Members of the Frecce Tricolori Demonstration Team take in the atmosphere at the 2024 Full Throttle Festival in Cold Lake. Photo by Mike Marshall / The Courier News

Before aircraft take to the skies over Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake, the community will come together downtown for an evening of music, family fun, and celebration as the Full Throttle Festival returns on Friday, July 17th.

Presented by the City of Cold Lake, the annual event serves as the official kickoff to the 2026 Cold Lake Air Show weekend. The festival will once again transform 50th Avenue into a lively street party, bringing together residents, visitors, air show performers, and aviation enthusiasts ahead of the weekend’s flying displays.

The free event begins at 4 p.m. and features a variety of activities for all ages. Families can enjoy bouncers, face painting, balloon twisting, and sparkle tattoos, while adults can take in the atmosphere at the beer gardens, complete with DJ entertainment throughout the evening.

Live music will take centre stage throughout the event, beginning with a performance by the 4 Wing Band at 4:10 p.m. Alberta rock group Eversky will follow at 5 p.m., before Canadian reggae artist Lex Justice takes the stage at 6:30 p.m.

The evening will culminate with a performance by legendary Canadian rock band Trooper at 8 p.m.

For more than four decades, Trooper has remained one of Canada’s most recognizable and beloved rock acts. The band has released ten studio albums, earned multiple gold and platinum records, and won a Juno Award for Band of the Year. Their six-times platinum greatest hits collection, Hot Shots, remains one of the country’s best-selling compilation albums, while classics such as Raise a Little Hell, We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time), The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car, and Two for the Show continue to receive regular airplay across Canada.

Following Friday’s festivities, attention will shift to CFB Cold Lake on July 18th and 19th as the 2026 Cold Lake Air Show takes to the skies.

Admission to the Full Throttle Festival is free, and organizers encourage residents and visitors alike to head downtown to help launch another exciting Air Show weekend in Cold Lake.

The Cold Lake Air Show is pleased to be in partnership with our Hosting Sponsor, CAE!