Sun N Fun 2025 Review and 2026 Preview
The USAF F-16 flight demonstration – one of the many Sun ‘n Fun highlights from 2025
Story and photos by Kevin Burke
To spice things up for my air show visits in 2025 I decided to go to Sun and Fun in Lakeland Florida in April. I have read about this show in the past and knew that it was more than just a typical weekend Air Show. Actually, their website claims it’s the second largest Aviation Expo in the United States.
The Expo starts on Tuesday and goes through Sunday. As an air show photographer, I would be more interested in attending later in the week as most aerial performances are closer to the weekend. The expo is geared toward pilots to learn more about the flying they do and there is certainly all kinds of aircraft manufacturers showing their goods. There were two days involving flying at night, with fireworks and drone shows.
The website for the show was loaded with information about seminars and meet and greet opportunities. It also was very detailed allowing me to plan.
Here’s a link to the 2026 event: SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo – Lakeland, FL
What my must-see list would consist of:
This show is an annual show, and for 2026 the USAF Thunderbirds are a headlining act plus the USAF F22 demo. An F-4 Phantom was added to the performers list as well as the US Navy Super Hornet demo.
It appears the flying at Sun N Fun starts with a 5pm night show on Wednesday. I am excited to see the F-22 afterburners at dusk! They also list KC-46. KC-135, C-17 demonstrations.
2025’s Navy Growler demo team
Last year was heavy on fighters. The Navy F-18 Growler Demo, Navy F35C demo as well as the Air Force’s F35A. The top jet performer I was excited to see was the USAF F16 demo painted in the commemorative 50-year red, white and blue paint scheme. The only jet I was missing last year was the F-22. This year it was listed early as a performer early and recently an F-4 Phantom, F-100 and Navy Super Hornet have been added.
Last year I also had an opportunity to spend a few minutes talking to a pilot that I have been impressed with for many years, a local New England performer, Rob Holland. I have met a few air show pilots over the years usually with the purpose of asking a few questions and worrying about getting their answers on paper or some type of recording. When I noticed Rob at his merchandise tent, I debated going over to say hello, I figured if I have one of my business cards on me, that would make it feel like more of a formal introduction. What gave me the push to go up to him was when I found one of my cards that featured an aerial photo of Sean Tucker over Boston, I can tell him how much I would enjoy getting a photo like that of him!, otherwise I feel like I am just a six foot three gray haired big kid walking up and saying I love what you do. Sadly, a few weeks later he was killed in his aerobatic plane upon arriving at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.
At the time of his passing I felt I had to write something for an aviation website I contribute to, Photorecon.net. Here is what I wrote….
Rob Holland perished on Thursday April 24 while attempting to land at Langley AFB in Virginia.
I really enjoyed the Sun N Fun show. I bought admission for the week and flew into Orlando but there is a commercial aviation terminal at this airport, Lakeland and the new airline Avelo flies out of there, so that could be an option for some people. The terminal was far across the other side of the airport, so I was not able to see how many car rental facilities were right there.
On the air show side there is a campground. There is also an expansive area for people to fly in with their plane and camp in a tent right there. The only difficulty I had was arriving just before a night show started. It was my first time there and by the time the sun went down I had a hard time finding my way back to where I had parked.
I definitely have this show on my ‘Must Return to ‘ list.
Photos from the 2025 Show:
