Iconic Snowbirds to make one last performance in the Capital this summer before retiring its Tutor Jets

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will return to the skies over Victoria this summer for what will be the team’s final performances on Vancouver Island before its iconic Tutor jets are retired.

The aerial demonstration team is scheduled to perform a 40-minute show along the Dallas Road waterfront on August 4 beginning at 5 p.m.

The 2026 season marks the Snowbirds’ farewell tour using the CT-114 Tutor aircraft, which the team has flown for the past 55 years. The federal government plans to replace the aging jets, but the new aircraft are not expected to be ready until at least 2030.

Organizers say the Victoria performance could be the last chance for local residents to see the Snowbirds for several years.

“We usually have a crowd of almost 30,000 and we’re expecting equal if not more for this year,” said Kelly Kurta with the Greater Victoria Festival Society.

“It’s going to be an exciting week in Victoria just in general with the David Foster show and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Musical Ride coming twice to the Saanich Fairgrounds.”

The Greater Victoria Festival Society is still searching for a title sponsor for the show and says it remains about $50,000 short of its financial goal to hold the event.