Lake of the Ozarks Air Show

The Lake of the Ozarks Air Show is a single-day event built around a simple and effective proposition: take one of the most dramatic recreational lake settings in the American Midwest, add a full program of aerial performance running from vintage warbird exhibitions to modern aerobatic sequences, and run it for free — the only charge being $10 per vehicle for parking. The 2026 show runs Saturday, September 12, from 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM at Camdenton Memorial-Lake Regional Airport in Camdenton, Missouri, with a rain date of Sunday, September 13. The lake’s characteristic arms and coves spread to the south of the airport, and the combination of water below and aircraft above gives the show a visual depth that flat-field air shows simply cannot replicate.

What Happens Over the Tarmac

The 2026 performer list will be confirmed at lakeoftheozarksairshow.com as the season approaches; past editions have featured Team Vortex Air Shows in their signature aerobatic routines, a B-25J Mitchell World War II bomber with flyover and static display, and the Chevy Flash Fire Truck — a crowd-pleasing vehicle act that runs between aerial segments and particularly holds the attention of children who may be between their levels of interest in historic aircraft. The tarmac vendor line runs throughout the show day with interactive exhibits, food vendors, and the kind of up-close aircraft access that museum visits rarely provide. The show runs continuously from 8:00 AM through the mid-afternoon closing, with a rhythm of aerial acts followed by ground-level access periods that allow attendees to approach the parked aircraft, speak with pilots, and get the scale of the machines in a way that viewing from a distance does not communicate. Lawn chairs and blankets are strongly recommended — there is limited fixed seating, and the best positions for viewing aerobatic maneuvers are on the open grass areas adjacent to the tarmac.

Lake of the Ozarks: The Water Beyond the Runway

Lake of the Ozarks is the largest reservoir in Missouri, with 1,150 miles of shoreline that exceeds the California coastline in total length. It is a lake built for recreational excess — boat traffic, waterfront dining, sunset cruises, and the concentrated marina culture that has developed over the decades since Bagnell Dam created it in 1931. After the air show closes in mid-afternoon, the lake’s full infrastructure is available: tube and pontoon rentals operate through most Camdenton-area marinas into the early evening, and the lake’s calm September coves offer afternoon paddling that is significantly more peaceful than the July and August peak period. For dinner, the Lodge of Four Seasons at the Lake of the Ozarks provides one of the region’s most consistent dining rooms; Barossa, the resort’s signature restaurant, does wood-fired preparations and a steakhouse menu that draws non-guests regularly — the bone-in ribeye and the Missouri-sourced pork chop with apple butter are the two anchor dishes. For a more casual lake-culture dinner, HK’s Restaurant in Osage Beach has been a Lake of the Ozarks institution since 1979, known for its prime rib (available daily in limited quantities) and the kind of sprawling, comfortable dining room that accommodates everyone from post-air-show families to anniversary couples without a hint of awkwardness.

Practical Details

Camdenton Memorial-Lake Regional Airport is located at 20 Airport Drive in Camdenton, Missouri. On-site parking is $10 per vehicle; handicap parking requires a valid placard or plate. Free off-site parking is available at Camdenton Middle School with free shuttle service to the show — this is the better option for arriving groups, as it avoids the on-site parking congestion that builds by mid-morning. Golf cart shuttle service runs within the show grounds but is limited in availability; plan to walk the tarmac and viewing areas under your own power. The event is entirely outdoors; September in the Ozarks averages in the low-to-mid 80s Fahrenheit with lower humidity than summer peak — bring sunscreen, a hat, and water. The organizer and City of Camdenton ask that attendees be aware of cords and cables across the tarmac surface and pay attention to crowd management announcements throughout the day.

If You’re Going with Kids
The air show is one of the more naturally family-friendly outdoor events in the Midwest calendar — the aircraft are visually spectacular at all levels of aviation knowledge, the tarmac access periods allow children to stand next to machines they will talk about for months, and the show’s structure (constant aerial action with clear ground-level intermissions) keeps the day organized without dead time. Bring sunscreen, ear protection for smaller children during aerobatic sequences, and snacks.

Lake of the Ozarks Waterfront Stays on Lake.com

The Lake of the Ozarks rental market is one of the most developed in the Midwest interior, with waterfront homes, lakefront cabins, and large group properties covering all 1,150 miles of shoreline. Search Lake of the Ozarks and Camden County waterfront options on Lake.com to find a property that allows the air show Saturday to flow directly into a full lake weekend. September is one of the best months to be on the Lake of the Ozarks — the summer crowds have thinned, the water is still warm, and the marina infrastructure operates without the July peak congestion.