Yellowstone Air Show Tickets on Sale for 250th Anniversary

Blue Angels to perform at annual event celebrating 80 years as a team and 40 years flying Boeing aircraft

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Despite a bitter cold wind, a large crowd gathered at the Billings airport to greet two members of the Blue Angels flight crew as they did a flyover of Billings in a F-18. The flyover launched ticket sales for the Yellowstone Air Show, set for August 22 and 23. The air show follows a hugely successful event in 2023 and will be especially significant this year as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday.

Why it matters

The Yellowstone Air Show is a major annual event that draws tens of thousands of spectators to Billings. This year's show will be particularly noteworthy as it coincides with the nation's 250th anniversary, as well as significant milestones for the Blue Angels flight demonstration team.

The details

Planners for the air show are focused on making it especially significant this year. In addition to the nation's 250th birthday, 2026 marks the 80th anniversary of the Blue Angels being a team and their 40th year flying Boeing aircraft. The two Blue Angels pilots who visited Billings, Lt. Ronny Hafeza and Cdr. Lilly Montana, answered questions from a group of students interested in aviation. Ticket sales will be limited by available parking, with general admission starting at $10 for kids and $55 for adults. The event depends on local volunteers, with 300-400 needed on the two performance days.

  • The Yellowstone Air Show is set for August 22 and 23, 2026.
  • The Blue Angels flyover of Billings launched ticket sales for the air show.

The players

Blue Angels

The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, with six Navy and one Marine Corps pilots, flying Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules aircraft.

Lt. Ronny Hafeza

A member of the Blue Angels flight crew who participated in the flyover of Billings.

Cdr. Lilly Montana

A member of the Blue Angels flight crew who participated in the flyover of Billings.

Ben Flanagan

The Air Show Superintendent, overseeing the physical arrangement of the field.

Matthew McDonnell and Jake Penwell

The co-chairs of the Yellowstone Air Show planning committee.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Yellowstone Air Show committee is focused on making this year's event very special to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday. They have been researching and gathering ideas from other air shows to make the Yellowstone event bigger and better than ever.

The takeaway

The Yellowstone Air Show is a long-standing community event that has grown in popularity over the years, drawing tens of thousands of spectators. This year's show will be particularly noteworthy as it coincides with major milestones for the Blue Angels and the nation's 250th anniversary, promising an even more spectacular display of aviation prowess and community spirit.