Following a one-year hiatus, DeKalb–Peachtree Airport (PDK), in Atlanta, GA, will host its much-loved Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House on September 19, 2026. The 2026 event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, marking an exciting new chapter for one of the region’s most cherished aviation traditions. For more than four decades, Good Neighbor Day has connected DeKalb–Peachtree Airport with the local community. Now entering a new phase of growth, the event will evolve into a full-day aviation celebration featuring expanded aerial demonstrations, a newly introduced STEM Expo, and a night airshow. These additions aim to promote aviation education, support economic development, and inspire the next generation of aviators.
“We are excited to bring back our air show,” said Hunter Hines, airport director. “Due to airport construction, we were unable to hold the show last year. 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.” DeKalb–Peachtree Airport has deep military roots. A century ago, the site was part of Camp Gordon, a U.S. Army training base during World War I. In 1940, the U.S. Navy acquired part of the land, commissioning it as a Naval Reserve Air Field the following year. From 1941 to 1959, Naval Air Station Atlanta trained hundreds of aviators and Navy personnel. The airport’s air show legacy dates back to 1947, when the U.S. Navy Blue Angels performed in their F8F Bearcats. In the early 1980s, PDK launched the Good Neighbor Day Air Show and Open House, which quickly became a beloved tradition for families and aviation enthusiasts across the Atlanta area.
“What began as a modest community fly-in has grown into one of the region’s best-attended aviation events,” continued Hines. “Looking ahead, our goal is to build on that success by expanding the aerial programming and introducing a dedicated STEM EXPO to inspire students, young professionals, and families. 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.” The new format will feature a daytime STEM Expo, static aircraft displays, followed by an afternoon and evening program including air show performances, a night air show, a drone light show, and fireworks. Gates will open at 1:00 PM, and the event will last until 9:00 pm. For more information, visit www.pdkairshow.org
