(Photo by Bruce Rolfe)
The 2026 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival, taking place July 1st through the 5th at Battle Creek Executive Airport in Battle Creek, will bring five days of memorable events for the entire family.
Featuring one of the best civilian air show lineups and many amazing activities, this is an event you will not want to miss.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating America’s 250th birthday with the U.S. military and the best civilian air show acts in the country as well as some warbirds.
Fresh off of a Top 10 finish once again as one of the Best Air Shows in North America (according to USA Today 10 Best Voters), this year’s event promises to be a great time. The Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival is the nation’s largest combined Air Show & Balloon Festival, Michigan’s Largest Air Show, Michigan’s largest Balloon Festival, and Battle Creek’s largest event. The event is the largest and longest annual running 4th of July Air Show in the country according to event organizers.
The 2026 event will feature the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo Team. The F-35A is a 5th generation fighter.
Misty Blues All-Woman Skydiving Team, Northern Starts Aeroteam from Canada, NextGen Eagles, the comedic Franklin’s Flying Circus, Bob Carlton’s Twinjet Sailplane, the Jack Aces P-51/TF-51 Mustang Aerobatic Team, and many more will be part of the air show lineup.
There will also be Firewalkers International Pyro including the Wall of Fire as well as one of the nation’s largest Twilight & Night Air Shows.
A civilian air show will be held Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m.; the July 3 air show will begin at 11:30 a.m.; the July 4 air show will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the July 5 air show will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also part of the air show entertainment will be MQ-9 Reaper on static display.
There will be five days full of entertainment including:
—Daily Hot-Air Balloon Launches.
—Fireworks (July 1st & 4th).
—Skerbeck Entertainment Group Carnival.
—Drone Show “Starlight Spectacular” produced by Great Lakes Drone Company/Starlight Aerial Productions along with Redline Airshows participating. Sponsored by DENSO.
—Flippenout World Class Athlete Extreme Trampoline Show (presented by Oaklawn Hospital).
—Field of Rock Concerts presented by FireKeepers Casino.
—Balloon Illumes presented by KALSEE Credit Union
—Kid’s Day Giveaways on July 1st.
—Best Air Show Food.
—Arts & Crafts, Specialty Booths, Novelty Vendors and more.
—Interactive Displays.
—Battle Creek Half-Marathon & 5K.
And much more.
Featuring one of the best civilian air show lineups and many amazing activities, this is an event you will not want to miss.
This is a once-in-a-lifetime event celebrating America’s 250th birthday with the U.S. military and the best civilian air show acts in the country as well as some warbirds.
Fresh off of a Top 10 finish once again as one of the Best Air Shows in North America (according to USA Today 10 Best Voters), this year’s event promises to be a great time. The Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show and Balloon Festival is the nation’s largest combined Air Show & Balloon Festival, Michigan’s Largest Air Show, Michigan’s largest Balloon Festival, and Battle Creek’s largest event. The event is the largest and longest annual running 4th of July Air Show in the country according to event organizers.
The 2026 event will feature the U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II Demo Team. The F-35A is a 5th generation fighter.
Misty Blues All-Woman Skydiving Team, Northern Starts Aeroteam from Canada, NextGen Eagles, the comedic Franklin’s Flying Circus, Bob Carlton’s Twinjet Sailplane, the Jack Aces P-51/TF-51 Mustang Aerobatic Team, and many more will be part of the air show lineup.
There will also be Firewalkers International Pyro including the Wall of Fire as well as one of the nation’s largest Twilight & Night Air Shows.
A civilian air show will be held Thursday, July 2, at 2 p.m.; the July 3 air show will begin at 11:30 a.m.; the July 4 air show will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and the July 5 air show will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also part of the air show entertainment will be MQ-9 Reaper on static display.
There will be five days full of entertainment including:
—Daily Hot-Air Balloon Launches.
—Fireworks (July 1st & 4th).
—Skerbeck Entertainment Group Carnival.
—Drone Show “Starlight Spectacular” produced by Great Lakes Drone Company/Starlight Aerial Productions along with Redline Airshows participating. Sponsored by DENSO.
—Flippenout World Class Athlete Extreme Trampoline Show (presented by Oaklawn Hospital).
—Field of Rock Concerts presented by FireKeepers Casino.
—Balloon Illumes presented by KALSEE Credit Union
—Kid’s Day Giveaways on July 1st.
—Best Air Show Food.
—Arts & Crafts, Specialty Booths, Novelty Vendors and more.
—Interactive Displays.
—Battle Creek Half-Marathon & 5K.
And much more.
2026 Air Show Lineup
Four days of Air Show Action (July 2 – July 5) during the 2026 Battle Creek Field of Flight Air Show & Balloon Festival.
F-35A Lightning II Demo Team
Jack Aces P/TF-51 Mustang 3-Ship Team
Northern Stars Aeroteam (3-Ship Pitts)
Ken & Austin Rieder Redline Airshows Vans RV-8
NexGen Eagles
Bob Carlton “Vertigo Airshows” Foxjet Twin Jet Sailplane
Mini Jet Airshows featuring Tom Larkin in the SubSonex Microjet
Misty Blues All-Woman Skydiving Team
Susan Dacy “Big Red”
Mike Hartman Airshows in the North American Navion
Kevin Coleman in The Extra 300SHP
Kevin Coleman in the Beechcraft F33C Bonanza
Skip Stewart in the Pitts Muscle Biplane “Prometheus”
Adam Baker Airshows in the JET360 Extra 330
Aarron Deliu in The Extra 330 (July 2nd, 3rd & 4th)
Kyle Franklin’s Flying Circus
Erik Edgren in the Clipped Wing Taylorcraft
Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Shows feat. Hayden Proffitt II in the Hot Streak II Jet Truck
Firewalkers International Pyro “Feel the Heat”
Announcer Phil Dacy
Nation’s Third Largest Twilight & Night Air Show
AirBoss Ryan Seiler
Assistant AirBoss Ken Glidden
**In memory of aerobatic legend Rob Holland**
Hot-Air Balloons
Morning and Evening Flights Plus 2 Balloon Illumes Sponsored by Kalsee Credit Union July 1 and 2 at 9:15 p.m.
As dusk falls over Battle Creek Executive Airport, some magical illuminations begin. During the Balloon Illumes the launch field will be lit up with the glowing burners of over 20 Hot-Air Balloons. This “picture-perfect” site, is something that you won’t want to miss and will become one of your favorite family memories forever.
The Balloon Illumes also incorporate some audience participation. Audiences will be asked to say “Twinkle” or “Light ‘Em Up.” When they say “Twinkle,” the pilots will light their burners in spurts, causing them to twinkle. When they say “Light Em Up,” the flame will stay lit and the grounds will light up. The “Balloon Illumes” are a fan-favorite part of the Field of Flight, year after year. There will be two Balloon Illumes during the event.
Firework Shows
Two firework displays will be sponsored in part by Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
The fireworks feature displays with booms from Ace Pyro LLC who produce some of the largest shows in Michigan. The fireworks displays are one of the most popular features of the event, and this year’s displays will take place on Wednesday, July 1, at 10:30 p.m. (dusk) and Saturday, July 4, at 10:30 p.m. (dusk).
Over the years, the fireworks display has become a major draw itself. The fireworks displays will each be over 15 minutes long (one of the largest in the State of Michigan) and will feature a low show and a high show and will be choreographed to patriotic music along with some pop, rock & country. The fireworks shows will also add some extra booms with Firewalkers International Pyro also lighting up the airfield.
Carnival
Skerbeck Entertainment Group Inc. will return as the midway provider for Battle Creek’s premier annual festival. The carnival will have an array of rides, food and games for everyone.
Pre-Sale Redemption Instructions
Show an e-tic barcode at the carnival redemption booth. Wristbands can be purchased onsite at our ticket boxes, cash only onsite. ATMs available.
Purchase carnival tickets online at https://innovativeticketing.com and click on shop for tickets link. Then scroll down to Battle Creek Field of Flight link.
F-35A Lightning II Demo Team
Jack Aces P/TF-51 Mustang 3-Ship Team
Northern Stars Aeroteam (3-Ship Pitts)
Ken & Austin Rieder Redline Airshows Vans RV-8
NexGen Eagles
Bob Carlton “Vertigo Airshows” Foxjet Twin Jet Sailplane
Mini Jet Airshows featuring Tom Larkin in the SubSonex Microjet
Misty Blues All-Woman Skydiving Team
Susan Dacy “Big Red”
Mike Hartman Airshows in the North American Navion
Kevin Coleman in The Extra 300SHP
Kevin Coleman in the Beechcraft F33C Bonanza
Skip Stewart in the Pitts Muscle Biplane “Prometheus”
Adam Baker Airshows in the JET360 Extra 330
Aarron Deliu in The Extra 330 (July 2nd, 3rd & 4th)
Kyle Franklin’s Flying Circus
Erik Edgren in the Clipped Wing Taylorcraft
Smoke-n-Thunder Jet Shows feat. Hayden Proffitt II in the Hot Streak II Jet Truck
Firewalkers International Pyro “Feel the Heat”
Announcer Phil Dacy
Nation’s Third Largest Twilight & Night Air Show
AirBoss Ryan Seiler
Assistant AirBoss Ken Glidden
**In memory of aerobatic legend Rob Holland**
Hot-Air Balloons
Morning and Evening Flights Plus 2 Balloon Illumes Sponsored by Kalsee Credit Union July 1 and 2 at 9:15 p.m.
As dusk falls over Battle Creek Executive Airport, some magical illuminations begin. During the Balloon Illumes the launch field will be lit up with the glowing burners of over 20 Hot-Air Balloons. This “picture-perfect” site, is something that you won’t want to miss and will become one of your favorite family memories forever.
The Balloon Illumes also incorporate some audience participation. Audiences will be asked to say “Twinkle” or “Light ‘Em Up.” When they say “Twinkle,” the pilots will light their burners in spurts, causing them to twinkle. When they say “Light Em Up,” the flame will stay lit and the grounds will light up. The “Balloon Illumes” are a fan-favorite part of the Field of Flight, year after year. There will be two Balloon Illumes during the event.
Firework Shows
Two firework displays will be sponsored in part by Bronson Battle Creek Hospital.
The fireworks feature displays with booms from Ace Pyro LLC who produce some of the largest shows in Michigan. The fireworks displays are one of the most popular features of the event, and this year’s displays will take place on Wednesday, July 1, at 10:30 p.m. (dusk) and Saturday, July 4, at 10:30 p.m. (dusk).
Over the years, the fireworks display has become a major draw itself. The fireworks displays will each be over 15 minutes long (one of the largest in the State of Michigan) and will feature a low show and a high show and will be choreographed to patriotic music along with some pop, rock & country. The fireworks shows will also add some extra booms with Firewalkers International Pyro also lighting up the airfield.
Carnival
Skerbeck Entertainment Group Inc. will return as the midway provider for Battle Creek’s premier annual festival. The carnival will have an array of rides, food and games for everyone.
Pre-Sale Redemption Instructions
Show an e-tic barcode at the carnival redemption booth. Wristbands can be purchased onsite at our ticket boxes, cash only onsite. ATMs available.
Purchase carnival tickets online at https://innovativeticketing.com and click on shop for tickets link. Then scroll down to Battle Creek Field of Flight link.
Festival schedule
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
Hours: 4 PM - 11 PM
Parking: $5 | Admission: $5
4 PM: Parking & event grounds open. All vendors open Skerbeck Carnival open (All day wristband $30)Hours: 4 PM - 11 PM
Parking: $5 | Admission: $5
Meijer presents KIDS DAY. Free Gift Bag for the first 800 kids; Plus register to win bikes (one boy and one girl)
6:30 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
7 PM: Hot-Air “Balloon Launch” or “Fly-In”
7:30 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with The American Ride Toby Keith Tribute
9 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
9:15 PM: Kalsee Credit Union presents the mesmerizing Hot-Air Balloon Illume. Spectators will be permitted to go out on the field with the balloons during the Illume
9:45 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with The American Ride Toby Keith Tribute
10 PM: Smoke-n-Thunder Hot Streak II Jet Truck Night Run with Hayden Proffitt Il
10:30 PM: Fireworks Galore by ACE Pyro Firework
11 PM: Event grounds close
THURSDAY, JULY 2
Hours: 2 PM - 11 PM
Parking: $5 | Admission: $10
2 PM: CIVILIAN AIR SHOW feat. Ken & Austin Rieder (Redline RV-8s); Kyle Franklin’s Flying Circus (Super Cub); Bob Carlton (Fox Jet dual jet-powered sailplane); Skip Stewart (Prometheus/Modified Pitts); Adam Baker (Extra 330LX); Jack Aces — Louis Horschel, Ariel Luedi & former Canadian Snowbird Marco Rusconi (TF/P-51s); NextGenEagles featuring Leland Kracher, Stevenn Covington & Eric Tucker (Christian Eagles); Hayden Proffitt II (Hot Streak II Jet Truck); Susan Dacy (Super Stearman “Big Red”); Northern Stars - Todd Farrell, Mario Hamel & Greg Hume-Powell (Pitts); Tom Larkin (SubSonex Mini Jet); Kevin Coleman (Extra 300SHP & F33C Bonanza); Aarron
Deliu (Extra 330); Mike Hartman (1947 North American Navion); Erik Edgren (T-Clips); The Misty Blues All-Women Parachute Team; Rick Myers Firewalkers International Pyro; and announcer Phil Dacy.
See on display MQ-9 Reaper (drone) on display.
6:30 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
7 PM: Hot-Air “Balloon Launch” or “Fly-In”
7:30 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with Tyler Roy Band
9 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
9:15 PM: Kalsee Credit Union presents the Hot-Air Balloon Illume
9:15 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with Tyler Roy Band
10 PM: Smoke-n-Thunder Hot Streak Il Jet Truck Night Run 5a7 with Hayden Proffitt Il
10:15 PM: DENSO presents “Starlight Spectacular” Drone Show accompanied by Redline Airshows Night Act
11 PM: Event grounds close
FRIDAY, JULY 3
Hours: 9 AM - 11 PM
Parking: $5 | Admission: $15
10 AM: All vendors open.
10:30 AM: Skerbeck Carnival open (All day wristband $40)
10:30 AM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
11:30 AM: AIR SHOW Featuring the US Air Force F-35A Demonstration leam & amazing civilian lineup from hursday, July 2. See the MO-9 Reaper (drone) on display
6 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with the Megan Rae Band
7 PM: Hot-Air “Balloon Launch” or “Fly-In”
7:30 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
8 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with the Megan Rae Band
8 PM: Twilight Air Show followed by the Night Air Show with PYRO, Smoke-n-Thunder Hot Streak II Jet Truck, several performers with fireworks and special effects
11 PM: Event grounds close
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Hours: 9 AM - 11:00 PM
10 AM: All vendors open
10:30 AM: Skerbeck Carnival open (All day wristbands $40)
10:30 AM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
11-6 PM: AIR SHOW Featuring USAF F-35 & amazing civilan lineup from Thurs, July 2. See the MQ-9 Reaper (drone) on display
6 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
7 PM: Parade of the Balloons (Spectators will vote for their favorite)
7-8 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with “The Insiders” A Tribute to Tom Petty
7 PM: Hot-Air “Balloon Launch” or “Fly-In”
8 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
9:30 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with “The Inside” A Tribute to Tom Petty
10 PM: Smoke-n-Thunder Hot Streak II Jet Truck Night Run with Hayden Proffitt Il
10:30 PM: Fireworks Galore by ACE Pyro Firework, plan to celebrate
11 PM: Event grounds close
SUNDAY, JULY 5
Hours: 9 AM - 9:30 PM
Parking: $5 | Admission: $15 ($5 after 3pm)
MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY
All Military, and 1 guest, with proof of service, receive FREE admission all dayBrought to us by FORD Blue Oval Battery Park Michigan
7 AM: Cereal City 1/2 Marathon and 5K
9 AM: Parking & event grounds open
10 AM: All vendors open
10:30 AM: Skerbeck Carnival (All day wristband $35)
10:30 AM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
11-6 PM: AIR SHOW USAF F-35 & amazing lineup from Thurs, July 2. (No performance from Aaron Deliu. MQ-9 Reaper on display
3 PM: Price Reduction for Admission to $5.00 per person
4 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
6-7:30 PM: FireKeeper’s Casino presents Field of Rock with The Air Force “Roots in Blues”
7 PM: Hot-Air “Balloon Launch” or “Fly-In”
7 PM: Oaklawn Hospital presents Flippenout trampoline show
9:30 PM: Event grounds close at her alma mater
