The Bournemouth Air Festival will not be taking place in 2025.
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The Bournemouth Air Festival is the UK’s biggest free aviation festival and will take place from Thursday 29th August to Saturday 31st August 2024.
Event organisers are planning a packed programme of world-class aerobatic displays with entertainment for all ages along 1.5 miles of award-winning coastline.
Visitors can expect fairground rides, Pier to Pier trading, fireworks, vintage displays and demonstrations from the Armed Forces.
The landmark festival is also hoping to inspire budding engineers with an enhanced STEM Village (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) on the beach, featuring exciting demonstrations and displays from local and national companies.
Please note that it has been announced that the Red Arrows will not be participating at the 2024 festival due to prior international commitments.
Bournemouth Air Festival ‘In the Air’ Displays 2024
The popular Typhoon makes a welcome return for 2024, appearing on all 3 days of the festival.
Thursday 29 August at 4.30pm and 7.42pm
Friday 30 August at 4.10pm and 7.40pm
Saturday 31 at 5.24pm and 7.35pm
Back by popular demand! This biplane has been reengineered to include two massive ATM Lynx jet engines providing even more aerial manoeuvres and aerobatics.
The world’s only formation wingwalking team are back performing breathtaking aerobatics of loops, rolls, star turns and an inverted flight! Set to display on all 3 days.
BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT (BBMF) AVRO LANCASTER B1
The mighty LANCASTER is an impressive sight to see. Set to display on all 3 days.
ROLLS ROYCE SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE & P-51 MUSTANG
Back for all three days of the festival performing a joint display!
RED DEVILS ARMY PARACHUTE DISPLAY TEAM
For the first time since 2019, the Red Devils will be dropping in on the festival with smoke trailing and flags flying with jumps on all three days of the festival.
SAAB J 35J DRAKEN – SWEDISH AIR FORCE HISTORIC FLIGHT
It’s a welcome back to the iconic Saab Draken J 35J from the Swedish Air Force Historic Flight, making a triumphant return after its 2019 debut!
SAAB AJS37 VIGGEN – SWEDISH AIR FORCE HISTORIC FLIGHT
Making its Bournemouth debut in a series of spectacular joint displays with the Draken is the SAAB AJS37, set to appear on both Thursday and Friday!
For the first time since 2018, the magnificent B-17 SallyB Flying Fortress, the last remaining airworthy B-17 in Europe, will be back to grace Bournemouth’s skies on the Saturday.
Being easy to handle and fully aerobatic, this aircraft is excellent for teaching the basics of flight. Come along and see just how aerobatic they can actually be!
FIREBIRDS AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These RV4 light weight aircraft will be showcasing their graceful aerial manoeuvres across the 3 days, both during the day and at dusk!
THE STARLINGS AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
The Starlings Aerobatic Display Team debuted at last years festival and they are set to perform again this year on the Friday and Saturday of the festival!
ROYAL NAVY BLACK CATS DISPLAY TEAM
Displaying on all three days of the festival, the team will be flying not one but TWO Leonardo AW159 Wildcat Maritime Attack helicopters which can reach max speeds of 180mph!
ROYAL NAVY WESTLAND WASP
Displaying on all three days of the festival, performing both solo displays as well a great Navy formation display with the Fairey Swordfish & the Royal Navy Black Cats Display Team!
ULTIMATE WARBIRDS
A Hawker Fury and Hawker Tempest II G-TEMT from Ultimate Warbirds which will be performing a joint display
Bournemouth Air Festival ‘Night Air’ Displays 2024
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down as the ‘Night Air‘ programme kicks in!
Enjoy a special dusk display from the Typhoon and set to be mesmerised by the brilliant displays from The Firebirds and Brendan O’Brien and ‘Otto’ the Helicopter. Plus in addition to their daytime displays, The Red Devils will also be doing special dusk jumps as part of the Night Air Displays on all 3 days!
Bournemouth Air Festival ‘On the Ground’ Attractions 2024
Royal Navy Village
Always a popular attraction the village can be found on the beach and is open daily from 10.00am. You can meet members of the service and get info about joining the navy, check out the weapons dome and purchase promotional merchandise.
Army Village
Also on the beach the Army Village features a number of their land vehicles and equipment such as the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank, armoured vehicles and army trucks. There will be displays of the weapons used by the army plus you will be able to find out more about joining the army.
RAF Village
Located on the East Overcliff you’ll find the Royal Air Force Village Those interested in joining the RAF are able to meet serving servicemen plus there will also be stands from the air festival charities and a weapons display.
Royal Navy Dive Tank
This year sees the return of the ever popular Royal Navy Dive Tank. Delight your family with this fantastic spectacle!
Food and Drink
And when you are feeling peckish there will be an abundance of catering stalls and outlets serving everything from traditional fish and chips to international cuisines.
Vintage Cars
Bournemouth’s East Overcliff will see a display of vintage cars!
Traders
Other highlights and trade stands on the ground include Dorset Police, Bournemouth Airport, RSPB, RNLI, Oakley, The Woodland Trust and WWF, to name but a few!
Funfair
Plus the funfair will be back in town for those fancying some thrills in between displays!
Lower Gardens Entertainment
The Lower Gardens will have a variety of family entertainment throughout the festival including the Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony which will be performed in the Lower Gardens on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 6.40pm as well as a morning concert on the Saturday at 11am.
The RM Commando Recruiting Team will also be giving Unarmed Combat demonstrations on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the Lower Gardens from 6.20pm.
Plus there will also be live music at the Bandstand in the Lower Gardens.
Vision Cinema – Click here to book
Experience the ultimate outdoor cinema experience in the UK right on Bournemouth Beach during the Bournemouth Air Festival This unique cinematic experience will provide moviegoers with the perfect combination of entertainment and comfort; offering two options for seating: inflatable seating and recliner seats!
Thursday 29th August 2024
‘If’ (U) – Film begins at 13:20, Ends at 15:20 (Doors: 12:50 / Attendee Departure: 15:30)
‘Grease’ (PG) – Film begins at 16:20, Ends at 18:20 (Doors: 15:50 / Attendee Departure: 18:30)
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (12A) – Film begins at 20:40, Ends at 23:10 (Doors: 20:10 / Attendee Departure: 23:15)
Friday 30th August 2024
‘Grease’ (PG) – Film begins at 10:30, Ends at 12:20 (Doors: 10:00 / Attendee Departure: 12:30)
‘The Fall Guy’ (12A) – Film begins at 13:30, Ends at 15:35 (Doors: 13:00 / Attendee Departure: 15:50)
‘Mamma Mia!’ (PG) – Film begins at 16:50, Ends at 18:50 (Doors: 16:20 / Attendee Departure: 19:00)
‘The Kings Man’ (15) – Film begins at 20:30 Ends at 22:45 (Doors: 20:00 / Attendee Departure: 22:50)
Saturday 31st August 2024
‘If’ (U) – Film begins at 11:00, Ends at 12:50 (Doors: 10:30 / Attendee Departure: 13:00)
‘Mamma Mia!’ (PG) – Film begins at 13:50, Ends at 15:40 (Doors: 13:20 / Attendee Departure: 15:50)
‘Me Before You’ (12A)- Film begins at 16:40, Ends at 18:30 (Doors: 16:10 / Attendee Departure: 18:40)
‘Love and Basketball’ (12) – Film begins at 21:00, Ends at 23:00 (Doors: 20:30 / Attendee Departure 23:10)
Fireworks
No event would be complete without fireworks! Two displays again this year – Friday and Saturday at 10.00pm.
At sea
The P2000s, a class of patrol and training vessel in service with the Royal Navy will reinforce the services’ marine presence during the 2024 festival.
And Finally…
The organisers produce a special Air Festival souvenir programme which provides details on the full line up and entertainment.
The programme costs £6.95 and is available to purchase from the tourist information centre on the seafront, from local shops from August and at the festival itself. You can also purchase a copy online (P&P charges apply). The programme includes a unique code which will allow you to access the online timetable via the website or app.
Displays may be subject to change due to weather conditions and aircraft availability so the online timetable will provide up to date information throughout the festival.
