5.08.2026
Early details are emerging about NASA's upcoming high-profile air show in November at Kennedy Space Center, which will celebrate America's 250th birthday and may feature the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds soaring above Florida's Space Coast.
NASA officials have yet to announce full details, and the agency has scheduled a press conference on Aug. 14 at KSC. But last month, Space Coast Office of Tourism Executive Director Peter Cranis said the "Salute to America 250 Air Show" will take place at KSC's Launch and Landing Facility — and "we've already had rooms booked by NASA officials in a pretty large quantity."
"We've been told it's going to be one of the biggest air shows ever," Cranis said during the Brevard County Tourist Development Council's July 22 meeting at the Government Center in Viera.
Here's what we know: The Thunderbirds' updated 2026 season schedule, posted on Facebook and Instagram, now features a show on Nov. 7-8 at KSC.
"There was an email that came out a couple months ago that said, 'We need 8,000 rooms in the area.' And it's this whole week," Wayne Soard, TDC member and general manager of Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Center, said during the July 22 discussion.
"The federal government's celebrating the 250 in different times of year, and NASA's doing it this particular week for that time of year. So this is part of that fanfare," Soard said.
During the meeting, the TDC board voted to recommend adding NASA's air show — which had been previously subject to a nondisclosure agreement — to the organization's marketing support program to the tune of $45,000. The Brevard County Commission is expected to vote on this program of cultural events in September.
Looking ahead, NASA will conduct the Aug. 14 press conference at KSC inside the Reusable Launch Vehicle Hangar at the Space Florida-managed LLF, which is the former shuttle landing strip.
According to a NASA press release, this press conference "will preview a new event at NASA Kennedy later this year tied to America’s 250th anniversary, showcasing American leadership in aviation, space exploration, and emerging technologies while bringing together the public, industry leaders, innovators, and the next generation of explorers."
Participants will include NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, members of Congress and NASA officials, and the agency is inviting media and digital creators.
Cranis said the air show organizer is Bryan Lilley, who put together the Air Dot Show Cocoa Beach in April featuring the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, Air Force F-16 Viper Demonstration Team and a B-52 Stratofortress bomber.
Lilley's company, Air Dot Show, organized the Salute to America 250 air show on July 4 at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
During the July 22 TDC meeting, Titusville Mayor Andrew Connors said his city is working on traffic plans for the KSC air show.
"The amount of, let's say, dignitaries coming in for this is just beyond compare," Connors said.
Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina, another TDC member, called the air show "an outstanding opportunity to showboat our county and our nation."
Lilley's company is also organizing Air Dot Show Orlando, which is set for Sept. 26-27 at Orlando Sanford International Airport. Aerial headliners include the Air Force F-22 Raptor Demo Team and Navy F/A-18F Rhino Demo Team.
Quelle: Florida Today