The Rochester International Airshow is coming back August 8–9, 2026—and it’s bringing the big guns. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II Demo Team, and U.S. Army Golden Knights have all locked in as the military headline acts at Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport.
Organizers made the announcement official at a May 26 press conference. This marks the seventh time the Thunderbirds will headline a Rochester airshow. The Nellis Air Force Base demonstration team last flew here in 2023. But the real draw this year? The F-35B Demo Team’s debut in Rochester—piloted by Major William Horn, a 2014 University of Rochester graduate and Rochester native.
Horn will be flying the first-ever supersonic, stealth fighter with short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability. It’s a jet that redefines what’s possible in a 5th-gen platform. For Northeast audiences, watching the F-35B’s full performance envelope in person—from hover to transonic maneuvering—is a rare opportunity.
What’s on the Ramp
Beyond the military headline acts, the A.P. Property Services Rochester International Airshow (presented by Kwik Fill, the Ontario Golf Club, and the Pub on the Green) will feature over 30 additional aircraft in static display and aerial events. Rick Volker is bringing high-energy Marchetti 260 aerobatics. The Commemorative Air Force will have the P-51C Red Tail and the RISE ABOVE Exhibit—a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots. Then there’s the Class of ’45 aerobatic team: Scott Yoak’s P-51 “Quick Silver, The Resurrected Veteran” and Jim Tobul’s F-4U Corsair “Korean War Hero” flying in formation.
An honor parade on both days will showcase WWII, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans alongside Rosie the Riveters and a marching band. More performers are expected before gates open.
Gates, Tickets, Logistics
Gates open at 9:30 AM each day. Flying runs from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM. General admission, reserved seating, and VIP flight deck experience tickets are all available at www.rochairshow.com. Through June 2, 2026, all ticket categories get a 15% discount—just use promo code FLY at checkout.
Kids 12 and under get in free with a ticketed adult. Parking is sold separately. A shuttle runs from the Rochester Institute of Technology campus, though the return service stops after 2:15 PM.
Local Roots, Regional Reach
“It’s one thing to see these aircraft on TV. It’s another thing to see it and feel it, right down on the airport’s tarmac. And this year, you are certainly going to feel the airshow,” said Monroe County Executive Adam Bello at the announcement.
Major Horn’s homecoming adds a personal dimension to the F-35B demo. The jet itself—with its vertical thrust vectoring and low-observable shaping—represents a technological leap few Northeast airshows have hosted. Pair that with the Thunderbirds’ precision diamond formation work and the Golden Knights’ freefall parachute sequences, and August 8–9 becomes a comprehensive look at modern U.S. military aviation capability.
A portion of proceeds benefits the Sunny Mike Foundation, which has provided emergency financial assistance to Finger Lakes region veterans since 2021.
Rochester’s airshow is cementing the Northeast as a serious destination on the 2026 military demonstration circuit. Mark your calendar now—early-bird pricing expires June 2.
Sources
- Finger Lakes Daily News — USAF Thunderbirds Headline Rochester Airshow 2026
- Monroe County Executive Office — Official Press Release, May 26, 2026
- Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport — 2026 A.P. Property Services Rochester International Airshow Announcement
- Rochester Airshow Official Website — www.rochairshow.com
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