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The naturally inspiring sky of the English Riviera is ready to host the Bays flagship event.

The English Riviera Airshow 2025 is set to soar to new heights, with thrilling new editions for the three-day event.

With just over four-weeks until the 2025 English Riviera Airshow (30 May to 1 June), event organisers have announced the full display line-up. Airshow fan favourites and several new thrilling additions promise a captivating weekend of aerial performances and impressive flybys.

For the first time a special Friday night ‘take off’ event will see the classic Spitfire fly across the Bay at dusk; followed by the amazing Fireflies performing a stunning aerial pyrotechnic display. Night, one ends with a firework show at 10pm, with live music throughout the evening on the main event stage, headlined by Funk City Band.

Across Saturday and Sunday, an array of distinguished display teams and individual performers, each bring their own unique expertise and flair to the weekend. Not forgetting they will be joined by the best and most exciting RAF display teams, the Red Arrows, Typhoon and Battle of Britain Memorial Flight.

Flying teams

• The Royal Navy Black Cats Helicopter display team: an exciting duo performance of Wildcat helicopters, showcasing precision, skill, and the unwavering spirit of naval aviation.
• The Army’s Red Devils Parachute display team: from the elite unit of the British Army Parachute Regiment.
• Team Raven: a formation aerobatic display team fluting Vans RV-8 aircraft.
• Aerosuperbatics Wing walkers: known for their breath-taking acrobatics performed on top of the 1940s Boeing Stearman biplanes.
• Harvard Aircraft: an advanced single-engine trainer, which played a pivotal role in preparing aircrew during World War II.
• Rich Goodwin G-JPIT: performs in his high highly modified Pitts Special, known as the ‘Muscle Biplane’.
• Melanie Astles Extra 330: a top aerobatic pilot, performs in her Extra 330SC aircraft.
• Jet Provost: a British jet trainer aircraft that was primarily used by the Royal Airforce (RAF) from 1955 to 1993.
• The Fireflies: perform with two Van’s RV-4 aircraft, featuring a twilight pyrotechnic display (Friday) and daytime displays.
• Spitfire: takes centre stage on Friday evening and returns on Saturday and Sunday.

Spectators will also be treated to a special tribute to the 80^th Anniversary of VE Day on all three days of the Airshow to honour the memory of those who fought in World War II. 

Display times

• Friday – between 20:55pm and 21:20pm
• Saturday – between 2pm and 6pm
• Sunday – between 12pm and 4.15pm

Information about all display teams, including exact flight times can be found in the English Riviera Airshow 2025 Programme which can be purchased via the English Riviera Airshow website. https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/shop/

BBC Introducing

Across all three days there is a huge range of activities and live music acts. On Saturday, BBC Devon will be running the main stage, with ‘BBC Introducing’ stella performances and solo artists, all compared by BBC Introducing Radio host, Daniel Pascoe. Local bands and artists such as Emma Pick, AJ & Elliot, Harbour and Tors, a three-piece indie folk band from Devon are also in the line-up to perform, with more acts yet to be announced.

Event Village

The event village on Paignton Green will be open from 6pm until 10pm on Friday, on Saturday 10am until 10pm, and on Sunday from 10am until 8pm.

Airshow organisers are thrilled that Bays Brewery are ‘on board’, providing the beer at this year’s event. Their involvement highlights our shared commitment to local collaboration and supporting the Torbay community.

In between flying and main stage music acts, explore the STEM marquee which will showcase local Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths developments and businesses, shop at the local craft fair, meet heroes at the Military Village, enjoy a range of food and drink, and for those looking for more high energy activities head to the fun fair and typhoon aircraft flight simulator, which uses real life footage, offering a real experience of the flight displays.

Enhancing your Experience

Enhance your English Riviera Airshow experience by booking official parking and premium seating packages. Take the stress out of finding parking over the weekend, pre-book spaces in our official car parks that are a few minutes’ walk from the event village. Plan ahead and enjoy a hassle-free experience. Book official Airshow parking via: https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/shop/

Visitors are encouraged to plan and ahead and enhance their experience with premium parking and seating available to be booked now: Shop - English Riviera Airshow

The flying display itinerary is being fine tuned and we hope to be able to provide you with a detailed flying schedule, which will include take off times in early May.

For the first time in the Airshow’s history, there will be a special opening night on the Friday before the event (31 May). Members of the public are invited to Paignton Green from 6pm to 10pm where they can kick off the weekend and enjoy a great line-up of live music headlined by The Barefoot Bandits. As with the rest of the Airshow, the opening night is free to attend and there will be plenty of food and drink stands to choose from.  

Music lovers will be pleased to hear that this year’s Airshow will feature live music all weekend from Friday (31 May) to Sunday (2 June) on Paignton Green. Music will fill the air as we showcase incredible acts, BBC Devon introducing artists, and local bands playing into the night. Devon-based 10-piece band Joey the Lips will headline at 9:15pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, Sunday will feature a range of local bands and artists such as Harbour Band, AJ & Elliot and The Vinyl Avengers. To see the full line up of live music and timings visit www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk 

Another new addition for 2024 is our static spitfire. Visitors can see the classic fighter aircraft up close or choose to pose for a professional photograph (charges apply). Meanwhile, the event village will include a new Artisan marquee featuring premium crafts, gifts, food and drinks from local businesses.

This year’s Airshow will also have an event village on Preston Green. Visitors can enjoy a variety of stalls, catering stands and a bar while watching the breathtaking aerial displays taking place over the weekend.

For those who can’t make it in person, Aeroview TV will be covering the English Riviera Airshow live on their Youtube channel. With three cameras to cover the event, it’s a fantastic way to view and listen to the Airshow, especially if you can’t get to the event villages or want to avoid the crowds and noise. To find out more visit https://aeroview.tv/english-riviera-airshow/ 

If you want to enhance your Airshow experience, there is a range of additional paid-for services not seen in previous years. For just £25, enjoy the dedicated seating area filled with deckchairs and reserved for premium seating guests only. Alternatively for £35, you can upgrade to a premium seating package which will give you access to luxury WC facilities so that you don’t need to queue. There is a limited amount of seating, so people are advised to book as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

FURTHER INFORMATION INCLUDING THE AIR DISPLAY SCHEDULE WILL BE AVAILABLE HERE

IN THE AIR

Visitors will be sure to be wowed by the many flying displays throughout the day on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 June.  T

ON THE GROUND

There will be plenty to see and do on the ground in our event village. Experience the thrill of the rides in the funfair, say hello to the many visiting military expert teams and crews, visit the local craft stalls, and re-fuel at the many food and drink stands. There will be plenty of other entertainment too!

ON THE WATER

As well as air and ground displays, there will be a variety of displays and demonstrations on the water.

Or why not experience the thrill of a rib ride, or a more gentle ferry trip across the Bay?

The Event Village will feature air display team stands where visitors can meet the pilots and browse local and national traders featuring everything from artworks, books, toys and more. Family activities, a fairground, food stalls and bars will also add to the Event Village at Paignton Green, making for endless entertainment for visitors looking to make the most of the weekend.

With some of the best seafood restaurants, no shortage of accommodation to suit all budgets, award winning beaches, palm trees and a fantastic choice of indoor and outdoor attractions, there’s no surprise that 165,000 people flock to the Bay to witness the jaw-dropping stunts.

The airshow is completely free (although car parking passes can be purchased) and there are some great clifftop vantage sites across the Bay, as well as Paignton Green itself. If you are staying in Torquay, we would recommend perching up on Daddyhole Plain, while both Beacon Quay, Meadfoot Beach and Thatcher Point are also very popular. If you are over in Brixham, we would highly recommend both Berry Head and Battery Gardens, while more great spots in Paignton include Roundham Head and the end of Paignton Pier. 

The English Riviera Airshow holds significant importance in positioning the English Riviera as a tourist destination. Attracting large crowds from across the UK it has a significant impact on the local community and continues to be supported by the English Riviera BID Company. With so much activity taking place across the two days, visitors are encouraged to come along and make a weekend of it. Book your accommodation via https://www.englishriviera.co.uk/  

With more announcements and updates on display teams to come, follow the English Riviera Airshow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and head to the website. https://englishrivieraairshow.co.uk/