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Air Invictus - The Air Race through the Douro is back!

04 JAN, 2026
Editorial Staff
Air Invictus
Air Invictus, a brand new Portuguese-led aviation event, is bringing the legendary Red Bull Air Race back to the Douro River from June 19–21, featuring the same elite pilots from the circuit in thrilling competitive aerial racing. Beyond the high-speed action, the three-day event across Porto, Gaia, Maia, and Matosinhos will showcase military demonstrations, drone light shows, aerospace innovations, and a nighttime electronic music festival with aerial acrobatics and fireworks.
Main image of Air Invictus - The Air Race through the Douro is back!

The iconic Douro River, once a legendary stage for the Red Bull Air Race and breathtaking aerobatic performances, is about to witness the roar of engines and the thrill of flight once more. Air Invictus is coming back — a brand new Portuguese-led aviation event that carries forward that legacy. From June 19th to 21st, the skies and stages around Porto, Gaia, Maia, and Matosinhos will ignite with aviation-related events, with high spot on competitive racing by the very same elite aviators from the Red Bull Air Race circuit.

For three intense days, expect a journey through the past, present, and future of aviation. Military jets and helicopters will display cutting-edge operational capabilities, while acrobatic pilots will defy gravity in heart-stopping performances over the Douro. Competitive racing aircraft will remind us why these skies have always been the ultimate arena for high-speed aerial competition. This is where history lives and breathes.

The innovation doesn't stop at the classics. A Drone Light Show will illuminate the Porto and Gaia skylines with coordinated quadcopters in a bid to break a European record — a stunning blend of technology and spectacle. Explore exhibitions showcasing Portuguese aerospace and defense innovations, from UAVs to satellites. Listen to industry experts and decision-makers debate the future of aerospace, defense, and Portugal's role in this industry. Watch remote-controlled aircraft demonstrations where precision engineering meets artistic flair.

By day, discover flight experiences in Maia, explore technological showcases in Matosinhos, and witness the raw power of aviation. By night, an electronic music festival merges with aerial acrobatics, fireworks, and light — creating moments you won't forget. There's also a scenic bike tour through Porto for those who prefer to keep their feet closer to the ground.

The Douro is calling the aviators, the innovators, the families, and the dreamers. Mark June 19–21 on your calendar and prepare to witness where air and tradition collide.

For more information, visit the Air Invictus website.

Martin Sonka flying through the gates in 2017

Martin Sonka flying through the gates in 2017

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Source: Air Invictus. Non-original articles are adapted from the mentioned Portuguese sources as part of our mission to bring region information to international readers. If any of this content is copyright-protected and you wish to request its removal or modification, please contact us.