The Pikes Peak Regional Airshow returns to Colorado Springs on September 19 and 20, and with two weeks to go, families have just enough time to plan before tickets sell out. This year's lineup includes the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II demo team and the U.S. Navy F-18 Hornet demo team — two of the most sought-after military aviation acts on the national airshow circuit — along with vintage aircraft and parachute demonstrations. All proceeds benefit three local museums.

A Hometown Show with a Local Mission

What makes the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow distinct from other aviation events is where the proceeds go. All ticket revenue is distributed to three local institutions: the National Museum of World War II Aviation, the Peterson Air and Space Museum, and the 4th Infantry Division Museum. These are Colorado Springs museums with genuine collections, not fundraising placeholders.

For families who attend the airshow and then want to extend the day into something more educational, the National Museum of World War II Aviation is located at Meadow Lake Airport and has a collection of flyable WWII aircraft. Peterson Air and Space Museum is on Peterson Space Force Base and covers the history of Space Command and the Air Force in COS. Both are worth a visit on their own, and the airshow proceeds help keep them operational.

Why Colorado Springs Turns Out for This

COS has one of the largest military communities in the country. Fort Carson, Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, NORAD/USNORTHCOM, and the Air Force Academy all operate in or around the city. For many families in the area, military aviation isn't an abstract concept — it's a career, a family history, or a daily backdrop. The airshow draws a crowd that's genuinely invested in what's on the flight line, not just there for the spectacle.

The F-35A demo team in particular carries local significance. The Air Force Academy and Peterson SFB have close ties to the F-35A program, and several Academy graduates have gone on to fly the aircraft operationally. Families connected to those programs tend to show up.

Tickets and Planning

Tickets are available at pprairshow.org. The airshow typically sells out as the date approaches, and September 19 is two weeks away — close enough that waiting is a risk. General admission and VIP options are typically available, with pricing that varies by seating area and whether families want access to the flight line or static displays.

September weather in COS is variable. The average high is in the mid-70s, but afternoon temperatures at Peterson — which is on the east side of the city and tends to be drier than downtown — can feel hotter on the ramp with no shade. Families with young kids should plan for full sun, bring sunscreen and water, and have a backup plan if weather looks dicey the morning of. Both days of the show are expected to run independently, so a weather cancellation on Saturday doesn't necessarily affect Sunday.

What's Next

Head to pprairshow.org to see the full schedule and purchase tickets before they're gone. If your family has never been to a military airshow, this one is a good starting point — the lineup is strong, the proceeds stay local, and the setting at Peterson SFB gives the event a sense of place that civilian airfields don't always have. Mark September 19 and 20 on the calendar now.