August 11th to 13th at its usual Abbotsford Airport (YXX) venue at 1595 Townline Road in Abbotsford. Dates for the show’s run in August 2024 are to be confirmed.

The event has been taking place each summer for over 60 years and typically draws over 125,000 people, making it Western Canada’s largest airshow.

In 2023 performers included a CF-18 Hornet demo, the United States Air Force Lightning II, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and others.

Snowbird Planes at Abbotsford Airshow — Canadian Forces Snowbirds

About the Abbotsford Airshow

The three-day event draws aircraft and spectators from around the world. Most years, highlights include appearances by Canada’s Snowbirds, Canadian Forces parachute teams, entries from the Canadian Museum of Flight and demonstrations by Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornets. Foreign air forces participate as well.

The Abbotsford Airshow is definitely one of Metro Vancouver’s top annual events, especially for people who like airplanes. Even for those who aren’t airplane fanatics, the spectacle can be very entertaining.

In 2013 the event was listed as one of the world’s top 10 airshows by USA Today. Of the other nine, six were from the US, two from the UK and one in Germany.

The Abbotsford International Airshow was cancelled in 2020 due to concerns over the coronavirus pandemic. However, the event returned in a modified format in August of 2021. It happened in its regular format in 2022 and again in 2023.

FREE AIRSHOW IN CHILLIWACK!

Another airplane-related event is Chilliwack Flight Fest which, in 2023, took place a week after the Abbotsford Airshow, so on August 19th and 20th. Whereas the Abbotsford event costs about $40 for adults per day at the gate, the Chilliwack event, although much smaller, is free.

Taking a Look at a Fighter Display

Airshow Details

The 2021 Abbotsford International Airshow was labeled “SkyDrive.” It was a drive-in experience where attendees were given a 20-foot by 20-foot square of space to park their cars and enjoy the show. The event returned to its normal format in 2022.

2023 Details

In 2023 the Abbotsford International Airshow happened on August 11th, 12th and 13th. Hours on the Friday were from 2:00 pm until 10:00 pm, and then from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

The show in 2023 featured lots of amazing aerobatic performances and demonstrations. Other things to have checked out included a Static Aircraft Display and the S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Activity Zone. There were flight simulators, craft beer tents, food trucks and more to enjoy.

Geoff Latter in Nanchang CJ-6A Stunt Plane — Geoff Latter in a Nanchang CJ-6A

For a video of airshow stunts from inside a 1958 Nanchang CJ-6A that often performs at the event, click Video with Geoff Latter Airshows.

Airshow Highlights and Performers

Below is information about what to expect at the airshow.

A major highlight of the event is the Twilight Show. In 2023 it happened on the Friday evening. On that day there were hot air balloons, a GhostWriter performance, a drone light show, and more.

Airshow Schedule

The 2023 schedule of events is listed below.

(Note: Times and details were subject to change.)

Friday, August 11th, 2023 (Twilight Show)

2:00 pm – Gates opened
5:30 pm – Opening and Anthems, Canadian Forces Skyhawks, USAF C-17 Globemaster III
6:00 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds, RCAF Search & Rescue Demo
7:00 pm – USAF F-35 Lightning II Demo, Historic Warbirds, Melissa Burns
8:00 pm – USN E/A-18G Growler Demo, RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo
9:00 pm – Kyle Fowler, Ghostwriter (Nathan Hammond), Northstar Drone Shows
10:00 pm – Gates closed

Abbotsford Airshow Fireworks — Fireworks Night at the Abbotsford Airshow

Saturday, August 12th, 2023

9:00 am – Gates opened
11:30 am – Opening and Anthems, Canadian Forces Skyhawks, Historic Warbirds
12:00 pm – RCAF Search & Rescue Demo, NORAD Interdiction Demo
1:00 pm – Kyle Fowler, USAF C-17 Globemaster III, Melissa Burns
2:00 pm – USN E/A-18G Growler Demo, Canadian Forces Snowbirds
3:00 pm – Ghostwriter (Nathan Hammond), USAF F-35 Lightning II Demo
4:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo Team
5:00 pm – Gates closed

Sunday August 13th, 2023

9:00 am – Gates opened
11:30 am – Opening and Anthems, Canadian Forces Skyhawks, Historic Warbirds
12:00 pm – RCAF Search & Rescue Demo, NORAD Interdiction Demo
1:00 pm – Kyle Fowler, USAF C-17 Globemaster III, Melissa Burns
2:00 pm – USN E/A-18G Growler Demo, Canadian Forces Snowbirds
3:00 pm – Ghostwriter (Nathan Hammond), USAF F-35 Lightning II Demo
4:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo
5:00 pm – Gates closed

Fighter Jet Display at Abbotsford Airshow — A Fighter Jet in the Static Display

2023 Performers

Featured performers in 2023 included the following:

B-25 Mitchell “Grumpy” – a North American bomber.
Canadian Forces Snowbirds – Canada’s famous flight demonstration squadron.
CF-18 Hornet – a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft.
GhostWriter Airshows – an acrobatic flyer originally designed for the RCAF, piloted by Nathan K. Hammond.
North Star Drone Shows – an innovative display with drone choreography.
P-40 Kittyhawk – a fighter first flown in 1938.
P-51 Mustang “Val-Halla” – a long distance fighter escort aircraft.
SkyHawks Parachute Demonstration Team – the Canadian Forces parachute team.
Supermarine Spitfire – a British aircraft used by the Czechoslovakian Air Force.
USAF F-35 Lightning II – the US Air Force’s newest fighter.
US Navy E/A-18 Growler – the US Navy’s top electronic warfare aircraft, a variant of the F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Melissa Burns – marvel at the aerobatics manoeuvers of Melissa Burns who became the youngest female member of the United States Unlimited Aerobatic Team in history at 22 years of age.
US Airforce Heritage Flight – a display of the US Air Force’s past, present, and future aircraft.
US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III – considered one of the world’s most versatile and powerful cargo aircraft, be enthralled at the smooth takeoff and landing of this behemoth aircraft.
Kyle Fowler – be awed by Ken Fowler’s aerobatics artistry as he takes to the skies in his 1986 Long EZ.
Precision Exotics – if you like high-performance machines, the Abbotsford International Airshow is where you want to be to see some exotic cars in action while you marvel the action in the skies.

Past Performers

Performers and demonstrators from past years have included the following:

A-1 Skyraider “Proud American” – an aircraft used by the US during the Korean war.
Acemaker T-33 – a fighter plane of the style used in the Korean War.
B-17 Flying Fortress – a strategic long-range bomber from the United States.
F-22 Raptor – a single-seat fighter aircraft designed for the US Air Force.
RCAF CC-177 Globemaster III Demo – troop, cargo and combat equipment transporter.
Vampire Airshows – demonstrating an RAF wartime jet fighter.
P-38 Lightning “Tangerine” – a US wartime, modern military aircraft.
P-51B Mustang “Impatient Virgin” – a US high altitude World War II and Korean War fighter.
Aeroshell Aerobatic Team – a team delivering amazing and classic aerobatic performances.
Team Rocket – a creative performance by aircrafts created by Team Rocket Inc.
Freeman Airshows – an experienced and acclaimed flyer with over 32 years’ experience.
Manfred Radius – a professional airman performing incredible routines in a sailplane.
Mike Tryggvason – a young pilot with over 10 years of experience flying in competitions and for work.
US Navy Blue Angels – the American flight demonstration squadron (and the second oldest squadron of its kind in the world).
P-47D Thunderbolt – a large and heavy World War II aircraft used for transportation and bombing.
Pete McLeod – a Red Bull Air Race pilot.

USAF C-5 Galaxy at Abbotsford Airshow — USAF C-5 Galaxy

More Past Performers

Other planes and pilots that have participated in previous years include the following:

USAF C-5 Galaxy – a giant American military transport plane built by Lougheed and maintained by Lougheed Martin.
Jodi Rueger – a veteran pilot and former flight instructor from London, Ontario.
Kent Pietsch Airshows – a one-man show demonstrating awe-inspiring routines.
Messerschmidt Me-109 – a combat plane that first flew in 1935.
Rob Holland – the New England-based American stunt pilot performed in his all carbon-fiber American-made plane.
Buck Roetman – the American stunt pilot flew a 250-horsepower Lycoming IO360 built by Penn Yan Aero.
USAF Heritage Flight – an American flying team whose planes included a P-47 Thunderbolt (used in World War II and throughout the 1950s) and an A-1 Skyraider (used in the Korean and Vietnam wars).
F8F Bearcat – an American World War II piston-engine fighter plane designed to defend against Japanese kamikaze attacks.
Grumman F6F Hellcat – an American aircraft carrier-based fighter designed to fight against Japanese Zeros in the Second World War.
TBM-3E Avenger “Ida Red” – an American torpedo bomber first introduced in the early 1940s, later modified and then retired in the 1960s.
A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo – an air support plane from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the United States.
Yak 110 – a combination of two Yak-55 and a spare jet engine were used to create this innovative aircraft.
RCAF Search and Rescue Demo – demonstrating the Cyclone, a ship-borne helicopter.
US Air Force Thunderbirds – US air demonstration flight team.

A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo — A-10 Thunderbolt II

Airshow Admission Prices

Tickets for the airshow are usually cheapest when purchased online and prior to August. Children under 5 years of age are free admission. Youth ages 6 to 17 are about half the regular adult price. General admission tickets are valid on one of the three airshow days. For the 2022 airshow, multi-day passes were also available. Parking is between $14 and $15 per vehicle for a day.

Below were the advance (while quantities last) and regular online rates for the 2023 Abbotsford International Airshow.

Walk-in General Admission

Adults (ages 18+) – $34.99 advance; $39.99 regular per day
Youth (ages 6 to 17) – $17.49 advance; $19.99 regular per day
Parking Pass Near Site for One Vehicle – $13.99 advance; $14.99 regular per day
Children (under 5 years of age) – Free
Active and Retired Military Personnel – Free (must show military ID)

General Admission with On-site Parking

Car Pass for One Vehicle (maximum five people ages 6 and over) – $99.99 advance; $109.99 regular
Van Pass for One Vehicle (maximum eight people ages 6 and over) – $154.99 advance; $169.99 regular

Abbotsford Airshow Grounds and Grandstand — General Seating with the Grandstand in the Distance

Premium Seating Options

In addition to the above costs for general admission, once inside the venue visitors usually have the option to pay extra for premium seating.

In 2023 there was Runway Seating (for between $10.99 and $11.99 extra), Family Garden Seating and Flight Club Seating (for between $74.99 and $79.99 extra). There was also Photo Pit (for between $109.99 and $119.99 extra for one day, and for between $219.99 and $239.99 extra for three days) and President’s Club (single for between $199.99 and $214.99, and for a reserved table for six for between $1,399.99 and $1,499.99). Prices for each of these sections (except for the Photo Pit and President’s Club premium options) were in addition to the regular cost of gate admission.

Runway Seating gets you a chair near the runaway. Family Garden Seating includes patio seating and two non-alcoholic beverages. The Flight Club Zone is for folks ages 19+ and includes patio-style seating, a barbecue lunch and a couple of complimentary beverages. The Photo Pit includes admission to the airshow and on-site parking, as well as a centre spot to take photos. The President’s Club option includes VIP admission to the airshow plus on-site parking, as well as catered meals.

Canadian Snowbird Planes at Abbotsford — Snowbirds at the Abbotsford Airshow

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most out of your visit to the airshow.

TIP #1: It can get hot in August in Abbotsford. Be sure to bring plenty to drink, or plan to buy refreshments there.

TIP #2: Bring a lawn chair, blanket or something else to sit on, plus a hat to wear as there is little or no shade.

TIP #3: Admission for both active members of the military and veterans is usually free. If you qualify, make sure to take your ID as proof of service.

TIP #4: If attending the Friday night fireworks, try to get to your car at the end as soon as you can. Be prepared for lots of traffic and have patience!

TIP #5: If you can’t make the Abbotsford Airshow but absolutely love planes, then check out the Canadian Museum of Flight. Located in Hangar #3 at 5333 216th Street in Langley, it’s a small to medium-sized museum with both indoor and outdoor exhibits.

TIP #6: The Abbotsford Airshow can be a great event for the entire family. For young kids though (or anyone with very sensitive ears) it’s recommended to bring along a set of ear plugs for the especially noisy jets.

TIP #7: If you like airplanes, then also check out Sky’s No Limit: Girls Fly Too. It’s a free event where you can climb aboard and explore a variety of aircraft. Women and girls who have never been in a plane before can also get free flights! The event takes place in October at the Abbotsford Airport.