Snowbirds Perform Final Show Until 2030s at CNE Air Show
Canada's iconic aerobatic team will take their bows this Labour Day weekend before retiring their aging jets for a decade-long hiatus.
This year marks the end of an era: the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform at the CNE Air Show for the final time before the iconic team is temporarily grounded for an entire decade.
At a press conference in Moose Jaw on May 19, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced that the beloved red-and-white jets will retire as the federal government phases out its aging CT-114 Tutor fleet. The replacement aircraft — propeller-driven CT-157 Siskin II jets — won't be operational until at least 2030, creating a gap that will reshape one of Toronto's most anticipated summer traditions.
For generations, the Snowbirds' thunderous roar, tight synchronicity, and vintage jet silhouettes have been the climax of the CNE Air Show. Their departure represents the loss of a living symbol of Canadian military pride and nostalgia for anyone who's ever craned their neck to watch precision flying over Lake Ontario.
The news sparked immediate backlash online. Fans and observers questioned the switch from jets to propeller-driven aircraft, with some calling it "embarrassing for the Canadian military." The shift reflects budget constraints and a broader military modernization strategy, but for Torontonians, it's simply the end of a beloved spectacle.
Catch the Snowbirds in action one last time at the 77th Canadian International Air Show during Labour Day Weekend, September 5–7, 2026, closing out the CNE. It's a final chance to witness what many consider Canada's most storied aerobatic team before they disappear into hangars for the next ten years. Mark your calendars — if you've never seen them live, 2026 is now or never.