The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will fill the skies over Grande Prairie this weekend for the Grande Prairie Regional Airshow on August 1 and 2, 2026. The event at the Grande Prairie Airport marks the team’s final season flying their iconic CT-114 Tutor jets before the Snowbirds are grounded until the early 2030s and the aircraft are permanently retired.
This is the second edition of the revived airshow, which returned in 2024 after a 19-year break. It is hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Grande Prairie, with all proceeds going to the D Coy Armouries Community Hub Project. The $3.5 million project aims to restore the historic D Company Armouries building into a community hub. The Rotary Club has already pledged $1.8 million toward the project.
One of the Snowbirds pilots, Captain Iain Muir, was born and raised in Grande Prairie and was a member of the Air Cadets. He joined the team in 2025 and will perform in his hometown. This adds a personal touch to the high-flying acrobatics.
Gates open at 10:00 a.m. both days, with performances running from noon to 4:00 p.m. General admission is $40 for adults and $25 for youth aged 7 to 15, while kids 6 and under get in free. For those looking to upgrade, VIP Altitude Club packages are available for $150 per person. Free shuttle buses will run from Northwestern Polytechnic, Grande Prairie Composite High School, and St. Joseph Catholic High School.
The Grande Prairie Regional Tourism Association sees the airshow as a major draw for summer visitors. The association has set a goal of reaching $296 million in visitor spending in and around the city by 2026. Events like this are key to supporting local hotels, restaurants, and businesses during peak tourism season.
Airshow co-chairs Amanda Erechook and Bruce Tattrie said hosting the Snowbirds is an honour for the community. “Their presence elevates the event and gives northern Alberta a spectacular aviation experience that families and aviation fans will be talking about for years,” they stated.
