When is Blackpool Air Show?

Quick answer: The Blackpool Air Show takes place on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 August 2025. It’s a free, two-day event staged over the seafront, with displays centred on the Promenade by the Tower.

What to expect on the weekend

The air show is a long-running summer highlight featuring some of the world’s best military and civilian aircraft. For 2025, VisitBlackpool confirms the dates above, with a full programme of displays each afternoon across both days. The show is free to watch from the Promenade.

Typical timings

Exact running orders can change, but displays usually run through the afternoon. VisitBlackpool posts a display times page each year so you can see when key teams are due to fly on Day One and Day Two. Keep an eye on it for any weather-related tweaks on the day.

Headliners

The RAF Red Arrows are regularly part of the weekend. For 2025 they were scheduled to perform on both days, adding those classic diamond formations and coloured smoke to the Blackpool skyline. As ever, appearances are subject to operational and weather conditions, so check official listings close to your visit.

Best places to watch

You can see the displays along much of the Promenade, but the Tower Festival Headland and the stretch between North and Central Piers are usually at the heart of the action. Get there early if you’d like the widest views, or head a little north for a calmer feel with big horizons. The tram makes it easy to position yourself along the route and to hop back after the finale.

If you love a balcony moment, consider staying right on the front. A modern sea-view room lets you step from kettle to coastline in seconds and keeps your evening plan easy once the crowds begin to thin. You can browse options such as rooms facing the sea or upgrade to the luxury suite for extra space.

Getting around on show days

• Trams: The coastal tramway runs the full length of the seafront, ideal for reaching the viewing areas and moving between North, Central and South. Services are popular during the air show, so allow a little extra time.

• On foot: The Promenade is flat and easy going, with plenty of places to pause for photos.

• Food and drink: Queues build around lunchtime. To keep the day smooth, book a table before or after the peak flying window. A relaxed meal at an authentic Italian restaurant on the seafront is a good way to anchor your afternoon.

Good to know: Many seafront hotels don’t operate private car parks. If you’re driving, plan for public or street parking away from the busiest sections and use the tram to return to your chosen viewing spot.

Making a weekend of it

Morning ideas: Ease in with a stroll to the piers, a coffee on the beach steps, or a quick look from the Comedy Carpet before the crowds gather. If skies are crystal-clear, the Tower Eye is a fun pre-show warm-up with panoramic views across the bay.

Afternoons: Find your place along the sea wall, check the live display times on your phone, and enjoy the flying. Expect a mix of fast jets, heritage fly-pasts and aerobatics depending on the day’s programme.

Evenings: When the last display wraps, most people drift towards the town centre, the piers and the restaurants on the Promenade. If you prefer an easy, crowd-free plan, book dinner close to where you’re staying and enjoy a nightcap while the traffic settles. Breakfast is available for hotel guests, so you can head out early on day two without hunting for a café.

Frequently asked questions

Is the air show free?

Yes, Blackpool Air Show is a free event to watch from the seafront. Premium hospitality options sometimes appear via third parties, but you can enjoy the flying at no charge from the Promenade.

What time does it start each day?

The precise schedule varies, but displays are typically afternoon-based. Check VisitBlackpool’s display times page in the week of the show and on the morning itself for any updates.

Where do the Red Arrows fit in?

Subject to conditions, the Red Arrows are planned to appear across the weekend. Timings are listed on the official display schedule and on the RAF’s own listings.

What if the weather turns?

Sea breezes and visibility can affect display times or content. Organisers post updates on their channels and on the schedule page if anything changes.

Can I bring dogs?

The Promenade will be busy and loud during displays. If you do bring a dog, keep them on a lead and consider quieter sections further north where there’s more space.

Where should I stay?

A hotel on the Promenade keeps you right by the action. If you want the full skyline effect, choose a room with a view or book the suite for extra comfort between show sessions. For personalised tips on timings, tables and tram stops, feel free to contact the team.

At-a-glance

• Dates: 9–10 August 2025.

• Where: Blackpool seafront, focused around the Tower and central Promenade.

• Cost: Free to watch from the Promenade.

• Programme: Afternoon flying on both days, with detailed display times published by VisitBlackpool and regular updates through the weekend.