The Wales Airshow returns to Swansea Bay this Saturday and Sunday, 25 and 26 July — with a new evening show making its debut.
Swansea Council, which runs the event, says the free two-day airshow attracts more than 200,000 visitors to the bay.
The show is in a new slot this year, having moved to late July to avoid a clash with Swansea’s Ironman weekend.
In the skies, returning favourites include the RAF Typhoon, the RAF Tutor and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight — whose wartime Dakota, Hurricane and Spitfire are all set to appear.
The civilian line-up features the Rolls-Royce Spitfire, Jett Pitts, the Firebirds, the Gazelle Squadron, and the WWII Swordfish and Cold War Wasp helicopter pairing.
Appearing over Swansea Bay for the first time are the Strike Master Pair and the Otto Helicopter.
There’s one notable absence: the Red Arrows are not on the bill this year.
The big addition for 2026 is Wales Airshow: Afterburn — an evening show exclusive to Saturday, starting at 8.30pm.
The council says the sunset displays will include pyrotechnic performances from the Otto Helicopter and aerial manoeuvres from the Firebirds, complete with fireworks — plus the glow of the Typhoon’s afterburners over the bay.
The evening ends with a choreographed 200-drone display celebrating Swansea through images of the city’s landmarks and history, set to music and finishing with fireworks.
On the ground, the event runs from 10am to 6pm each day, with flight simulators, VR experiences, military displays, live music, a funfair, market stalls and food and drink along the seafront.
A ticketed viewing area, the Flight Deck, offers seating for both days and evening tickets for Afterburn, bookable through the airshow website.
Road closures start at noon on Friday, with the usual westbound closure of Oystermouth Road from its junction with West Way to Brynmill Lane — the full list of closures and parking bans is already in place for the weekend.
Getting there without a car is free: buses across Swansea are free every Saturday and Sunday from this weekend until the August bank holiday, with late services running for the Saturday night show.
Rail passengers face a complication: improvement works are taking place on the airshow weekend, and anyone travelling on the London Paddington to Swansea route is advised to check for the latest service updates before setting off.
For drivers, park and ride facilities are in place and parking can be pre-booked through the airshow website.
Free lost child wristbands will be available from information points, car park staff, cadets and stewards along the promenade, and from the police and fire service stands at the Cenotaph.
Emergency access will be maintained throughout, including to the Marina, Singleton Hospital and Swansea University, with first aid points run by St John Ambulance.
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