Good Neighbor Day Air Show Returns to Atlanta’s DeKalb–Peachtree Airport in 2026
After a one-year absence, one of Georgia’s longest-running aviation events is set to return this fall. DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK) has announced that its Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House will take place on September 19, 2026, bringing a full day of aviation activities back to the Atlanta area. The event, which has connected the airport with the surrounding community for more than four decades, returns with several new features as organizers expand the program beyond its traditional format. This year’s edition will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States and introduce a STEM Expo designed to highlight aviation, technology, and career opportunities for students and families.
Airport officials say the event’s cancellation in 2025 was necessary due to ongoing airport construction projects. “We are excited to bring back our air show,” said Hunter Hines, director of DeKalb–Peachtree Airport. “Good Neighbor Day has become an Atlanta tradition and the longest-running air show in the region. We look forward to welcoming families and aviation enthusiasts once again.”
PDK’s connection to military aviation stretches back more than a century. The site was originally part of Camp Gordon during WWI before becoming a Naval Reserve Air Facility in the early 1940s. Naval Air Station Atlanta operated on the field from 1941 until 1959, training generations of Navy aviators and support personnel. The airport’s air show heritage is equally significant. In 1947, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed at the field while flying the Grumman F8F Bearcat. Decades later, PDK launched the Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House, which evolved into one of metro Atlanta’s most popular annual aviation events.
Organizers plan to build on that legacy with an expanded schedule of activities. Alongside static aircraft displays and aviation exhibits, visitors can expect aerial demonstrations throughout the afternoon and evening. The program will conclude with a night air show, a drone light show, and a fireworks display. A new STEM Expo will serve as a centerpiece of the daytime activities, reflecting the airport’s efforts to promote aviation education and workforce development throughout the region.
“What began as a modest community fly-in has grown into one of the region’s best-attended aviation events,” Hines said. “By strengthening the educational component and enhancing the spectator experience, Good Neighbor Day can serve as a regional model for how aviation events promote awareness, opportunity, and civic engagement.” Gates are scheduled to open at 1:00 p.m., with activities continuing until 9:00 p.m. Additional details, including performer announcements and ticket information, are expected in the coming months.
