UK airshows 2027: the calendar

The UK airshow season runs from late spring to early autumn — roughly May to September. The best-known UK airshows include the Farnborough International Airshow (July, even years), the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford (usually mid-July), the flying days at IWM Duxford, and big free seaside shows such as Eastbourne's Airbourne and Southport. Below is a month-by-month calendar of the major shows, where each is held, and how to check this year's confirmed dates.

By the Plane Spotters Club team · Last updated: September 2026. New to spotting? See our beginner's guide.

2027 season notes — what's changed

A few of the biggest names have changed for 2027, so it's worth knowing before you plan:

The Royal International Air Tattoo returns for 2027 — 16–18 July at RAF Fairford, after the 2026 show was cancelled. Tickets are on sale via the official site.
The RAF Cosford Air Show has been renamed the Royal Air Force Air Show and takes place at Cosford on Sunday 13 June 2027 — with the same team and venue, it's now the RAF's only airshow.
The Farnborough International Airshow does not run in 2027 — it's an even-year event (2026, 2028), so 2027 is a Paris Air Show year and Farnborough next returns in 2028.
The Bournemouth Air Festival has not confirmed a 2027 return after the council paused it in 2026; any revival depends on independent organisers.
The big free seaside shows — Airbourne (Eastbourne) and Southport — are expected again in August, with exact 2027 dates still to be confirmed by the organisers.
Scotland's National Airshow at East Fortune remains suspended.

Line-ups and dates are set by the organisers — always confirm on the official event page before you book travel.

UK airshow calendar, month by month

The season broadly runs May to September. The table shows when each show usually falls — always confirm this year's exact dates on the official event page or the regularly-updated calendars further down, as events can move, be cancelled or take a year off.

Usually	Event	Where
Late May	East Kirkby Airshow	Lincolnshire
Late May	Midlands Air Festival	Bedfordshire
Late May	English Riviera Airshow	Torbay, Devon
Early June	Shuttleworth Military Air Show	Old Warden, Beds
Sun 13 Jun 2027	Royal Air Force Air Show (formerly RAF Cosford)	RAF Cosford, Shropshire
Late June	Cleethorpes Armed Forces Weekend	Lincolnshire
16–18 Jul 2027	Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) — returns for 2027, see notes	RAF Fairford, Glos
July (even years — next 2028)	Farnborough International Airshow — not on in 2027	Hampshire
Summer	Duxford Flying Days & Air Shows	Cambridgeshire
Late July	Shuttleworth Summer Air Show	Old Warden, Beds
Late July	Wales National Airshow	Swansea Bay
Early August	Rochester Airport Air Display	Kent
Mid August	Airbourne: Eastbourne International Airshow (free)	Eastbourne, Sussex
Late August	Clacton Airshow (free)	Essex
Late August	Southport Air Show	Southport, Merseyside
Late August	Sidmouth Regatta Airshow	Devon
Late Aug / Sep	Bournemouth Air Festival — no 2027 date confirmed, see notes	Bournemouth, Dorset

Planning a trip around a show? Many airshow venues are great for spotting year-round too — see our UK airport spotting guide and aircraft museums guides.

How to plan an airshow visit

A first airshow can be overwhelming — huge crowds, big car parks and a long day in the open. A little planning makes it far more enjoyable, especially with children. Here's what experienced spotters do.

Arrive early & sort parking

Airshow traffic is notorious — queues can build for hours before the flying starts. Arrive well before the first display, and pre-book parking where the organiser offers it. At the free seaside shows (Airbourne, Southport, Clacton) the seafront fills quickly, so get there early for a good spot.

Pack for a long day outdoors

Ear defenders are essential, especially for children — fast-jet displays are extremely loud. Bring sun cream and a waterproof (it's a British summer), plenty of water and snacks, a folding chair, and some cash for stalls where card isn't taken.

Find the right viewing line

Aim to have the sun behind you for photography and pick a spot near the crowd-line centre, opposite the display axis. A small step or box helps children see over the crowd. Many spotters bring an airband radio or run a flight-tracking app to follow the display.

Free or ticketed?

The big seaside shows are free to watch from the front. Airfield and museum shows — RIAT, the RAF Air Show, Duxford, Shuttleworth — are ticketed, and the best-value tickets sell out early, so book ahead rather than paying on the gate.

Get the photos

A telephoto lens (200mm+) reaches the jets; use a fast shutter for fast movers, but slow down to around 1/250s and pan to keep propellers and rotor discs blurred and lifelike. Back up your card before you head home.

Log every type you see

Half the fun is the record. Take a printed spotting checklist and logbook sheet, tick off the types and note the registrations and display teams — a season of shows soon fills a book you'll keep for years.

Heading to a show? Log it properly.

Take a printed spotting checklist and logbook sheet to every display. Tick off types, note the registrations, and build a season you'll never forget.

Get your spotting sheets →

UK airshows FAQ

When is the UK airshow season?

The main UK airshow season runs from late spring to early autumn — roughly May to September — with the peak in July and August. A handful of museum and indoor events run outside this window.

What is the biggest airshow in the UK?

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford is the largest military airshow in the world, usually held in mid-July — it returns on 16–18 July 2027 after being cancelled in 2026. The Farnborough International Airshow is the biggest trade event, held in July in even-numbered years (next in 2028).

Is the Farnborough Airshow held every year?

No — the Farnborough International Airshow is held in even-numbered years (2026, 2028 and so on), alternating with the Paris Air Show. There is no Farnborough show in 2027 (a Paris Air Show year), so it next runs in 2028. It is primarily a trade event, with public access on selected days.

Are there free airshows in the UK?

Yes — many of the biggest are free to watch from the seafront, including Airbourne at Eastbourne, Southport and Clacton. You typically only pay at ticketed venues such as airfields and museums.

Which UK airshows are cancelled or changed for 2027?

For 2027: the Royal International Air Tattoo returns to RAF Fairford on 16–18 July after its 2026 cancellation. The RAF Cosford Air Show has been renamed the Royal Air Force Air Show and takes place at Cosford on 13 June 2027 — now the RAF's only airshow. Farnborough does not run in 2027 (an even-year event, next in 2028). The Bournemouth Air Festival has not confirmed a return after its 2026 cancellation, and Scotland's National Airshow at East Fortune remains suspended. Always confirm on the official event site before you travel.

What should I take to a UK airshow?

Bring ear defenders — fast-jet displays are very loud, especially for children — plus sun cream and a waterproof for the British summer, water and snacks, a folding chair and some cash for stalls. Binoculars, a camera with a long lens and a printed logbook all help you make the most of the day.

Are UK airshows good for children?

Yes — airshows are one of the best family days out for young plane spotters, and the big free seaside shows such as Airbourne and Southport are especially easy with children. Take ear defenders, as the jets are loud, and arrive early to beat the traffic and find a good spot on the crowd line.

Confirm this year's dates

Always-updated airshow calendars

Dates and line-ups firm up as each season approaches. Cross-check these trusted UK calendars for this year's confirmed dates before you book travel: