America’s two premier military jet demonstration teams will headline different airshows on the same weekend: the Navy Blue Angels are scheduled for Thunder Over Louisiana in Lake Charles, while the Air Force Thunderbirds are scheduled for the Grissom Air & Space Expo in Indiana on August 29–30, 2026.
That gives fans a rare coast-to-coast-style choice between two six-jet demonstrations—roughly 800 miles apart—during the final weekend of August. Here is what is confirmed, what visitors need to know and where to check for last-minute changes.
Blue Angels: Thunder Over Louisiana
The Blue Angels are scheduled to perform Saturday and Sunday at Chennault International Airport in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The organizer says gates open at 10 a.m., flying begins at 1 p.m., flying ends at 4 p.m. and gates close at 5 p.m. on both days.
The event does not plan to publish a minute-by-minute performer sequence. Its official schedule says all advertised performers—including the Blue Angels—are expected to fly both days, but timing and participation remain subject to weather, maintenance and operational changes.
- Dates: August 29–30, 2026
- Location: Chennault International Airport, Lake Charles, Louisiana
- Gates: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Flying window: 1–4 p.m.
- Headliner: U.S. Navy Blue Angels
Ticket availability is tightening. The organizer’s ticket page currently lists Saturday general admission as sold out and Sunday inventory as limited. Children 15 and younger are admitted free, according to the event, but adult admission and the appropriate parking arrangements are still required.
Visitors may bring folding chairs, blankets, sunscreen, hearing protection, cameras and empty non-glass water containers. The published restrictions prohibit outside food and drinks, coolers, pets, weapons, drones, smoking and vaping. Check the organizer’s current rules before leaving home.
Check the official Thunder Over Louisiana schedule and entry restrictions.
Thunderbirds: Grissom Air & Space Expo
The Thunderbirds are scheduled to headline the Grissom Air & Space Expo at Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana, on the same Saturday and Sunday. The Air Force’s official 2026 schedule lists Grissom for August 29–30, and the base’s event site confirms the expo dates.
- Dates: August 29–30, 2026
- Location: Grissom Air Reserve Base, Indiana
- Published event hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Headliner: U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
This is Grissom’s first air and space expo since 2019, making it more than a routine tour stop. The nearby Grissom Air Museum also advertises a Thunderbirds block party for Friday, August 28, before the weekend performances.
Check the official Grissom Air & Space Expo page and verify the Thunderbirds’ official schedule before traveling.
Which show should you choose?
For Gulf Coast fans, Lake Charles offers the Blue Angels plus a published afternoon flying window. For Midwest fans, Grissom offers the Thunderbirds and the return of a base airshow after a seven-year gap. The better choice is generally the event that avoids a long same-day drive: traffic around major shows can be heavy, and arrival procedures may be different from normal airport access.
Whichever team you choose, bring hearing protection—especially for children—prepare for limited shade, hydrate, and confirm the organizer’s weather and parking updates on show morning. Demonstration schedules can change for safety, weather, maintenance or operational requirements.
Why both teams are flying on the same weekend
The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds maintain separate national schedules. They occasionally appear at the same major event, but most weekends place them in different regions so more communities can see a military jet demonstration. On August 29–30, that split sends the Blue Angels to Louisiana and the Thunderbirds to Indiana.
See the continuously updated 2026 airshow schedule for the remaining Blue Angels, Thunderbirds and Snowbirds dates.
Schedule status: checked August 23, 2026 against the event organizers and official demonstration-team schedules. Organizers and military teams remain the authoritative sources.
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