San Diego Miramar Air Show 2026: Tips For Taking Children
The Miramar Airshow is coming to San Diego September 25-27, 2026! This year’s theme is Soaring Into America’s 250th, and it is the largest military air show in the country, filled with immersive experiences, static displays, and aerial shows both daring and quite silly. We go every year with our kids and I am here to help you navigate this amazing event.
Whether this is your first time or you’ve been many times before, hopefully, this helps you feel ready to take on this event with your family. If you have any aviation enthusiasts, this is a must!
- Here is what I will be covering
- 2026 Schedule of Events
- Where to park for The Miramar Airshow and how parking works.
- What ages can you bring to The Miramar Air Show and tips for safety with little kids
- Ideas for where to watch the Miramar Airshow with smaller kids if you’re nervous about the noise
- Do you need to buy tickets for The Miramar Air Show?
- Which day to go to the Miramar Airshow.
- What to bring (and NOT bring) to The Miramar Airshow.
- Where to find the full schedule of which planes are flying when.
- More Fall Reading
Here is what I will be covering
- 2026 Flying Schedule
- Where to park and how parking works.
- What ages can you bring to the air show and tips for safety with little kids?
- Ideas for where to watch with smaller kids if you’re nervous about the noise.
- Do you need to buy tickets?
- Which day to go to the Miramar Airshow.
- What to bring (and NOT to bring) on base.
- Where to find the full schedule of which planes are flying when.
2026 Schedule of Events
This is all from this link here! All are subject to change. The static displays are always there. We actually went at 9 am to see the static displays without any planes flying so our baby wouldn’t get too scared.
FRIDAY / SATURDAY / SUNDAY
Please note that times and dates are tentative and subject to change. The flying order is the same all three days.
| Time (Approx) | Performer |
| 8:00 AM | Flightline Gates Open to the Public |
| 10:00 AM | USMC MV-22 Osprey Demo |
| 10:14 AM | USN F-35C TAC Demo |
| 10:36 AM | USAF C-17 Globemaster TAC Demo |
| 10:51 AM | Welcoming Ceremonies including the USMC 3dMAW Marching Band, USMC Mounted Color Guard, and USSOCOM ParaCommandos |
| 11:10 AM | Emma McDonald Extra 330SC Aerobatics |
| 11:38 AM | USMC Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) Demo |
| 12:41 PM | USAF F-35A, USMC F-35B and USN F-35C |
| 12:58 PM | USAF F-35A TAC Demo plus P-51 Mustang Heritage Flight |
| 1:38 PM | Ed Hamill Folds of Honor Pitts S-2C |
| 1:52 PM | RAF Falcons Parachute Team |
| 2:09 PM | Vicky Benzing P-51D “Plum Crazy” Mustang Demo |
| 2:31 PM | USMC F-35B Lightning II Demo |
| 2:51 PM | USN Blue Angels |
| 4:21 PM | End of Aerial Demonstrations |
| 5:00 PM | Flightline Gates Close to the Public, End of Show |
Where to park for The Miramar Airshow and how parking works.
The event takes place on a real military base in the middle of San Diego. Good news, the parking here is EASY. Basically what happens is you get on base and military personnel show you to the closest parking lot. When you get out of the car they will direct you to a free shuttle, also driven by a friendly person who lives on base. Then you take the shuttle to the main air show. No parking pass or permit needed. The parking lots are all color coded, like Disneyland except it’s free and way cooler.
There are different gates to get in (north gate, west gate etc) but generally when you get to the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar they will have an idea of where they want you to park. There is free parking everywhere. The best views are from everywhere as the show is in the sky!
You might have to fold the stroller for the shuttle, but both times we went, three strong young men took my stroller from my hands and folded it for me while I calmly got the kids on board. Way better than Disneyland where everyone glares at you while you struggle with your stroller and your kids.
A few things that are new to know: public transportation does not service the event, and you cannot be dropped off at the flight line entrance before parking. Uber and Lyft ARE allowed, and pickup and drop-off happen at the McDonald’s parking lot on Mitscher Way and Elrod Avenue. Handicapped parking is first come, first served through the West or North gates off Miramar Road.
What ages can you bring to The Miramar Air Show and tips for safety with little kids
One year we brought a 3 year old and a 6 year old and I was pregnant with our third baby. All the walking at the air show actually put me into labor (I was past my due date)! So you can really take any age of kid. Just make sure to buy noise reducing ear protection for kids. The air show officially recommends it, especially for children. You can get them for a few bucks at Home Depot or Lowes or you can get nicer ones on Amazon, 2 for $10.
I’m not sure I would take a baby right up to the front row grandstands because I think they baby would be too scared. I would be ok taking a baby to one of the parks mentioned in the next section. You know your kid best. If you think the noise is too much you can always take them somewhere else on base or to one of the parks. My kids are REALLY into planes so they are ok with the noise because they were excited. If you’re worried, grab some blanket seating on base or at one of the nearby parks mentioned.
Ideas for where to watch the Miramar Airshow with smaller kids if you’re nervous about the noise
We brought headphones for our kiddos and watched from the regular place where you watch for one day. It wasn’t too bad for my 3 and 6 year old. The next day the line was too long to get into that area so we watched from the Denny’s on base. I ate a Moons Over My Hammy while watching The Blue Angels fly with my feet up and my kids ran around the grassy area. (NOTE: This Denny’s is now closed, but the grassy area is still a great spot to watch!). It wasn’t as loud and it was WAY less stressful. You could recreate this anywhere on base and have a great view. I also saw a McDonald’s and a few other restaurants.
If you want to watch off-base, try Mira Mesa Park, Miramar Overlook Park, Breen Park, Westview Park, Hourglass Park, or even just pulled over on the freeway has a great view. Note: I have not tried watching from all of these parks, we like to watch on base! If you go and find they have a bad view, please message me and I will remove them from the list. Thank you!
Do you need to buy tickets for The Miramar Air Show?
Nope, it’s free! Admission, parking, and blanket seating are all free with no ticket required. Blanket seating means the open paved areas on the east and west sides of the flight line where you can set up your own blanket or lawn chairs. You CAN buy preferred seating, but the planes fly in the air. So you get a great view whether you are sitting on hot bleachers or chilling on base or at a park somewhere.
If you do want seats, the paid options are grandstands, box seats, and several chalets. There is a Stars and Stripes Family Chalet built specifically for families, with shaded and outdoor seating, kid activities throughout the day, and complimentary soda and water. Prices are listed at checkout, here is where to buy tickets. Heads up for Friday: military discount pricing on preferred seating is extended to ALL attendees that day, not just military families.
One thing to know if you have littles: strollers and open umbrellas are not allowed inside the grandstand or box seating areas. There is designated stroller parking behind the grandstands. Bleachers with wiggly kids are the worst anyway, it’s hot and they want to move and I am always scared they will fall through!
Just note that everyone goes through the same security line no matter if they bought an expensive ticket or not. There was a guy next to us in the long security line throwing a toddler worthy tantrum about having to stand in line with us when he bought $250 tickets. So if you buy tickets, don’t think you can get there late and be fine. You might still miss the show!
The area around the grandstands is free to enter and has lots of cool static displays including vintage aircraft and dedicated family-friendly zones! Last year we even saw a MV-22 Osprey. So make sure to at least walk by and check that out.
Which day to go to the Miramar Airshow.
Go Friday if you can especially if you have young kids! I took my kids after school on Friday and we walked right in. No lines, easy peasy. We went on Saturday and it was PACKED and HOT. Even people who bought expensive seats were having trouble getting through security. If you do decide to go on Saturday or Sunday get there early to avoid the long security lines in the heat of the day. Or watch from one of the alternate locations.
The Blue Angels are on the schedule all three days. One note: the Navy’s own team schedule lists only Saturday and Sunday for Miramar, so if the Blue Angels are your whole reason for going, check the official schedule the week of. The Air Show website lists that they’re flying all three days.
If you get there Friday you might be there for the opening ceremonies when they sing the national anthem!
What to bring (and NOT bring) to The Miramar Airshow.
Bring your stroller because it’s a bit of a walk from the shuttle to the airshow entrance (about 1/2 mi). Wagons like radio flyers are allowed too, which is a lifesaver with little kids and all the gear. They have a clear bag policy so you will not be able to take in any not see-through bags. One large clear bag per person, or a gallon Ziploc plus a small clutch. Small 6×6 bags are allowed as diaper bags, and camera bags are fine.
ID rules are strict now, so read this part twice. Every attendee 18 and older must present a valid government-issued ID and you will not be allowed in without one. Any state issued ID works. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you need to present an actual valid passport (no photos or paper copies), and foreign nationals are biometrically enrolled at security and have to wear an issued air show ID all day.
Bring LOTS of water because it is hot, and snacks. Metal and plastic water bottles are both allowed. I would also bring hats, sunscreen, and comfortable lounge chairs. Beach folding chairs, lawn chairs, and stadium chairs are all fine. There is not a lot of shade, but sometimes you can find a shaded tent to sit underneath. When we went Friday they let us set up beach chairs next to the runway. I have heard that is not the case sometimes depending on the crowd level. The show goes on rain or shine.
They do not let you bring coolers, real or toy weapons (including pocket knives and multi-tools), animals other than service animals, alcohol, glass containers, tents, pop up canopies, pepper spray, drones, or laser pointers. New things to watch for: no tobacco or nicotine products of any kind on the flight line, including gum and patches, and no bikes, scooters, skateboards, or hoverboards. Hand umbrellas are allowed but not in the grandstands or box seating. Full list of allowed and banned items here.
Where to find the full schedule of which planes are flying when.
Here is the full schedule. The performances will be the same all three days. My kids have always loved the MAGTF demo, which is the one with the pyrotechnics and the simulated battlefield assault right on the crowd line, and of course The Blue Angels! The Blue Angels are the main draw if you aren’t familiar with air shows. They are AMAZING and worth seeing fly at least once in your life, and 2026 is their 80th year.
New for 2026: the RAF Falcons parachute team is coming, Emma McDonald is flying aerobatics in an Extra 330SC, and there is a flight with the USAF F-35A, USMC F-35B, and USN F-35C all together. Vicky Benzing is back in the P-51 Mustang and Ed Hamill is flying the Folds of Honor biplane.
They have both military demonstration teams and civilian aerobatic teams. Both are super fun to watch! My kids loved watching the fighter jets fly super fast over us. Make sure to grab a souvenir air show program on your way out!
