The English Riviera Airshow returns to Paignton seafront next weekend (Friday 29, Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 May), with tens of thousands of visitors expected to flock to Torbay for one of the region’s most spectacular weekends of the year.

Celebrating a milestone 10th anniversary since the Airshow first launched in 2016, this year’s event promises a thrilling three-day programme, featuring a breathtaking line-up of world-class flying displays and a wide range of on-the-ground entertainment.

With so much going on throughout the weekend and large crowds expected, people are encouraged to plan ahead so they can fully experience everything on offer and make the most of the celebration.

The English Riviera Airshow is a collaborative effort supported by Torbay Council, the English Riviera BID Company, local businesses and organisations, and aviation enthusiasts. It is one of the largest events in the Southwest and is completely free to attend.

What's on

This year’s Airshow has an enhanced and extended Friday programme, with plenty going on throughout the day and into the evening to kick-start the long weekend in spectacular style. Visitors are welcome to come along from 2pm on Friday when Paignton seafront will burst into life with event stalls, fun fair rides and live music.

Friday flying will start from approximately 6:45pm with a breath-taking display from the world-famous RAF Red Arrows, followed by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the RAF Tutor.

As darkness descends, the Pyrotechnic Firebirds will deliver a mesmerising flying twilight display filled with colour, sparks and aerial artistry. The evening will conclude with a dazzling fireworks finale over the Bay at approximately 10pm, officially opening the English Riviera Airshow 2026 and setting the tone for an action-packed and unforgettable weekend.

On Saturday and Sunday, the Event Village on Paignton Green will be open from 10am and will be buzzing with activity, packed with attractions, entertainment and stalls for visitors of all ages.

The English Riviera Airshow offers a huge range of entertainment both in the skies and on the ground. Throughout the weekend, visitors can enjoy:

• Thrilling flying displays
• Live music from talented local artists and bands
• Fun fair rides
• Children's activity tents
• Traders Village
• Military village where you can meet RAF, army and navy personnel
• Emergency Services Village where you can meet police and rescue teams and explore specialist vehicles and equipment

Torbay Council will also have their Residents Engagement stand at the Event Village – a great opportunity to connect directly with Council officers, share views, ask questions and learn about local plans and developments. From 11am to 3pm on Saturday and Sunday, there will also be an opportunity for people to have their blood pressure checked by a qualified member of staff from Mayfield Pharmacy. Look out for the Torbay Council gazebo in the Event Village.

Flying displays will take place from approximately 12pm to 4pm on Saturday and approximately 1pm to 4pm on Sunday.

The Red Arrows will take to the skies at 12pm on Saturday, drawing in crowds with their iconic precision flying and dramatic formations. Spectators can also look forward to jaw-dropping displays from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, RAF Tutor, Royal Navy Black Cats and many other civilian and military aircraft teams.

The incredible RAF Typhoon Display Team will be closing the show on both Saturday and Sunday – delivering an amazing finale of speed, power and noise. Spectators can watch the Typhoon display at 3:37pm on Saturday and 3:55pm on Sunday.

On Saturday, the fun continues long after the flying ends. Plenty of attractions, stalls and bars will remain open and live music will fill Paignton Green until 10:30pm. On Sunday, live music, stalls and bars will remain open until 5pm.  

Whether you’re coming for the awe-inspiring flying displays, family-friendly fun or vibrant seaside atmosphere, the English Riviera Airshow 2026 is not to be missed.

Event layout

The Airshow event site will look different this year due to essential sea defence works that are currently taking place along the Paignton and Preston seafront. All the event attractions and facilities will be centred across North Green and Middle Green - South Green will not be in use. Event organisers have worked closely with contractors to ensure the smooth running of the Airshow. All construction work on the site will be paused during the event and construction areas will be made fully secure and safe.

Due to the more compact layout of this year’s event site, some areas of the Airshow may feel busier than usual at peak times. To help keep everyone comfortable and ensure the site remains easy to navigate, organisers have introduced a range of measures to manage the flow of visitors.

A colour-coded zoning system will be in place, with different areas clearly marked by flags and signage. Throughout the day, updates will be shared on the big screen, via announcements on the PA system and across event social media channels, highlighting busier areas and encouraging visitors to explore quieter zones. These measures are designed to help everyone move around the site more easily and enjoy the event in a safe and relaxed environment.

Travel information 

Getting to the Airshow is easy. Frequent bus services will operate around Paignton during the Airshow from across Torbay and further into Devon. Service 12 provides a direct service from Newton Abbot, Torquay and Brixham to Paignton, and the open top double-decker buses will also serve Paignton throughout the day on Service 122. Full details are available by visiting www.stagecoachbus.com.

Torbay Council is funding the extension of Torbay's night bus (the number 12 service) from Torquay into Newton Abbot from Saturday 30 May. This means the service will run between Brixham and Newton Abbot - and in the other direction. We're also funding an additional journey each Saturday on the 22 service from Paignton to St Marychurch, in each direction. More about bus routes, timetables and fares here: Niterider | Stagecoach

By train, Paignton train station is just a six-minute walk from the Event Village and is readily served by our Official Travel Partner GWR, with services running approximately every 30 minutes from Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot. 

If you prefer to drive, it is best to pre-book parking online for a guaranteed space. Parking options include Zone 1 parking, just a 20‑minute walk from the main event, or Premium Parking located in the heart of the action. Both parking options include all‑day parking (9am–11.30pm), plus a free official English Riviera Airshow pin badge and event programme. You can book parking at www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk.

For those thinking of getting a taxi, a number of SIA taxi marshals will be in place on the Paignton Station taxi rank from 9pm to midnight on Friday, 5pm to midnight on Saturday and 4pm to 7pm on Sunday.

Road closures

Please note that a number of road closures and safety and traffic management measures will be put in place to limit vehicular access around Paignton Seafront, Preston Seafront and the surrounding residential areas during the event. Affected roads along with diversion routes will be clearly advertised.

Esplanade Road will be completely closed from 2pm to 10:30pm on Friday, 10am to 10:30pm on Saturday and 10am to 6pm on Sunday.

For more details about road closures and traffic measures visit: Resident & Business Information - English Riviera Airshow

Safety measures 

For safety reasons, visitors are requested not to fly kites or release balloons anywhere near the event site. Under Civil Aviation Authority regulations, it is illegal to fly a drone within four nautical miles of an airshow location. Any unauthorised drone activity will result in the immediate suspension of the Airshow, and the device may be confiscated by authorities. Drone operators may also face prosecution.

Facilities and important information 

Permanent and temporary additional toilets will be available in the Event Village, along with accessible toilets. Please note that some permanent toilets incur a 30p charge.

Disabled access viewing spots for the air displays are situated at the Paignton Green Event Village by the Redcliffe Hotel. 

Dogs are welcome but please always keep them on leads whilst on the event site. 

First Aid points are positioned across the event site and staffed throughout the weekend by trained medical professionals.

The Lost Children Point is located at the Main Visitor Information Hub and will be clearly identified on the day. Families can collect free children’s wristbands, allowing parents or guardians to write a name and contact number. This helps ensure children can be quickly reunited with their family should they become separated.

Water refill stations will be available on site. Please bring your own clean refillable bottles.

Further information on the flying programme, Event Village, pre-booking Airshow car parking tickets and reserved seating, road closures, parking restrictions, disabled access and travel to the event can be found via: www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/ 

Make a weekend of it 

Enjoy three days of exciting free entertainment, experience the English Riviera’s hospitality, and explore everything the area has to offer. Plan your English Riviera Airshow break via www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/ 

The official travel partner Great Western Railway offers direct routes to the English Riviera and the Airshow location. Plan and book your journey via www.gwr.com 

Cllr Jackie Thomas, Torbay Council Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events, and Corporate Services, said: “As we mark 10 years of the English Riviera Airshow, we’re expecting a very busy and exciting weekend. We’ve put measures in place to help manage crowd flow, and we ask visitors to follow guidance on the day so everyone can enjoy the event safely. We look forward to delivering another fantastic Airshow and we invite everyone to come along.’’

Carolyn Custerson, Chief Executive Officer, English Riviera BID Company said: “With new features and even more to see and do throughout the weekend, there are plenty of reasons to spend longer at this year’s Airshow. It’s a great chance to enjoy a full weekend on the English Riviera and enjoy everything that our beautiful Bay has to offer.''