2023 USAF Thunderbirds Air Show Schedule

MAIN Travel USA 2023 Thunderbirds Schedule

Thunderbirds in performance Now in their 66th year of wowing audiences, the US Air Force Thunderbirds -- "America's Ambassadors in Blue" -- can always be relied upon for breathtakingly spectacular performances at air shows and special events coast to coast.

This year, the Thunderbirds are scheduled to perform public demonstrations at 35 locations throughout the US.

Just up ahead, check out more information on the US Air Force Thunderbirds including fun facts and trivia, and the full 2023 Thunderbirds schedule for where they will be appearing this year at a location near you.

The 2023 season kicks off with the Thunderbirds' first public flyover at the 2023 Daytona 500 in February, followed by a full schedule at venues nationwide from March to November. That includes the 2023 Chicago Air & Water Show in August.

The 130-person squadron represents the more than 500,000 active duty, guard, and reserve airmen serving at home and abroad.

also see in Travel -> 2023 Blue Angels Schedule | 2023 Kansas City Air Show

DID YOU KNOW? Thunderbirds fun facts

• The original show in 1953 consisted of a series of formation aerobatics and lasted all of 15 minutes.

• The Thunderbirds were originally known as the 3600th Air Demonstration Unit, but eventually adopted the name "Thunderbirds" in honor of the Native American culture and folklore of the Southwest where they were based at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

• The Thunderbirds made both television and NASCAR history in 2003 while celebrating their 50th Anniversary. The unit's leader started the Coca-Cola 600 race that year by broadcasting live from the Thunderbirds No. 1 cockpit to announce: “Gentlemen, start your engines.”

• In addition to US mainland performances the Thunderbirds perform in Hawaii and Alaska, and enjoy a worldwide reputation with goodwill tours in countries throughout Europe and the Far East.

2023 Thunderbirds schedule

February 19: Daytona 500 2023 Flyover, Daytona International Speedway, Daytona, FL

March 25-26: Thunder & Lightning Over Arizona – Davis- Monthan AFB, AZ

April 1-2: Wings Over Homestead – Homestead ARB, FL
April 15-16: Cocoa Beach Airshow – Cocoa Beach, FL
April 22-23: Southern California Airshow – March ARB, CA
April 29-30: Thunder Over the Sound – Biloxi, MS

May 6-7: Airpower Over Hampton Roads – Langley AFB, Hampton, VA
May 13-14: Augusta Airshow – Augusta, GA
May 20-21: Chennault Airshow – Lake Charles, LA
May 24: USAF Academy – Colorado Springs, CO
May 27-29: Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach Park – Wantagh, NY

June 1: USAFA Graduation – Colorado Springs, CO
June 10-11: OC Air Show – Ocean City, MD
June 17-18: Westmoreland County Airshow – Latrobe, PA
June 24-25: Quad City Airshow – Davenport, IA

July 1-2: National Cherry Festival Airshow – Traverse City, MI
July 15-16: JBLM Airshow & Warrior Expo – JB Lewis-McChord, WA
July 22-23: Dayton Airshow – Dayton, OH
July 26: Cheyenne Frontier Days – Cheyenne, WY
July 29-30: Power on the Prairie – Sioux Falls, SD

August 12-13: Rochester International Airshow – Rochester, NY
August 16: Thunder Over the Boardwalk – Atlantic City Airshow – Atlantic City, NJ
August 19-20: Chicago Air and Water Show – Chicago, IL
August 26-27: Gowen Thunder Open House & Airshow – Boise, ID

September 2-4: Cleveland National Air Show – Cleveland, OH
September 9-10: Volaria Aeronautics Festival – Mirabel, QC, Canada
September 16-17: Owensboro Air Show – Owensboro, KY
September 23-24: California Capitol Airshow – Sacramento, CA
September 30-October 1: Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach – Huntington Beach, CA

October 7-8: California International Airshow – Salinas, CA
October 14-15: Wings Over Houston – Houston, TX
October 21-22: Thunder Over the Rock – Little Rock AFB, AR
October 28-29: Orlando Air and Space Show – Sanford (Orlando), FL

November 4-5: Florida International Airshow – Punta Gorda, FL

NOTE: Please check the official Thunderbirds web site for the most up-to-date information.

More about Thunderbird air shows around the Web:

U.S. Air Force Thunderbird History

U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds - Wikipedia