Day Trips Lancashire

Blackpool Airshow 2025: A Memorable Family Day Out

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Seven Red Arrows jets breaking outwards from a central point, trailing plumes of red, white, and blue smoke that converge below in a cloud.
The breathtaking moment of the ‘Bomb Burst,’ where the jets separate in a colourful explosion of red, white, and blue smoke.
Two Red Arrows jets flying in formation, one emitting blue smoke and the other red smoke, against a dark, cloudy sky.
A dramatic dual-aircraft pass by the Red Arrows, leaving trails of red and blue smoke that evoke the colours of the Union Flag.
Five Red Arrows jets flying low in a echelon formation, trailing a long, horizontal band of red, white, and blue smoke over a deep purple haze.
The Red Arrows execute a low-level pass, leaving a vibrant, layered ribbon of red, white, and blue smoke across the sky.
Six Red Arrows jets in a staggered formation, trailing alternating red and blue smoke, with a single seagull flying in the foreground against a cloudy sky.
An unexpected guest! A seagull flies alongside the Red Arrows, who are trailing red and blue smoke, providing a sense of scale to the formation.
Nine Red Arrows jets flying in a perfect diamond shape formation, with white smoke trails, against a mostly blue sky with scattered white clouds.
Precision personified: The iconic Red Arrows Diamond Nine formation, showcasing the incredible close-proximity flying of the team.
Nine Red Arrows jets ascending in a tight, curved formation through a cloudy sky, leaving white and red smoke trails that form a sweeping arc.
The full Red Arrows formation executing a sweeping vertical break, leaving a beautiful spiral of white and red contrails against the cloud cover.

Blackpool Airshow: A First-Time Family Adventure

It’s the big six-week school holidays in England, so we decided to treat Oscar to his very first airshow. Our choices were Blackpool or Southport, but having been to both, we knew Southport’s single-track roads and slow-moving traffic would be a nightmare. Blackpool was the obvious choice—not only easier to get in and out of, but also packed with family-friendly attractions and activities.

Held every summer along the iconic Blackpool seafront, the airshow draws crowds from across the UK, featuring spectacular aerobatic displays, military jets, and thrilling parachute teams. It’s one of the highlights of the year for families and aviation fans alike.

Getting There

We left home at 8:00 AM and by 10:30 AM, we were parked just outside Blackpool, hopping into an Uber to make our way to the Tower promenade. Everywhere was absolutely rammed—I haven’t seen this many people in Blackpool in years. Families, groups of friends, and aviation enthusiasts had all turned out, creating a buzzing, electric atmosphere. Unfortunately, the 30 mph winds meant some of the aerial acts, including the Red Devils, had to cancel. I had been looking forward to the Red Devils, the Army’s world-class parachute display team, so that was a bit of a disappointment.

First Stop: North Pier Lounge Bar

On arrival, the first order of business was a pit stop, so we headed to the North Pier Lounge Bar. With the airshow not starting until 2:00 PM, we had plenty of time for a quick drink before exploring the airshow village. Oscar, ever the gadget fan, was more than happy to sit and play games on his tablet while we relaxed. The smell of coffee, fried snacks, and salty sea air drifted through the bar, hinting at the excitement outside.

Meeting the Red Arrows

Once refreshed, we visited the RAF Red Arrows stand. Oscar was absolutely buzzing when he got an official baseball cap and a genuine kids’ flight suit. He immediately put it on, beaming from ear to ear. The queue to sit in an RAF Hawk jet was around 1.5 hours, but Oscar entertained himself with other kids while we waited. There were smiles, laughter, and even a few new friendships forming as children shared toys and stories while waiting in line. Seeing him finally climb into the cockpit, dressed as a Red Arrows pilot, made every minute of the wait worthwhile.

A young boy in a green jacket standing in front of a full-size, bright red Royal Air Force Red Arrows jet on static display, with the Blackpool Tower structure in the background.
Oscar poses with the iconic Red Arrows BAE Hawk jet, with the grand architecture of Blackpool serving as a backdrop.
A British soldier in camouflage handing a small item to a young boy in a red cap near a Red Arrows jet display, with a family group watching.
A moment of connection as a soldier interacts with Oscar near the Red Arrows static display.
A close-up of an adult's hand gently resting on a child's shoulder, with the child wearing a red suit with a clear Union Jack patch embroidered on it.
A close-up capturing a moment of care, highlighted by the vibrant Union Flag patch on Oscars red suit.
A young boy in a red Red Arrows cap and suit sitting happily in the cockpit of a jet on display, smiling directly at the camera.
Future Red Arrow! The joy of sitting in the pilot’s seat of a BAE Hawk jet.
A young boy in a Red Arrows suit and cap sitting in a cockpit and intently examining the detailed instrument panel of the jet.
Getting to grips with the controls! An inside look at the complex instrument panel of a Red Arrows Hawk T1.
A wide view of the cockpit with a young boy sitting inside, smiling, surrounded by the jet's control panel and a crowd in the background.
The view from the top: A happy pilot takes his position in the full cockpit environment.

The Airshow Begins

At 2:00 PM, the Red Arrows opened the show. The roar of engines filled the air as they streaked past Blackpool Tower at around 300 mph, smoke trailing elegantly behind them. Oscar, perched on my shoulders with ear defenders securely on, watched in awe, kicking and waving his arms. His shouts of excitement were contagious, and I couldn’t help but smile at his sheer joy.

Taking photos with him on my shoulders was a challenge, but capturing his reactions—the wide eyes, the pointing fingers, the laughter—was worth every wobble. Watching the Red Arrows was also a nostalgic experience for me; I remember sitting on my dad’s shoulders over fifty years ago, and now sharing the same thrill with Oscar. Their nine-aircraft display remains one of the most spectacular and exciting routines in the world, and they didn’t disappoint.

A young boy in a red flight suit curled up asleep on a black bag on the patterned floor of the air show site, surrounded by standing adults.
Too much excitement! A quick nap is needed after a day of plane spotting and cockpit exploration.

Fun at Central Pier

After the display, we headed to Central Pier to let Oscar burn off some energy. He had fun with the amusement rides and video games, though at his age, some rides were just out of reach. He made a few funny faces on the MINI Miami ride, looking slightly green at one point, but quickly pulled himself together and kept smiling. We also spotted the flashing lights, arcade games, and small rides for younger children, which kept him entertained for over an hour.

It was a perfect reminder that family days out aren’t just about the main attraction—the journey, the little discoveries, and the shared laughter make them truly special.

Practical Tips for Visiting

If you’re planning to visit Blackpool Airshow with kids, a few tips can help:

  • Arrive early to secure parking close to the promenade.
  • Bring ear defenders for little ones—the roar of jets is intense.
  • Pack snacks or money for food stalls, as queues can get long.
  • Check the weather and wind forecasts—some displays may be canceled.
  • Allow plenty of time for the piers and other family-friendly attractions.

Heading Home

We were lucky with the weather for most of the day, though as we left Central Pier around 4:00 PM, a light rain began to drizzle. A quick pub stop was thwarted by bouncers at all the family-friendly options, so we decided to call it a day. An Uber took us back to the car, and Oscar fell asleep almost immediately—waking up only the next morning at 7:00 AM, still buzzing from the day’s excitement.

Final Thoughts

A brilliant family day out—airplanes, fun, nostalgia, and endless smiles. It reminded me that sometimes the simplest experiences—watching your child’s wonder and joy—are the most unforgettable moments of all.

A young boy dressed head-to-toe in a red Red Arrows flight suit and cap, standing on a patterned promenade or floor.
Dressed for the display! Very proud in a full Red Arrows flight suit and matching cap.

Useful Information:

  • 🌎 Location: Blackpool, a classic seaside resort in Lancashire, North West England.
  • ℹ️ Details: Known as the UK’s favourite seaside resort.
  • ✨ Signature Event: The town is world-renowned for the Blackpool Illuminations.
  • 🏢 Central Landmark: The Blackpool Tower, an Eiffel Tower-inspired structure built in 1894.
  • 📍 Satnav (Tower): Promenade, Blackpool FY1 4BJ
  • 🧭 Coordinates 53.81598418631024, -3.055205002528064
  • 💬 Access Tip: The Blackpool Tramway runs the entire length of the promenade.
  • 🌐 Official Link: Visit Blackpool Official Tourist Information

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