Canadian Snowbirds perform at California airshow void of U.S. military planes

The Pacific Airshow Huntington Beach is going ahead as scheduled, despite the U.S. government’s shutdown, thanks to international air performers including Canadian Snowbirds.

Kevin Elliott, the director of the Pacific Airshow, says while it was “disappointing” that the U.S. military planes couldn’t participate in this year’s event due to the government shutdown, the show will proceed.

The Snowbirds were scheduled to appear before the government shutdown began, but Elliott said if not for the international performers, the airshow itself might have had to shut down this year.

He says “an outstanding lineup of world-class domestic and international performances” will put on an airshow for millions who flock to California’s Huntington Beach every year.

The Snowbirds, the acrobatic demonstration fleet from the Royal Canadian Air Force, are appearing at the Pacific Airshow for the fifth time.

The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force Falcons and the Australian famed acrobatic pilot Emma McDonald are among many others to perform during the three-day show, which started Friday.

The Snowbirds’ participation at Pacific Airshow is their fourth performance in the U.S. so far this year, according to the Force’s 2025 schedule.

They are expected to take part in the San Francisco Fleet Week Air Show next week, which will be their final airshow south of the border this year.

The Force’s spokesperson, Capt. Phil Rochon, said Snowbirds receive numerous requests to perform at air shows across North America.

“The Snowbirds evaluate all requests and establish our annual schedule in fall for the following year, with priority given to Canadian events,” he said.

“Traditionally, the team performs in the United States during the fall, after the Canadian air show season concludes in mid-September, or on weekends when no Canadian requests are scheduled.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 4, 2025.

The Canadian Press