Free · updated for 2026

The 2026 UK
airshow calendar.

Every display we reckon is worth the drive this summer: where it is, when it is, and a straight word on what makes each one worth your Saturday. Hover the map, then scroll for the full run-down.

1
Midlands Air Festival29–31 May
 2
RAF Cosford Air Show14 Jun
 3
Duxford Summer Air Show4–5 Jul
 4
Farnborough International20–24 Jul
 5
Shuttleworth Summer Air Show25 Jul
 6
Wales National Air Show25–26 Jul
 7
Blackpool Air Show8–9 Aug
 8
Airbourne, Eastbourne13–16 Aug
 9
Clacton Air Show27–28 Aug
 10
Southport Air Show29–30 Aug
 11
International Ayr Show4–5 Sep
 12
Duxford Battle of Britain12–13 Sep
 13
Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props26–27 Sep

The season at a glance

Five months, thirteen shows,
one very full boot.

The British season runs late May to the end of September. Coastal shows are free and flown over the sea; the airfield shows charge in but put warbirds close enough to smell the oil.

Missing this year: the Royal International Air Tattoo at Fairford isn’t running in 2026, and Bournemouth Air Festival is paused while the council looks for a backer. Both go straight back on the list the moment they return.
Fly with us between shows

The calendar

Month by month.

May 20261

1

Midlands Air Festival

29–31 May

Ragley Hall, Warwickshire

Balloons at dawn, aircraft through the afternoon and a night display with fireworks to finish. Gentle, family stuff on a grand estate.

June 20261

2

RAF Cosford Air Show

14 Jun

RAF Cosford, Shropshire

The RAF’s own show, and these days the only one it runs. The Red Arrows, a strong military line-up and hangars open to wander.

July 20264

3

Duxford Summer Air Show

4–5 Jul

IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire

Warbirds flown from the airfield they were actually based at. Spitfires, the odd Lancaster and a fast jet or two.

4

Farnborough International

20–24 Jul

Farnborough, Hampshire

Half trade show, half spectacle. Most of the week is trade-only; come on the Friday, the public day, when airliners get thrown around like fighters and the new metal flies.

5

Shuttleworth Summer Air Show

25 Jul

Old Warden, Bedfordshire

Our neighbours down the road. Edwardian machines that barely clear the hedge, flown on still summer evenings. Quietly brilliant.

6

Wales National Air Show

25–26 Jul

Swansea Bay, Glamorgan

Free, on the beach, with the Mumbles behind it. One of the best-value days in the calendar when the weather plays along.

August 20264

7

Blackpool Air Show

8–9 Aug

Blackpool, Lancashire

Seafront flying with the Tower behind it. Two days, no ticket, and a promenade full of deckchairs.

8

Airbourne, Eastbourne

13–16 Aug

Eastbourne, East Sussex

Four days over the seafront and one of the biggest crowds of the year. Displays run right off the beach beneath Beachy Head.

9

Clacton Air Show

27–28 Aug

Clacton-on-Sea, Essex

A proper old-fashioned seaside show off the pier. The Red Arrows usually headline and the town makes a week of it.

10

Southport Air Show

29–30 Aug

Southport, Merseyside

Sands, sea and jets. A long-running north-west favourite with a beach that seems to go on forever.

September 20263

11

International Ayr Show

4–5 Sep

Ayr Seafront, Scotland

Scotland’s national airshow, flown over the seafront with Arran on the horizon. Well worth the drive north.

12

Duxford Battle of Britain

12–13 Sep

IWM Duxford, Cambridgeshire

Duxford’s flagship. A mass Spitfire and Hurricane finale that is hard to watch dry-eyed if you know the history.

13

Sywell Classic: Pistons & Props

26–27 Sep

Sywell Aerodrome, Northants

Pistons, props and plus-fours. A 1940s dress-up weekend at a gorgeous Art Deco aerodrome, half an hour from us.

While you're waiting for the season

Watching gets old. Flying doesn’t.

Swap the deckchair for the front seat. Fly the same kind of aerobatics you came to watch, in our Extra 300, any Tuesday to Saturday.

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