The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will be the main attraction of this weekend’s annual Air Dot Show Cocoa Beach, enthralling aviation enthusiasts of all ages during a special celebration of America’s 250th birthday.
The show’s center is at Lori Wilson Park with demonstrations April 11-12, though viewing is possible throughout the two-mile-wide aerobatic box that spans from Cocoa Beach Pier to Minutemen Causeway. Other high-flying aerial performers include the F-16 Viper Demo Team, the B-52 Stratofortress, SOCOM Para-Commandos and the P-51 Mustang Demo.
This weekend marks the first time in five years the Blue Angels have soared over Florida’s Space Coast and represents a special anniversary: 45 years since the NASA launched Space Shuttle Columbia for the first time on April 12, 1981.
“This is a special moment for our country and for Florida’s Space Coast,” said Bryan Lilley, CEO of the Air Dot Show Tour, in a news release. “Welcoming the Blue Angels to Cocoa Beach for the very first time as part of America’s 250th anniversary creates an unforgettable backdrop to celebrate our nation, our military, and our shared history.”
The show includes a display of combat search and rescue with para-rescue jumpers and mid-air refueling demonstrations from the 920th Rescue Wing — which hails from Patrick Space Force Base in Melbourne — and stunt flying from Cocoa Beach-based pilot John Black. Attendees can also enjoy historical demonstrations from a B-25J World War II bomber “Panchito” and the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight.
Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels demonstration squadron arrives at the Orlando Melbourne International Airport before The Great Florida Air Show in 2021. The team is set to headline the Air Dot Show Cocoa Beach April 11-12. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
The Cocoa Beach show represents the first of eight seven on the Air Dot Show 2026 tour. The travels to Fort Lauderdale, Central Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and finally Atlanta following an Orlando Sanford International Airport stop in late September.
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If you go
The Cocoa Beach Air Show opens its gates at 9 a.m. with the Flight Line Club beach area opening at 10 a.m. on April 11-12 near Lori Wilson Park, 1500 N. Atlantic Ave. in Cocoa Beach. The aerial portion of the show runs from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each day. Beachgoers may see performers practicing on the days leading up to the show. Tickets range from $37.50-$199. Coolers with food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed into the show as well as chairs and beach umbrellas, but pets are prohibited. For more information about parking, what to bring and tickets, visit air.show.