For over 70 years the coastal crowds have enjoyed seeing the Blue Angels, Fat Albert and other aircraft fly over the Pensacola Beach. The annual airshow is now a mecca for aircraft enthusiast, military supporters and tens of thousands of tourist.

 Pensacola’s hometown U.S. Navy Blue Angels will once again roar over Pensacola Beach this weekend, headlining the annual Pensacola Beach Air Show on Saturday, July 12. A full dress rehearsal show is scheduled for Friday, July 11, giving fans two chances to see the action. The four-day “Red, White and Blues” event kicked off earlier in the week and is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the barrier island. Below is everything you need to know – from schedules and traffic to what to bring – if you plan to join the crowds for this beloved summer spectacle.

Schedule of Events

Air Show Week Schedule: The Pensacola Beach Air Show spans Wednesday through Saturday, with the main events on Friday and Saturday. Highlights include multiple practice sessions and the official air show. (All times are weather permitting.)

• Wednesday, July 9 – “Breakfast with the Blues”: Around 7:30 a.m., the Blue Angels arrived and circled overhead to mark the show’s flight path. (This opening flyover has already taken place.)
  
  
• Thursday, July 10 – Practice Flight: At 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, the Blue Angels were slated to perform a full over-water practice session. (If you’re reading this Thursday morning, there’s an opportunity to catch the Blues in action this afternoon.)
  
  
• Friday, July 11 – Full Dress Rehearsal: 10:30 a.m. – A complete rehearsal air show kicks off with pre-show aerobatic demonstrations by civilian performers and military aircraft. Expect to see vintage WWII-era planes, stunt flyers, and military helicopter and Coast Guard rescue demos overhead. 2:00 p.m. – The Blue Angels take flight to perform their entire high-flying demonstration as the finale of the day.
  
  
• Saturday, July 12 – Official Air Show: The headline event follows the same timeline as Friday. Pre-show acts begin about 10:30 a.m., featuring an encore of Friday’s thrilling aerobatic lineup. At 2:00 p.m., the Blue Angels will thunder across the sky over Pensacola Beach, showcasing a roughly 45-minute performance of their signature formations and maneuvers. Look to the Gulf horizon for the team’s C-130J “Fat Albert” support plane and six iconic blue-and-gold F/A-18 Super Hornets slicing through the air in formation to cap off the show.
  
  

Both Friday’s rehearsal and Saturday’s show will have the same performers and schedule, so attendees on either day will get the full experience. Air show announcer Luke Carrico is making his debut as the “voice of the show” over the public address, joining long-time Air Boss Paul Entrekin who oversees the flight operations. Each day’s events officially begin once the airspace closes at 11:40 a.m., after which lifeguards will clear spectators from the Gulf waters for safety. Once that happens – hold onto your hats – the high-flying action is set to begin!

Featured Acts: In addition to the Blue Angels, the air show lineup boasts various aerobatic and military displays to keep the crowd entertained from late morning into the afternoon. Fans can watch the USAF B-1B Lancer bomber make thunderous passes, the Red Bull Air Force jumpers parachute in with the American flag, precision formation flying by teams like Redline Aerobatics, and the vintage WWII-era Titan T-6 Texans. Plus, stunt pilots such as Kevin Coleman and Aaron Fitzgerald perform jaw-dropping maneuvers in their aerobatic planes. By the time the Blue Angels arrive for the finale, spectators will have witnessed a full day of thrilling aviation demonstrations spanning from historic warbirds to cutting-edge jets.

Arrive Early: Traffic, Parking, and Boating

With massive crowds expected, plan to head out early and pack plenty of patience. “We have a lot of people going to a very small island, and it’s going to take a little bit of time for that to occur,” cautions Escambia County Emergency Management Director John Dosh. Local officials anticipate heavy traffic congestion heading into Pensacola Beach, and Dosh recommends leaving as early as possible to avoid getting stuck in gridlock. In past years, upwards of 100,000 people have attended over the air show weekend, so every road onto the island (and even the waterways) will be busy.

Parking: The main public lot at Casino Beach (the heart of the show area, near the Pensacola Beach Gulf Pier) typically fills up before mid-morning on show days. Once that large lot is full, law enforcement will direct drivers to overflow parking areas at Park East or Park West along the island. Be prepared for a long walk if you park in an outlying lot, or better yet take advantage of the free beach trolleys. Trolleys will be running extended hours on both Friday and Saturday to shuttle spectators between parking areas (and island hotels/condos) and the core Casino Beach show site. Keep in mind that illegally parked cars will be towed – if you park in a no-parking zone or block traffic, expect your vehicle to be relocated to an impound yard by authorities.

Bridges and Boats: The only roadway access to Pensacola Beach is via two bridges – expect slow-going traffic on Highway 399 (via Gulf Breeze) especially during the peak arrival hours early in the morning and again after the show. Give yourself plenty of extra travel time and “go with the flow” – getting upset won’t make the cars move any faster, so just embrace the journey. Alternatively, to avoid traffic altogether, consider arriving by boat. Lots of locals and visitors watch the show from boats anchored just off the beach. Boaters often stake out spots in the calm waters of Little Sabine Bay or the Santa Rosa Sound, lounging on sandbars while jets streak overhead. This on-the-water option can offer a unique perspective and skip the bridge traffic (just be sure to anchor early, as the best spots fill up on the water too!). Another traffic-free option is the Pensacola Bay Ferry, which on event days runs service from downtown Pensacola to Quietwater Beach on Pensacola Beach. Taking the ferry can significantly cut down on driving and parking hassles and is “a great way to avoid the traffic,” according to Dosh.

After the Show: One pro tip – don’t be in a rush to leave immediately when the show ends. Many people pack up the instant the Blue Angels finish, only to sit in stop-and-go traffic leaving the island. Instead, consider staying put for a while to let the congestion ease. You could grab dinner or a cold drink at a local beach restaurant, stroll the boardwalk, or enjoy live music at a beachfront venue while the crowds thin out. Patience pays off here; by giving it an extra hour or two, you’ll likely have a much smoother trip back home.

What to Bring and Know Before You Go

Plan to make a day of it – the air show is an hours-long event under the summer sun, so come prepared. Pack a beach bag with all the essentials: plenty of water (to stay hydrated in the heat), snacks, sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses, plus beach towels or chairs. Don’t forget an umbrella or shade tent (and maybe a lightweight rain jacket) – you’ll want shelter from the sun, and these could be helpful if a rain shower pops up. It’s a good idea to bring cash as well, in case you want to buy food or souvenirs from vendors on the sand.

Rules and Restrictions: A few important rules are in place to keep the event safe and enjoyable for all:

• No Drones or Kites: Personal drones are strictly prohibited during the air show. In fact, show officials warn they will halt the performances if any drones are spotted in the area. The same goes for kites or any unauthorized aircraft. Leave these at home – the only things in the sky should be the Blue Angels and company!
  
  
• No Glass: Glass bottles or containers are not allowed on the beach for safety reasons. Use plastic or cans for any beverages.
  
  
• Pets: Plan to leave pets at home. Dogs are only permitted in designated dog beach areas (well away from the show center) and must be leashed at all times. The crowded, loud environment is generally not suitable for pets.
  
  
• Tents and Gear: Small tents and canopies are allowed on the beach, but be mindful not to block others’ views. You’ll be neighboring thousands of fellow air show fans, so a spirit of courtesy is appreciated. Also, please fill in any holes you dig in the sand and collect your trash. Organizers echo the familiar local mantra: “Leave Only Your Footprints” on the beach when you depart.
  
  

Weather Outlook

Keep one eye on the sky – and not just for jets. The weather forecast for Pensacola Beach this weekend is a bit unsettled, which is typical for a Gulf Coast July. Friday’s forecast calls for about a 60% chance of rain (scattered showers or thunderstorms) during the day, and Saturday has roughly a 40% chance of rain. This means there could be periods of sunshine mixed with pop-up storms. Air show officials will monitor weather closely; the Blue Angels and other performers can fly in light rain, but thunderstorms or low clouds could delay or modify the show for safety. The team will adjust with a “high show” or “low show” routine depending on cloud cover or hold off during any lightning in the area. In short, be prepared for possible weather delays. If storms do roll through, often they are brief summer downpours that pass quickly.

For spectators, it’s wise to come prepared for heat and rain alike. Dress for hot, humid conditions (light clothing, hats, sunscreen), but also bring that umbrella or poncho we mentioned, just in case a rain shower sneaks up. The good news is that even with some rain in the forecast, plenty of blue sky time is still likely. And if the weather cooperates fully, the show will go on with the Blues taking to the skies at 2 p.m. sharp (weather permitting).

In summary, the Pensacola Beach Air Show is a must-see summer tradition that promises thrilling aerial acrobatics over the emerald-green Gulf waters. Whether you watch from the sand, a boat, or online, you’re in for an unforgettable display of precision and power. Plan ahead, arrive early, stay safe, and enjoy the show – and above all, get ready to hear the roar of those jets as the Blue Angels streak overhead in a patriotic salute to the Pensacola community and the nation’s military aviators.