Victoria, get ready to look up!
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will roar over the Dallas Road waterfront on Tuesday, August 4th, for a full aerial demonstration marking both the team’s 55th anniversary and the end of an era.
Unlike last year’s brief Inner Harbour flyover, Tuesday’s performance will be a complete 45-minute show packed with tight formations, aerobatic manoeuvres and the Snowbirds’ signature white smoke trails.
It will be the team’s first full demonstration in Victoria since 2015 and the last time the legendary CT-114 Tutor jets are expected to fly over the city.
Here’s everything you need to know before heading down.
When and where is the show?
The free performance is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. on Tuesday and continue until approximately 5:45 p.m.
The primary viewing area will stretch along the Dallas Road waterfront from Douglas Street toward Clover Point, with the pathway between Finlayson Point and Clover Point expected to be particularly popular.
However, Clover Point itself will be closed to spectators during the air show.
Organizers are expecting between 20,000 and 30,000 people, so arriving early is strongly recommended. Food trucks will also be set up near the event area for anyone looking to make an afternoon of it.
Those who can’t make it to Dallas Road can listen to a live broadcast and simulcast on CFAX 1070 beginning at 4:30 p.m. The City of Victoria says the show is expected to last approximately 45 minutes.
Why this show is particularly special
The Snowbirds are celebrating their 55th anniversary in 2026, but this season will also be the final one for the Canadair CT-114 Tutor.
The aircraft entered service with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1963 and has been flown by the Snowbirds since the team was created in 1971.
Nine of the team’s 11 Tutor jets are typically used during performances.
The federal government announced earlier this year that the aging Tutor fleet will be retired following the 2026 air-show season. A replacement fleet of CT-157 Siskin II aircraft is expected to eventually bring the Snowbirds back to the skies in the early 2030s.
That makes Tuesday’s show the final opportunity to see the Snowbirds’ familiar red-and-white Tutors performing over Victoria. The RCAF says the aircraft have completed more than 2,700 displays for over 140 million people during their long career.
Leave the car at home if you can
Parking restrictions along Dallas Road will begin at noon Tuesday.
According to VicPD’s traffic advisory, the following roads will close beginning at 3 p.m.:
- Dallas Road from Douglas Street to Memorial Crescent
- Cook Street from May Street to Dallas Road
- Douglas Street from Simcoe Street to Dallas Road
- Memorial Crescent from Fairfield Road to Dallas Road
VicPD expects the closures to remain in place until approximately 6 p.m. or until it is safe to reopen the roads. The City is advising that some traffic-control measures could continue until 7 p.m.
Cook Street and additional side streets north of Dallas Road may also close beginning around 4 p.m. if police and traffic-control personnel determine it is necessary.
Access to Fairfield will be controlled and residents in James Bay and Fairfield should expect delays entering or leaving their neighbourhoods.
A free bike valet will be available
Walking, cycling or taking transit will likely be the easiest way to reach the waterfront.
A free bike valet will open at Cook Street and Dallas Road at 3:30 p.m. and remain available until all bikes have been collected following the show.
Transit riders should check BC Transit before leaving, as temporary stop closures and route detours are expected.
Anyone who does drive should be prepared for a slow departure. Police suggest remaining near the waterfront for a little while after the final pass to allow some of the congestion to clear.
Keep your drone firmly on the ground
Private drones are strictly prohibited anywhere within or near the air-show area.
Police said an unauthorized drone could create a serious hazard for the Snowbirds and may result in enforcement action.
VicPD will have its own police drone in the area to monitor crowds and traffic conditions. Police say the system provides live situational awareness and does not record by default.
Organizers are also encouraging residents to leave their dogs at home because of the noise and large crowds. Hearing protection may be a good idea for young children or anyone sensitive to loud sounds.
Make a meeting plan
With tens of thousands of people expected, VicPD has established four designated meeting points for anyone who becomes separated from family or friends:
- Douglas Street and Dallas Road
- Cook Street and Dallas Road
- Moss Street and Dallas Road
- Memorial Crescent and Dallas Road
Police officers and event personnel will be stationed throughout the area.
The forecast is looking very promising
The air show remains weather dependent, but Mother Nature appears ready to cooperate.
As of Sunday afternoon, Environment Canada was forecasting sunshine and a high of 26°C for Victoria on Tuesday.
In other words, bring sunscreen, arrive early and prepare for one final unforgettable roar from the Snowbirds’ legendary Tutor jets!
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