The Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo 2026 is set to take place from April 14–19 at the Lakeland Linder International Airport. This year features a significant change to the mid-week schedule with the introduction of the “Composite Airshow” on Wednesday.
Below is your day-by-day guide to the airshows and key activities.
🗓️ Daily Airshow Schedule
| Day | Airshow Time | Key Highlight Acts |
| Tuesday, April 14 | 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM | USAF Thunderbirds (Arrival/Maneuvers), F-22 Raptor Demo |
| Wednesday, April 15 | 5:00 PM – 9:15 PM | Composite Airshow (Sunset & Night Acts), F-22 Raptor |
| Thursday, April 16 | 1:00 PM – 5:15 PM | Warbirds Show, B-25 “Panchito”, F-22 Raptor Demo |
| Friday, April 17 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | USAF Thunderbirds, F-18 Rhino Demo, Red Bull Air Force |
| Saturday, April 18 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | Day Airshow: F-22 Raptor, F-18 Rhino, Warbirds |
| Saturday Night | 7:00 PM – 9:15 PM | Night Airshow: Pyrotechnics, Drones, Fireworks |
| Sunday, April 19 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM | USAF Thunderbirds (Full Show), F-18 Rhino Demo |
🚀 Day-by-Day Activities & Special Events
Tuesday, April 14: Opening Day
- Morning: Check out the Drone Soccer World Cup and explore the 500+ exhibitors.
- Evening (5:00 PM): Opening Night Concert on the Warbird Ramp featuring Cooper Alan and Thomas Mac.
- What to do: Visit the Flight Tech Sim Center (9 AM – 5 PM) to try your hand at flight simulators.
Wednesday, April 15: The Composite Show
- New Format: Instead of a separate day/night show, everything is combined into one continuous event starting at 5:00 PM.
- What to do: Use the extra morning time (7 AM – 5 PM) to visit the Forums & Workshops or the STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) Invitational at the grass strip.
- Evening: Enjoy the Mountain Brew Band at the Campground (6 PM – 8 PM).
Thursday, April 16: MOSAIC Day
- Theme: Focused on the FAA’s new MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rules.
- What to do: Attend MOSAIC-specific forums at the Paradise City Forum starting at 10:30 AM.
- Afternoon: High-energy warbird performances and the Full Throttle Formation Team.
Friday, April 17: Military Power
- Highlights: The heavy hitters arrive. The USAF Thunderbirds and the USN F-18 Rhino Demo Team typically ramp up their routines.
- What to do: Visit the Career Fair if you are looking for opportunities in aviation, or catch the Ghostwriter Airshows meet-and-greet at 12:00 PM at Aerobatic HQ.
Saturday, April 18: The Grand Finale
- Highlights: Two airshows in one day! The day show is followed by the famous Night Airshow featuring the “Tora” bomb squad, drones, and massive fireworks.
- What to do: Visit Choppertown for helicopter-specific displays or the Florida Air Museum (9 AM – 5 PM).
Sunday, April 19: Family Day
- Highlights: The final full performance by the USAF Thunderbirds.
- What to do: Great for families to catch anything they missed. Most exhibits close early (around 4 PM), and the show wraps up after the final airshow.
💡 Pro-Tips for Your Visit
- Hydration: Lakeland in April can be very hot; take advantage of the Family Oasis for cooling stations.
- Ear Protection: Essential for the military jet demos (F-22 and Thunderbirds).
- Wednesday Change: Remember that there is no 1:00 PM airshow on Wednesday—it all moves to the evening!
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