Tens of thousands of visitors are set to attend the English Riviera Airshow next weekend, with a spectacular line-up of action-packed entertainment for all ages. This year, the Airshow will ‘Take Off’ at 6pm, Friday 30 May, with an exciting opening night featuring live music, flying displays and fireworks – free and open to everyone.
On Saturday 31 May and Sunday 1 June, head down to Paignton Green for an exhilarating weekend as some of the UK’s most iconic aircraft take to the skies. This includes performances from:
- The RAF Red Arrows
- The RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight
- The RAF Typhoon
- The Royal Navy Black Cats
- The British Army’s Red Devils Parachute Display Team
On the ground, activities throughout the weekend include:
- Live music
- Entertainment acts
- A STEM Marquee
- Military Vehicles
- A Military Village
- Artisan Craft Fair
- Typhoon Simulator
- An extensive variety of food and drink stalls
This two-day extravaganza is free to attend. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Torbay coastline, the event is growing year on year with 2025’s exciting new elements promising to keep you entertained late into the evening.
Travel Information
Getting to the Airshow is easy. If you’re traveling by bus, services will operate throughout Paignton on both days, connecting the Airshow with locations across Torbay and further into Devon. Service 12 provides a direct route from Newton Abbot, Torquay, and Brixham to Paignton. Open-top double-decker buses will also serve Paignton on Service 122. For further details, visit www.stagecoachbus.com.
By train, Paignton train station is just a six-minute walk from the Event Village and is readily served by the Official Travel Partner GWR, with services running approximately every 30 minutes from Exeter St Davids and Newton Abbot.
If you prefer to drive, ensure to pre-book parking online for guaranteed space. Premium parking is available for £35, while Parking Zone 1 costs £25. All parking includes an Official Programme and a Limited Edition 2025 English Riviera Airshow badge. Official parking opens at 8amand closes at 11:30pm.
Book your parking at www.englishrivieraairshow.co.uk.
Please note that road closures and safety measures will be implemented from 11am to 7pm on Saturday and Sunday, limiting vehicle access around Paignton seafront. Details will be clearly posted, and motorists are encouraged to seek alternative parking options.
Disabled parking is available at Victoria Car Park, Colin Road Car Park, and Hyde Road Car Park. These car parks are a short walk from the Event Village, with early arrival recommended.
Safety Measures
For safety reasons, please refrain from flying kites or balloons in Torbay. The Civil Aviation Authority prohibits drones within four nautical miles of the Airshow site; violations may result in suspension of the event and confiscation of equipment.
Facilities and important information
Additional toilets will be available in the Event Village, along with accessible toilets, and an information point.
Disabled access viewing spots for the air displays will be situated at the Eastern Esplanade (Harbour End) and the Paignton Green Event Village by the Redcliffe Hotel along Eastern Esplanade, either side of Paignton Pier.
Dogs are welcome but please always keep them on leads whilst on the event site.
First Aid points are located at both the North and South of Paignton Green.
The lost children’s point is located on Pier Approach.
Clean, safe drinking water will be available on site. Please bring your own clean refillable bottles. Hand washing facilities are provided alongside all toilets.
What’s on
Members of the public are invited to the opening night on Friday 30 May.
Head down to Paignton Green from 6pm to 10pm to celebrate the Take Off and enjoy a great line-up of live music headlined by The Funk City Band.
The evening will see a Spitfire flypast at dusk, then prepare to be dazzled by The Fireflies spectacular pyrotechnic display. The grand finale of Friday will feature a fireworks display at 10pm, sponsored by Anderton and Rowland Fun Fairs.
As with the entirety of the Airshow, the opening night is free to attend and there will be plenty of food and drink stands to choose from.
On Saturday 31 May, flying will take place from:
- 2pm to 4pm
- 4:30pm to 6pm
The RAF Red Arrows will be closing the show on Saturday, as they soar into the Bay with their iconic, nine-aircraft show.
On Sunday 1 June, flying will take place from:
- 12pm to 1:15pm
- 1:50pm to 2:55pm
- 3:20pm to 4:15pm
Once again, spectators will be treated to roaring aerial displays and flybys by a range of modern and historical aircraft. The RAF Red Arrows will open the show, with the RAF Typhoon and the Army’s elite parachute display team, the Red Devils, closing our 2025 flying display.
Both weekend days of the Airshow will feature an array of on-the-ground entertainment to keep everybody entertained between aerial displays.
Music will fill the air through showcasing incredible acts, BBC Devon introducing artists, and local bands playing into the night on both Saturday and Sunday.
BBC Radio Host Daniel Pascoe will host the BBC Introducing stage on Saturday night with headliner Tors expected to draw a crowd. Sunday night will feature a range of local artists with the band Harbour headlining.
The Event Village on Paignton Green will be open from 10am on both days. The Village will be packed with rides, carnival stalls, local and national traders, and a wide variety of food and drink stalls.
You can also see stands from visiting RAF, Navy, and Army crews in the Military Village, alongside Military vehicles, as we honour the 80th anniversary of the Victory in Europe Day.
Torbay Council will also be holding its Residents Engagement Event at the Event Village. The engagement events allow Torbay Council to listen to residents and provide information and discussion on council plans and local concerns. These events also provide the opportunity for people to feedback on improving council services.
The focus for this engagement event is the local sea defence and regeneration schemes. People should look out for the Torbay Council gazebo at the event village, where Councillors and Council Officers will be on hand from 10am to 4pm.
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
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