UPDATE: Sidmouth Air Show 2026 will return to the town on Friday, August 28 and organisers have released full details of the popular event – what time it starts, where you can park and watch.
The annual Regatta Air Show 2026, starts at 4.50pm. In a change to the planned schedule, The Red Arrows are due to carry out three fly-pasts of Sidmouth seafront at around 6.40pm.
The Red Arrows had been due to perform an aerial display, but a change in weather has forced the team to re-think the planned appearance at Sidmouth.
A spokesperson for the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team said:“Due to poor weather into the bank holiday weekend, the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team will be doing all it can to get to planned events and displays.
“However, due to forecasted conditions and also operational constraints impacting which airfields the Red Arrows will be able to use in the coming days, there will be changes to these scheduled performances: Switching the planned Sidmouth Regatta and Airshow display to three flypasts – scheduled at the original venue time of 1840.
“These operational constraints are impacting where the team can base its aircraft this week. As a result, the Red Arrows can’t use the original, planned airfield closer to Sidmouth. This has reduced how long the jets can be in-the-air above Sidmouth as they are more range-limited, coming from further away.”
What to see, Friday, August 28:
- 3pm: Sidmouth’s very own Road Arrows performing two fun displays across the Esplanade.
- 4pm: The main display begins on the water with the Sidmouth and Exmouth Lifeboat demonstration
- To be followed by a Sidmouth Lifeguard team demonstration.
Air show flying times:
- 4.50pm – Stampe Display Team
- 5.15pm – Navy Wings Swordfish
- 5.40pm – Battle of Britain Memorial Flight C47 Dakota
- 6.00pm – AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers
- 6.20pm – Rich Goodwin Jet Pitts Muscle Plane
- 6.40pm – Fly-pasts by Royal Air Force Aerobatic Display Team, The Red Arrows
Where can I park:
In addition to all the usual pay-and-display East Devon District Council car parks, extra car parking is available at:
- Cricket Club from 10am – cost £12
- Rugby Club from 9am – cost £12
- Knowle Arena from 12noon – cost £10
Road closures and parking restrictions:
- The whole of Sidmouth seafront/Peak Hill, from the Port Royal to the junction with Manor Road, will be closed to all traffic from midday until 9pm, Friday, August 28. Diversions will be in place.
- Port Royal – will be closed to traffic from 12noon Friday, August 28, until 9pm Monday, August 31, for Regatta activities across the weekend.
Esplanade (Ham Lane to Fore Street) – Saturday, August 29, 8.45pm until 9.45pm for the Firework Display. - Friday, August 28, 12noon until 9pm – Manor Road, Station Road between the Esplanade and Ice House Lane, All Saints Road, Radway, Vicarage Road, Temple Street and Arcot Road, The Triangle, Redwood Road..
Where to watch:
Sidmouth seafront, Salcombe and Peak Hills; Connaught Gardens. Donations will be taken through bucket collections and contactless payment.
Watching from the water:
A temporary Air Display Water Safety Zone (ADWSZ) will be in force – and patrolled – on the water offshore of Sidmouth Beach. No vessels will be permitted in this area between 3.30pm and the end of the air show display, at around 7.05pm The ADWSZ will be marked by coloured buoys and patrolled by Sidmouth Lifeboat and associated craft. The restriction does not apply to the emergency services.
A failure to comply with the restriction could result in the air display being delayed, cut short or even cancelled.
The water restriction zone. Image: with permission Sidmouth Town Council.
Regatta programme:
Saturday, August 29:
Sailing races, surf lifesaving, treasure hunt, return of the three-legged event, tug-of-war, fancy dress raft race and grand fireworks display.
Raft race competitors from 2019.
Photo: East Devon News
Sunday, August 30:
Nautical-themed fun – sailing races, Gig Club Regatta and the Sea Shanty Singers
Local food and drink, a Red Arrows flight simulator and merchandise can be found on The Ham throughout the weekend.
Entertainment on The Ham includes a a Red Arrows flight simulator. Photo: East Devon News.
The Regatta Grand Draw has prizes including VIP all-day tickets to the 2027 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival and tickets to headline performances at the Sidmouth Folk Festival 2027. Draw tickets are available from Sidmouth Tourist Information Centre and Sidmouth Cricket Club. Every ticket bought will help support the future of the Sidmouth Regatta Airshow.
To volunteer to collect air show donations from the public, email the town council: towncouncil@sidmouth.gov.uk or call 01395 512424.
The air show performances rely on aircraft availability and weather conditions. For up-to-date information see here, or the town council’s website.
*Updated: Friday, August 28 at 3.12pm.
Sidmouth Airshow announces Red Arrows will return to the town for summer 2026
