Blackpool Air Show 2026: All you need to know

1 hour ago

Emma StanleyNorth West

News image — The Blackpool Air Show takes place over the Irish Sea, just off the coast of Blackpool

Visit Blackpool Five small aerobatic aircraft flying overhead against a bright blue sky looking almost straight up from below, so the undersides of the aircraft are visible. Each aircraft is producing a thick white smoke trail that extends downward through the image. The smoke trails are nearly vertical and vary slightly in angle, creating a fan-like pattern across the sky. — The Blackpool Air Show takes place over the Irish Sea, just off the coast of Blackpool

The Blackpool Air Show takes place this weekend with thousands of people expected to head to the seaside for the free event.

This year, the Red Arrows - who have have been performing in Blackpool since the 1990s - will not be there.

The famous display team will be in North America for a 13-date, month-long tour.

But there will still be lots to see including an RAF Typhoon, vintage aircraft and a parachute display team - the Army's Red Devils.

PA Media A single parachutist is high in the sky beneath a large rectangular parachute canopy. The parachute is mostly red with dark grey and white sections near the centre. The person appears as a dark silhouette suspended by thin lines connecting to the canopy. Trailing from beneath the parachutist is a long line supporting several smoke emitters. These emitters create five parallel streams of pinkish-red smoke that stretch diagonally across the image from upper right to lower left. The smoke trails are wavy and textured, resembling broad brushstrokes painted across the sky. The background is a bright, clear blue sky with a large patch of white cloud on the right side. — This year you can see the Red Devils - the Army's world-class parachute display team

Where is the Blackpool Air Show held?

The Blackpool Air Show takes place over the Irish Sea, just off the coast of Blackpool on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August.

The best place to watch is from Tower Festival Headland along Blackpool seafront, across the road from Blackpool Tower.

You should be able to get a good view of the action anywhere between the North Pier and Central Pier.

How do I get there?

The seafront is easily accessible by tram or bus, and it is a 15-minute walk from Blackpool North Railway Station.

Organisers urged those driving to park early as demand for public car parks is expected to be high.

The Promenade will be closed to all traffic between Chapel Street and Springfield Road each afternoon during the Air Show.

The tramway will also be closed in this area and operating a split service from North Pier and Manchester Square.

Diversion routes will be clearly signposted along the following routes:

Northbound - Promenade, Chapel Street, Central Drive, Albert Road, Regent Road, Cookson Street, Talbot Road, Dickson Road, Springfield Road, Promenade.

Southbound - Promenade, Springfield Road, High Street, Talbot Road, Buchanan Street, Grosvenor Street, Church Street, Park Road, Reads Avenue, Central Drive, Chapel Street, Promenade.

Visit Blackpool a wide shot of blackpool beach, with thousands of spectators. on the right of the beach there is a building made of red bricks and grey roof. Above the sea, in the middle of the picture there are some planes flying, trailing white vapor behind them. On the left, there is a pier stretching out to sea with a ferris wheel. — The Blackpool Air Show brought thousands of people to the seafront last year

What can I see?

This year you can see the Red Devils - the Army's world-class parachute display team.

The Eurofighter Typhoon, which has a top speed of more than 1,400mph (2,253km/h) and is powered by two Rolls Royce engines, will also head to the skies, as will vintage aircraft that will feature in a Battle of Britain memorial flight.

Team Raven, an elite formation aerobatic display team and wing walkers will also be in Blackpool.

There will also be classic US fighter aircraft.

To complement the aerial programme, there will be plenty to see and do on the ground with a wide range of stalls, attractions and food concessions in the Air Show Village on the Tower Festival Headland.

PA Media Typhoon jet used by the Typhoon Display Team, painted in the colours of the 'Dayfighter' paint scheme of the Hawker Typhoon - army green and grey - flown by Denzel Jenkins on D-Day to mark the 80th anniversary — A Typhoon jet like those used by the Typhoon Display Team

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.