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 on August 16th and 17th, 2025. 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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The 2025 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 this year include the CF-18 Hornet, a F-35 Lightning II demo, 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 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 is free (although it’s also much smaller).

Airshow Details

The Abbotsford International Airshow happens over a three-day weekend in early August. Hours on the Friday are 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 happens on the Friday evening. On that day there are plenty of great flying displays, a drone light show, and more.

Airshow Schedule

To give you an idea of what to expect, below is the schedule of events from the 2025 event. Details are accurate as of late March.

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

Friday, August 8th, 2025 (Twilight Show)

2:30 pm – Gates open
5:00 pm – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
6:00 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds
6:30 pm – E/A-18 Growler demo
7:30 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Tac demo
8:00 pm – F-35 Lightning II demo
8:30 pm – MiG-17F Fresco demo
9:30 pm – LED Drone show
10:00 pm – Gates close

Abbotsford Airshow Fireworks — Fireworks Night at the Abbotsford Airshow

Saturday, August 9th, 2025

9:30 am – Gates open
11:00 am – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
1:00 pm – MiG-17F Fresco demo
1:30 pm – E/A-18 Growler demo
2:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Tac demo
3:30 pm – F-35 Lightning II demo
4:00 pm – Canadian Forces Snowbirds
5:00 pm – Gates closed

Sunday August 10th, 2025

9:30 am – Gates open
11:00 am – Opening and anthems, flying events begin
1:00 pm – MiG-17F Fresco demo
1:30 pm – E/A-18 Growler demo
2:00 pm – RCAF CF-18 Hornet Tac demo
3:30 pm – F-35 Lightning II 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

2025 Performers

Featured performers in 2025 include the following:

Canadian Forces Snowbirds – Canada’s famous flight demonstration squadron.
CF-18 Hornet – a Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft.
F-35 Lightning II Demo Team – the Lightning II is a stealth fighter jet that can fly at supersonic speeds.
E/A-18 Growler – an aircraft that is designed to jam and otherwise mess with enemy radar systems.
MiG-17F Fresco – a dogfighting plane developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s.
F4U-7 Corsair – one of the most innovative and influential aircrafts from the Second World War.
KC-46 Pegasus Demo Team – the Pegasus is primarily a refueling plane, one that can reach other aircraft from any distance.
F8F Bearcat – an American World War II piston-engine fighter plane designed to defend against Japanese kamikaze attacks.
GhostWriter: Nate Hammond – Nathan Hammond has over 7,000 hours of flight experience and over the last decade has specialized in piloting the GhostWriter, a refurbished Royal Canadian Air Force aircraft.
Wingwalker Sam – experience the thrilling sight of wingwalking, as Sam Tryggvason is secured to the wing on the outside of a plane and gives a choreographed performance.
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.

Taking a Look at a Fighter Display

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:

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 are the advance and regular online rates for the 2025 Abbotsford International Airshow.

Walk-in General Admission

Adults (ages 18+) – $29.99 advance; $49.99 regular per day
Youth (ages 6 to 17) – $14.99 advance; $24.99 regular per day
Parking Pass Near Site for One Vehicle – $14.99 advance; $18.99 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 eight people ages 6 and over) – $89.99 advance; $129.99 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 have the option to pay extra for premium seating.

There is Runway Seating (for between $9.99 and $24.99 extra), Family Garden Seating and Flight Club Seating (for between $24.99 and $99.99 extra). There is also Photo Pit (for between $99.99 and $139.99 extra for one day) and the Altitude Chalet (single for between $184.99 and $244.99, or a reserved table for six for between $1,299.99 and $1,699.99). Prices for each of these sections (except for the Photo Pit and Altitude Chalet 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 Altitude Chalet 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.