New Zealand’s Premier Airshow – Warbirds Over Wanaka – is set to roar back into life at Easter 2026.
This ‘bucket-list’ event was first held in 1988. Some 14,000 people descended on Wanaka and, apart from two lost airshows due to the Covid pandemic, it has been held every second year since.
Last year around 63,000 people attended over the three days witnessing some of the world’s best pilots flying some amazing aircraft from 1930’s classics through to modern day fighter jets.
Highlights from 2024 included the first ever Wanaka display by a WWII Mosquito aircraft, an exhilarating show of power from the USAF’s
F-16 Fighting Falcon fighter jets, the debut of a recently restored P-51 fighter and a world-class show of precision flying from the ‘American Eagles’ jet aerobatics team.
Although the full 2026 flying programme is yet to be announced, organisers are confident they will have a final line-up with even more WOW factor. The flying is complimented by stunning pyrotechnics including the grand finale – a 300m long Wall of Fire.
On the ground, there will be numerous exhibits from all things aviation to general craft stalls and more than 50 food and beverage vendors.
Warbirds Over Wanaka has won a number of major awards including the last two airshows being named ‘New Zealand’s Favourite Event’ at the New Zealand Event Association Awards.
Tickets sold out in 2024 so purchase yours today via Ticketek to secure your spot on the flightline in 2026.
