What to know
- The Canadian International Air Show runs from Saturday, Sept. 5 to Monday, Sept. 7, from 12 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. each day. There is also a practice show on Friday, Sept. 4, during the same hours.
- The show can be viewed from several spots across Toronto, particularly along the waterfront, including Toronto Islands, Sunnyside Beach, Little Norway Park, Humber Bay Park, HTO Park, Colonel Samuel Smith Park, and the CNE.
- The Exclusive Air Show Zone is located at 1095 Lake Shore Blvd. Tickets include live narration and same-day admission to the CNE, with prices varying depending on the experience.
- The show may be modified or cancelled if conditions become unsafe, although mostly favourable weather is currently expected throughout the weekend.
- The lineup includes the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, along with historic aircraft such as the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane.
Get ready for some noise and aerial pirouettes outside this weekend, as the annual Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) comes back for its 77th edition.
For long-time Toronto residents, the CIAS has become an end-of-summer tradition during Labour Day weekend.
Every year, North America’s longest-running air show fills up the city’s skies with vintage and contemporary civilian and military aircraft for a spectacle of manoeuvre, loops, turns, and twirls. The tradition aims at showcasing the best of aviation and educating future generations about opportunities in the aerospace industry.
Whether you enjoy watching the show or aren’t a fan of the loud noises, here’s what you need to know ahead of this year’s performance.
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When is the air show?
The CIAS happens every year on Labour Day weekend. This year, the spectacle is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 5, Sunday, Sept. 6, and Monday, Sept. 7 from 12 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
However, if you hear jet noises on Friday, don’t be alarmed. The show also holds its practice on Friday, Sept. 4, before the real performance. This practice also happens between 12 p.m. to 3:40 p.m.
Where is the air show happening?
Although there are some exclusive areas dedicated to the show, which might come with its official narration and better visibility, it can be observed across the city.
According to the CIAS website, the Exclusive Air Show Zone is located at 1095 Lake Shore Blvd., right in front of the centre stage. By watching the show from this spot, spectators get access to a live narration of the event.
The Exclusive Air Show Zone is open to ticket holders between 10 a.m. and 3:40 p.m. every day that the show is happening. Tickets to enter the zone include same-day access to the CNE, and prices go from $107.99 to $4,502.99 depending on the kind of experience. Those in this zone can also see a pre-show Water Display from 11:30 a.m. to 11:59 a.m.
Tickets are available on the CIAS website.
Those attending the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) this weekend can also catch a view of the show, but should note that speakers won’t be playing the narration and they might catch only a side view of the manoeuvres.
In addition, there are several spots, especially across the city’s waterfront, where spectators can view the planes. Some of these include:
- Toronto Islands
- Sunnyside Beach
- Little Norway Park
- Humber Bay Park
- HTO Park
- Colonel Samuel Smith Park
Weather this weekend
According to the CIAS, the show can be modified in case of inclement weather, and could also be cancelled if conditions are unsafe. However, conditions appear to be clear for the most part this weekend.
Residents should expect increasing cloudiness on Friday, with a 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon, with a high of 26ºC and humidity making it feel like 31. There’s also a 30 per cent chance of showers at night, with a low of 16ºC.
Similar conditions are expected on Saturday, with sunny conditions early in the morning followed by a mix of sun and cloud and 30 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon, with a high of 25ºC and humidex of 30. Clear conditions with a low of 16ºC are expected at night.
The day should be sunny on Sunday, with a high of 24ºC, and clear skies at night with a low of 16ºC.
Also sunny on Labour Day Monday, with a high of 26ºC during the day and a low of 14ºC at night.
What aircrafts will be on the show?
One of the show’s most celebrated performers are the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, having been on the show since 1971 with the Canadair CT-114 Tutor. This is a nine-plane formation, including the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron within the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), which is known as one of the biggest units in the RCAF.
Said to be a legendary twin-engine military aircraft within the RCAF, the Beechcraft Expeditor (C-45 / Beech 18) will also be bringing its manoeuvres to the show. This aircraft was designed in 1936 and played a role during World War II and the Cold War era.
The 2026’s line is also welcoming back Dan Fortin, a Royal Canadian Air aviator, and his Nanchang CJ6, bringing decades of experience and unmatched expertise to the show.
The Vintage Wings of Canada is also joining this year’s performance, including an iconic World War II aircraft duo, its Flight Fighter Formation Team, and the incredible Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane.
The Jack Aces Formation Aerobatic Team will be joining the CIAS for the first time, bringing three restored P-51 Mustangs for an unmatched performance.
Pilot Mike Tryggvason is also returning to the show, offering his premier Canadian aerobatic experience to the spectacle while debuting the new Edge 540 V3 racer aircraft, with a top speed of 240 knots.
The RCAF’s CP-140 Aurora will also join the performance. This aircraft is known for providing vital maritime and overland surveillance in Canada, including participating in search and rescue missions.
Spectators will also see the Pink Jet in this year’s lineup. This aircraft comes from a nonprofit that aims to create breast cancer awareness through aviation and mobilize support for survivors and families.
Not only airplanes will be in this year’s show, with RCMP helicopter Black Hawk also becoming a part of the performance. This helicopter is responsible for border patrol missions and rapid-deployment across the country.
Other aircrafts to be displayed in the show include:
- American jet trainer T-33 Shooting Star
- Twin-engine aircraft McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
- Helicopter CH-146 Griffon from the 424 Squadron in Trenton, Ont.
- Redline Air Show, bringing their Van’s RV-8 formation and a series of incredible manoeuvres
- North American Harvard MK II from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA)
