Bournemouth Air Festival

The Bournemouth Air Festival is the UK’s biggest free aviation festival and will take place from 31st August – 3rd September 2023

So what’s on and when?

Please note that displays may be subject to change due to weather conditions and aircraft availability. For updated display information during the festival please purchase an official brochure to access the online timetable.

Where can I purchase a programme?

What’s On Thursday?
What’s On Friday?

What’s On Saturday?

What’s On Sunday?

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘In the Air’ Displays 2023

RAF RED ARROWS
Air festival favourites the Red Arrows will be appearing on all four days –
Thursday 31st Aug – 5.30PM
Friday 1st September – 5.00PM
Saturday 2nd September – 5.00PM
Sunday 3rd September – 2.45PM

RAF TYPHOON DISPLAY TEAM
Another popular attraction! The Typhoon also makes a welcome return for 2023, appearing on all 4 days of the festival.

BATTLE OF BRITAIN MEMORIAL FLIGHT (BBMF)
This historic flight features a LANCASTER, SPITFIRE and HURRICANE and is an impressive sight to see. Set to display on all 4 days.

RAF CHINOOK
The mighty Chinook is a firm air festival favourite and returns again this year. Set to display on Saturday and Sunda.

SUPER PITTS MUSCLE PLANE
Back by popular demand, but with a difference! This biplane has been reengineered to include two massive ATM Lynx jet engines providing even more aerial manoeuvres and aerobatics.

AEROSUPERBATICS WINGWALKERS
The world’s only formation wingwalking team are back after having to successfully ditch in Poole Harbour on the third day of last year’s event. They will be performing breathtaking aerobatics of loops, rolls, star turns and an inverted flight! Set to display on all 4 days.

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

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. Set to display on all 4 days.

OV-10 BRONCO
New for 2023! Specifically designed for the Vietnam War and successfully deployed during the Cold War and Gulf War, the Rockwell OV-10 Bronco is a turboprop light attack and observation aircraft.

NAVY WINGS HISTORIC FLIGHT
Featuring a WASP HAS1 Helicopter and Fairey Swordfish

SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK.XIX
This timeless classic will be gracing the skies

FIREBIRDS AEROBATIC DISPLAY TEAM
These RV4 light weight aircraft will be displaying both during the day and at dusk!

NORWEGIAN HISTORICAL SQUADRON
Back for 2023 with their classic jet, the deHavilland Vampire FB.52

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘Night Air’ Displays 2023

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!

Air festival favourite Brendan O’Brien will be back with ‘Otto’ the Helicopter and set to be mesmerised by the brilliant displays from The Firebirds. 

Plus a special dusk display from the Typhoon!

Bournemouth Air Festival ‘On the Ground’ Attractions 2023

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. Highlights include:

Royal Navy Village
Always a popular attraction the village can be found up 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 featuring a static Hawk display. 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.

STEM (Science Technology, Engineering and Maths) Village
Aiming to inspire the next generation! Local companies, such as the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and Bournemouth-based Centre VR, the largest Virtual Reality centre in the world, will be taking part this year, amongst others.

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 Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines and Unarmed Combat demonstrations from The Commando Recruiting Team.

The HMS Bathtub also returns with its Vintage Garden bar in the Lower Gardens with a wide range of Beers, Ales, Ciders and Gins to enjoy as well as live music throughout the afternoon and evening.

And the Big Screen will be showing family favourites throughout the event.

Fireworks

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

And Finally…

The organisers have produced a special Coronation Air Festival souvenir programme which provides details on the full line up and entertainment.

The programme costs £6.50 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 availabilty so the app will provide up to date information throughout the festival.

You will also be able to watch the festival LIVE online at https://bournemouthair.co.uk/live-stream