The Bournemouth Air Festival is Bournemouth’s annual air show typically held during the Summer along Bournemouth’s beaches. Since 2008, the town has welcomed over 10 million people during Air Festival weekends. It’s just one of the great festivals held in Dorset.
The 2024 Bournemouth Air show dates are scheduled for 29th – 31st August. The events and activities generally begin at around 10am each day, and crowds start to gather early, especially if you want to be near Bournemouth Pier. The first air display is always on or after 12pm.
What’s On At Bournemouth Air Show
During the course of the air show weekend, there’s plenty going on to keep the whole family entertained. Whilst the main activities are held nearer to Bournemouth Pier and beaches, there’s plenty to see in the air from further afield.
Air displays take place between Bournemouth and Boscombe Pier, and if you don’t want to spend the day sitting on the beach, there are some great vantage points from East Cliff Overdrive.
The entertainment doesn’t just stop when the sun goes down. Night Air is the evening entertainment on Thursday, Friday and Saturday from approx. 6pm. You can see Dusk displays in the skies and entertainment in the lower Gardens.
There’s also live music on the Bournemouth stage from 8pm, and fireworks from the end of Bournemouth Pier on Friday and Saturday night at 10pm.
Air Displays
2024 Bournemouth Air Festival Confirmed Air Displays
The RAF Red Arrows wont be attending to 2024 Bournemouth Air Festival due to other commitments.
The RAF Typhoon display team TBC
The Battle of Britain Memorial flight with the Spitfire and Wildcat TBA
The famous RAF HC6A Chinook TBA
There will also be dynamic flying from the Royal Navy Wildcat, and the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers.
The Tigers Army Parachute display team are TBC
2024 Bournemouth Air Festival To Be Confirmed Air Displays
The Ultimate Warbirds air display also came back featuring the the Buchon, Supermarine Spitfire, P-47D Thunderbolt “Nellie” and TF-51D Mustang “Contrary Mary”.
The Fireflies Aerobatic Display Team will be showcasing both their daytime and dusk displays this year too.
Land Activities
You can expect the beaches to be very busy. To assist in keeping your children safe LV-kidzone are in operation along the seafront. Wristbands can be collected from the Tourist Information Centre near the pier.
There are a variety of food and drink stalls, entertainment, demonstrations and fun fair rides to be discovered along the Promenade and close to the beaches.
The Army Village gives festival goers the opportunity to get up close to some army equipment and vehicles. You might even spot the Royal Marines entertaining the crowd with some combat displays.
Bournemouth Air Show Hospitality Packages
If you want to be up close to the action, you can pre book day or evening hospitality packages. Daytime prices start from around £95, you can enjoy the Air Festival Hospitality marquee. This is the only hospitality venue located on the beach directly under the central flight line.
Where To Park For Bournemouth Air Festival
The town’s car parks get very busy during festival weekend, and fill up quickly. There is plenty of parking in Bournemouth, however it’s also a good idea to take advantage of the park and ride based at Kings Park. Parking is free with a ticket price for guests travelling into town on the bus.
If you’re arriving into Bournemouth via train for the Air Festival, you’ll spot plenty of taxis outside the station, or the distance is walkable in about 30 minutes.
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