On the weekend of September 4 and 5, 2026, the sky over Desenzano del Garda lit up with the colors of the Frecce Tricolori, the stars of the 2026 Garda Air Show. Two days of aerial displays featuring Italian Air Force aircraft and helicopters, a Czech Air Force Mi-171 helicopter, aerobatics with a CAP 10, Pitts Special and CAP 231, an amphibious ultralight and a formation from the 6th Fighter Wing, before the grand finale by the National Aerobatic Team.

The shows ran from 10:15 AM to 12:30 PM on both days, with the public able to reach the waterfront via free shuttles running from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM from the San Martino and Perla car parks. Friday evening, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Republic, the concert "L'Italia Canta la Repubblica" ("Italy Sings the Republic") brought music and historical storytelling to the town center.

Santa sits right on the lungolago Cesare Battisti waterfront, one of the spots from which the show could be watched with a view over the lake.