Bournemouth Air Festival

The Bournemouth Air Festival is the UK’s biggest free aviation festival and will take place from 1st until 4th September 2022

Planning is now well under way for the air festival with announcements to be made in due course. In the meantime you can see below what happened at the 2021 show and remember to check back regularly for updates!

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So what’s on and when?

Please note that displays may be subject to change due to weather conditions and aircraft availability.

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘In the Air’ Displays 2021

With the 2020 festival sadly being cancelled it seems like a long time ago that we enjoyed the air festival! But it’s back for 2021 and the line up is looking good!

RAF RED ARROWS
Air festival favourites the Red Arrows will be appearing on all four days –
Thursday September 2nd – 3pm
Friday September 3rd – 3pm
Saturday September 4th – 3pm
Sunday September 5th – 3pm

RAF TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM
Another popular attraction! The Typhoon, with it’s new dedicated call sign of ANARCHY1, also makes a welcome return for 2021, appearing on all 4 days of the festival. Plus you can also catch them performing special dusk displays on the Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT (BBMF)
This historic flight features a LANCASTER, SPITFIRE and HURRICANE and is an impressive sight to see. It is set to appear on all four days.

ULTIMATE WARBIRDS
Returning for 2021 is the Ultimate Warbirds featuring four of the most iconic Warbirds including the Buchon, Spitfire, P-47D Thunderbolt and Mustang.

FIREFLIES AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These RV4 light weight aircraft will be displaying both during the day and at dusk – don’t miss their pyrotechnic displays!

RAF CHINOOK
The mighty Chinook is a firm air festival favourite and returns again this year on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

SUPER PITTS MUSCLE PLANE
Back by popular demand this biplane provides aerial manoeuvres and aerobatics.

AEROSUPERBATICS WINGWALKERS
The world’s only formation wingwalking team perform breathtaking aerobatics of loops, rolls, star turns and an inverted flight!

BRITISH ARMY TIGERS FREEFALL PARACHUTE DISPLAY TEAM
The Tigers will once again be dropping in on the festival with smoke trailing and flags flying.

RED DEVILS PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL FREEFALL TEAM
The official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army. They will be performing dusk jumps plus a special daytime jump on Sunday.

SPITFIRE PS853
One of the best loved British aircraft of all time!

THE BLADES
The Blades are a formation display team made up of predominantly former Red Arrows pilots and are the only civilian team to display at every festival. The team also consists of the only female display pilot at this year’s festival.

RN WILDCAT HELICOPTER
Back for 2021 is a solo Royal Navy Wildcat with their Augusta Westland 159 Wildcat helicopter.

RAZZLE BLADES – CANCELLED
New for 2021 are the Belgium Air Force with their A-109 helicopter with it’s striking camouflage paint scheme.

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘Night Air’ Displays 2021

The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down as the ‘Night Air‘ programme kicks in! On Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings there will be dusk displays from a number of aircraft, many with glowing lights, trailing smoke and sparkling pyrotechnics!

RAF TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM
Catch them performing special dusk displays on the Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

RED DEVILS PARACHUTE REGIMENTAL FREEFALL TEAM
The official parachute display team of both The Parachute Regiment (The Paras) and the British Army. They will be performing dusk jumps on the Thursday, Friday & Saturday.

FIREFLIES AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These guys always thrill with their pyrotechnic displays!

BRITISH ARMY TIGERS FREEFALL PARACHUTE DISPLAY TEAM
See The Tigers once again as they drop in at dusk!

SPITFIRE PS853
The classic aircraft takes to the sky once again.

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘On the Ground’ Attractions 2021

The action doesn’t just happen in the air, there is always plenty going on on the ground too with 1.5 miles of trading stalls and ground displays located between Bournemouth and Boscombe Piers and attractions at Pier Approach, in the Lower Gardens, up on the East Overcliff and in the town square.

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. You may also spot a P2000 in the bay.

Army Village
Also on the beach the Army Village features a number of their land vehicles and equipment including a Gazelle helicopter, a battle tank, infantry quad bike, a armoured vehicle 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, and this year will be home to The Red Arrows and Typhoon trailers, a static Hawk and interactive virtual reality experience! On the East Overcliff you’ll also find the Royal Navy Dive Tank making a popular return, keeping the crowds cool in any warm weather! 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.

Altas Elektronik UK STEM
Integrating the areas and challenges of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, STEM is an approach to learning and development. At the Atlas Elektronik UK STEM marquee you will find a number of the region’s high profile companies and experts specialising in various STEM sectors on hand to speak to and ready to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, researchers, IT specialists and more!

Sunseeker Parade
Not technically on the ground but close by! The Sunseeker Parade is set to take part on Saturday 4th September and is aiming to bring together the largest number of new and classic Sunseeker yachts in a parade along the seafront!⁠ Enthusiasts won’t want to miss this!

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.

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 music from the Prince of Wales Army Band.

The Unarmed Combat Display and Beat Retreat Sunset Ceremony (performed by HM RM Band Collingwood) takes place Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from 6.20pm

On Sunday enjoy the Praise Sunday Service in the Bandstand 9am – 11am, followed by a Royal Navy concert with HM RM Band Collingwood and performance by Prince of Wales Army Band.

Fireworks

No event would be complete without fireworks! Two displays this year – Friday and Saturday at 10.00pm.

And Finally…

The organisers produce an Air Festival souvenir programme which provides details on the full line up and entertainment. Monies raised from the sales are shared amongst the nominated Air Festival charities:
Royal Navy Royal Marines Charity
ABF The Soldiers’ Charity
RAF Association
RAF Benevolent Fund

The programme costs £6 and is available to purchase from local shops from August and at the festival itself. You can also purchase a copy online (P&P charges apply). The programme includes an 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 availabilty so the app will provide up to date information throughout the festival.