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.

In 2025 the Abbotsford Airshow happens from August 8th to 10th.

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.

TIP: If you like airplanes and aerial stunts, another great event is Chilliwack Flight Fest. It happens around mid-August, although exact dates for 2025’s event are to be determined. The Chilliwack event is nowhere near as big as the airshow in Abbotsford, but it’s far less crowded and admission to it is free! The Boundary Bay Airshow is also really good, and free to attend, and this year the Canadian Snowbirds will be performing at it. The Boundary Bay event takes place a month earlier though, on July 19th, in 2025.

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Abbotsford Airshow

The Abbotsford International Airshow celebrates its 63rd anniversary in 2025. The airshow runs on August 8th, 9th and 10th at its usual Abbotsford Airport (YXX) venue at 1595 Townline Road in Abbotsford.

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.

Performers last year included a CF-18 Hornet demo, the United States Air Force F-22 Raptor, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and others.

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, 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.

FREE AIRSHOW IN CHILLIWACK!

Another airplane-related event is Chilliwack Flight Fest. It usually takes place a week after the Abbotsford Airshow. Whereas the Abbotsford event costs about $40 for adults per day at the gate, the Chilliwack event, although much smaller, is free.

Airshow Details

The Abbotsford International Airshow happens over a three-day weekend in early August. Hours on the Friday are usually from 2:30 pm until 10:00 pm, and then from 9:30 am until 5:00 pm on the Saturday and Sunday.

The show features lots of amazing aerobatic performances and demonstrations. Other things to check out include a Static Aircraft Display and the S.T.E.M (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Activity Zone. There are often 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. It typically happens on the Friday evening. On that day there are displays like hot air balloons, a GhostWriter performance, a drone light show, and more.

Airshow Schedule

To give you an idea of what to expect, below was the schedule of events from last year’s event. Details were accurate as of late July.

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

Friday, August 9th, 2024 (Twilight Show)

2:30 pm – Gates open
5:00 pm – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
5:15 pm – Canadian Forces Skyhawks
5:30 pm – USAF F-16 NORAD demo
6:00 pm – USAF C-17 Globemaster demo
6:30 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds
7:30 pm – USAF F-22 Raptor demo
8:30 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Demo
9:00 pm – Civilian Night Aerobatics
9:30 pm – RCAF LED Drone show
10:00 pm – Gates close

Abbotsford Airshow Fireworks — Fireworks Night at the Abbotsford Airshow

Saturday, August 10th, 2024

9:30 am – Gates open
11:00 am – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
11:30 am – Canadian Forces Skyhawks
12:30 pm – USAF F-16 NORAD demo
1:00 pm – USAF C-17 Globemaster demo
2:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet demo
2:20 pm – RCAF Centennial Flight
2:30 pm – RCAF CC-130 Hercule Aerial Refueling demo
3:00 pm – USAF F-22 Raptor demo
4:00 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds
5:00 pm – Gates closed

Sunday August 11th, 2024

9:30 am – Gates open
11:00 am – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
11:30 am – Canadian Forces Skyhawks
12:30 pm – USAF F-16 NORAD demo
1:00 pm – USAF C-17 Globemaster demo
2:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet demo
2:20 pm – RCAF Centennial Flight
2:30 pm – RCAF CC-130 Hercule Aerial Refueling demo
3:00 pm – USAF F-22 Raptor demo
4:00 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds
5:00 pm – Gates closed

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

2024 Performers

Featured performers in 2024 included the following:

Canadian Forces Snowbirds – Canada’s famous flight demonstration squadron.
CF-18 Hornet – a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft.
US Air Force F-22 Raptor – an internationally-renowned fighter team.
P-40 Kittyhawk – a fighter first flown in 1938.
P-51 Mustang “Val-Halla” – a long distance fighter escort aircraft.
Acemaker T-33 – one of the oldest models of fighter jets in North America.
SkyHawks Parachute Demonstration Team – the Canadian Forces parachute team.
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.
Bob Carlton – an air show legend who has thousands of hours of aerial experience.
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

Below are just a few examples of the many other performers who have participated at the event in the past.

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.
US Navy Blue Angels – the American flight demonstration squadron (and the second oldest squadron of its kind in the world).
Pete McLeod – a Red Bull Air Race pilot. (He often also performs at the Celebration of Light fireworks festival at English Bay in the summer too.)

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:

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 World War II.
A-10 Thunderbolt II Demo – an air support plane from the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in the United States.
RCAF Search and Rescue Demo – demonstrating the Cyclone, a ship-borne helicopter.

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.

Below were the advance and regular online rates for last year’s Abbotsford International Airshow.

Walk-in General Admission

Adults (ages 18+) – $29.99 advance; $59.99 regular per day
Youth (ages 6 to 17) – $14.99 advance; $29.99 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) – $89.99 advance; $119.99 regular
Van Pass for One Vehicle (maximum eight people ages 6 and over) – $139.99 advance; $184.99 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.

There is typically Runway Seating (for between $9.99 and $12.99 extra), Family Garden Seating and Flight Club Seating (for between $74.99 and $99.99 extra). There is also Photo Pit (for between $99.99 and $129.99 extra for one day) and President’s Club (single for between $184.99 and $239.99, and for a reserved table for six for between $1,294.99 and $1,679.99). Prices for each of these sections (except for the Photo Pit and President’s Club premium options) are 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

Abbotsford Airshow Video

For an idea of what to expect at the Abbotsford Airshow, check out the video below. It was filmed on the ground in 2022. Of course, there’s always lots happening in the sky too!

(Note: The music in this video is Cherry Stone Rock by meak363 from Pixabay.)

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips to help you make the most 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.