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Most air shows wind down as the light goes. The Stuart Air Show starts its weekend at sunset. On Friday 13 November 2026, Witham Field in Stuart, Florida, hosts a twilight and night air show with illuminated aircraft, ending in a fireworks and drone show finale. Full daytime shows follow on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 November, headlined by the US Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.
This guide covers what is confirmed for the 2026 night show and the weekend, the gate times, what you can and cannot bring, and how to plan your evening so you see the best of the show from a good spot.
Stuart Air Show 2026 at a glance
| Dates | Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026 |
| Venue | Witham Field (KSUA), 1895 Flying Fortress Lane, Stuart, FL 34996 |
| Friday night show | Gates 4:00 pm, flying from about 5:00 pm, gates close 10:00 pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | Gates 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, opening ceremony about 11:30 am |
| Headliner | USAF F-16 Viper Demonstration Team |
| Night show finale | Fireworks and drone show |
| Official site | stuartairshow.com |
Times come from the organiser’s official FAQ and can change, so check again in the week of the show.
The Friday night show: fireworks, drones and lit-up aircraft
Friday is the part of the weekend that makes Stuart different. The organisers describe it as a twilight and night air show. Flying starts in daylight, carries on through sunset, and moves to illuminated aircraft after dark. The night ends with a combined fireworks and drone show. It is a shorter outing than the full weekend days, and it suits families who would rather not spend a whole day in the Florida sun.
The show has not published a minute-by-minute Friday running order, or exactly which performers fly after dark. Treat the full performer list below as the weekend line-up, not a promise of who flies on Friday night.
Tips for the night show
- Arrive close to the 4:00 pm gate opening if you want a spot near the crowd line. Most people arrive for the evening, and the light fades quickly in mid-November.
- Bring a folding chair or blanket. General admission does not include seating.
- Pack a light layer. Evenings on an open airfield cool down faster than you expect, even in Florida.
- Fireworks and engines are loud. Ear protection for small children is specifically recommended by the show.
- For photos, a phone on night mode handles fireworks well. For lit-up aircraft moving fast, use the fastest shutter speed your camera allows and accept some grain.
Who is performing at the 2026 Stuart Air Show?
The 2026 line-up announced by the show includes:
- US Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team, the weekend headliner
- C-17 Globemaster III and KC-46 Pegasus appearances
- Red Bull Helicopter and the Red Bull Air Force
- NextGen Eagles, flying formation aerobatics in a pair of Christen Eagles
- Coleman Aerosports, with Kevin Coleman in his Extra 300
- Titan Aerobatic Team, flying three North American AT-6 Texans
- Jim Tobul’s F4U-4 Corsair
- Round Canopy Parachute Team with the historic C-47 “Tico Belle”
- GhostWriter Airshows, Kyle Fowler Aerosports and RJ Gritter Airshows
Sunday has a particular focus on honouring veterans, and the 2026 show ties in with America’s 250th anniversary. As with any air show, acts can change because of weather, maintenance or military commitments.
What to bring, and what to leave at home
Stuart has a fairly strict entry policy, so it is worth packing to it. From the official FAQ:
| Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|
| Lawn chairs and blankets | Coolers (except for medicine or infant needs) |
| Small umbrellas that fit in a bag | Large golf or shade umbrellas, pop-up tents |
| Clear bags up to 12″ x 6″ x 12″, one-gallon clear freezer bags, or small clutches | Outside food, water and alcohol |
| Cameras, large lenses and tripods (after bag check) | Personal drones |
| Strollers and diaper bags (hand-searched) | Pets (service dogs excepted), bikes, scooters, skateboards |
The show is cashless at gates, concessions and bars, and there are no ATMs on site. General admission parking is free, with trams running from the car parks to the gates. Re-entry is allowed with a hand stamp and your ticket stub. The show goes ahead rain or shine.
Useful kit for a night at Witham Field
A comfortable chair matters more than usual here, because you will be sitting through sunset and the full finale.
- OUTDOOR LIVING. Great for relaxing by the campfire or sideline, the Freestyle Rocker from GCI Outdoor is an adult rockin…
- A FRONT ROW SEAT. Perfect for sports games or backyard lawn BBQ, this rocker is ready for anything. With a built-in beve…
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For children, a pair of proper over-ear defenders is the single most useful thing to pack. A multi-pack covers siblings or a spare for a friend.
A small pair of binoculars helps with the static aircraft, the parachute team’s exit from the C-47 and the formation acts in daylight.
- Polyester Blend
- LIGHTWEIGHT, COMPACT DESIGN FOR EASY PORTABILITY – The Nikon ACULON A30 10×25 binoculars feature a sleek, lightweight bo…
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Our Amazon product boxes go to the US store (Amazon.com), so prices show in US dollars and can change at any time. If you are buying from outside the US, check delivery and import charges before you order.
Pilots and student pilots should take a look at our guide to aviation headsets under $500: a passive aviation headset makes a very good set of ear defenders at a show, too.
Tickets and avoiding scams
Tickets are sold digitally and can be scanned from your phone. Buy only through the official Stuart Air Show website. The organisers warn that impersonators have created fake events, groups and ticket offers on social media, and that stuartairshow.com is the only official source. Veterans, active duty personnel and their spouses can get a military ticket price with valid ID. Upgrade areas with seating are also available, and children may need their own upgrade ticket.
Flying in to Witham Field
Transient aircraft are welcome, but you need to arrive before the temporary flight restriction (TFR) becomes active, and you will not be able to leave until it ends. Call Stuart tower on approach and ask for “Air Show Transient Parking”, and the marshalling team will guide you in. Show tickets must be bought online in advance. If you park at an FBO instead, you will need to make your own way to the show. Check NOTAMs for the TFR times before you go, and read the FAA’s notice on 2026 military demonstration air shows for wider planning. Brushing up on how pilots talk to air traffic control before a busy show arrival is never wasted.
More autumn night shows and fireworks over airfields
If you love seeing aircraft after dark, Stuart is not the only option this autumn. These are all on the AviatorFinds events calendar:
- NAS Pensacola Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show, 6 and 7 November, the Blue Angels’ season finale (daytime show, free admission)
- Wings Over Houston Airshow, Ellington Airport, Houston, with the USAF Thunderbirds
- In the UK: IWM Duxford Fireworks Night on 5 November, with a recreation of the wartime FIDO fog-clearing flames
- Shuttleworth Fireworks Night at Old Warden on 7 November, with illuminated hangars and a Spitfire engine run
- Shuttleworth in Lights, a winter light trail through the Collection hangars on selected weekends from December into early January
For the rest of the season, see our guide to the best US airshows of 2026 and our round-up of the remaining Blue Angels and Thunderbirds dates, or browse the full AviatorFinds events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Stuart Air Show night show in 2026?
The twilight and night air show is on Friday 13 November 2026. Gates open at 4:00 pm, flying starts at about 5:00 pm, and the evening ends with a fireworks and drone show before gates close at 10:00 pm.
Is the F-16 Viper Demo flying at the Stuart Air Show?
Yes. The US Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team is announced as the headliner for the 2026 show. The organisers have not said which acts fly during the Friday night show, so if the F-16 is your priority, plan on Saturday or Sunday.
Can I bring a chair to the Stuart Air Show?
Yes. Lawn chairs and blankets are allowed and recommended, because general admission has no seating. Pop-up tents and large umbrellas are not allowed.
Is parking free at the Stuart Air Show?
General admission parking is free, and trams run from the parking areas to the gates. Remember where you parked, because the trams do not run to a fixed timetable.
Can I take food and water into the Stuart Air Show?
No. Outside food, water and alcohol are not permitted, apart from small amounts for infants or medical needs. Food and drink are sold on site, and payment is cashless.
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