The U.S. Navy Blue Angels will return to Traverse City in 2027 to perform at the National Cherry Festival.

The jet team will return to northern Michigan July 3-4, 2027. The Blue Angels unveiled their schedule for the next two years at the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) Conference in Las Vegas Tuesday. Cherry Festival officials also learned at ICAS that the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demo Team will be performing at the 100th National Cherry Festival July 4-5, 2026. The 2026 festival will also include a night show with aerial performers who will fly their displays in the dark illuminated by fireworks, pyrotechnics, and LED lighting.

Each year, the Cherry Festival applies for jet teams through the U.S. Department of Defense. The festival will begin the application process for the 2028 air show season in the coming months.

"We look forward to welcoming the Blue Angels back to Traverse City in 2027," says Cherry Festival Executive Director Kat Paye. "Their precision, power, and unmatched skill make them a festival
favorite, and their return underscores the strong partnerships we’ve built and our standing as a premier destination for world-class aerial performances."

While the history of the air show has experienced its share of turbulence - including tensions in recent years with Cherry Capital Airport over air show impacts on airport operations - the Blue Angels have a long history with the Cherry Festival dating back to 1988. "Having captivated audiences many times over the years, their upcoming performance will be another highlight in the festival’s rich history of precision flight demonstrations," organizers said in a statement.