Ayr’s seafront is set to welcome tens of thousands of visitors when the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight returns to the Low Green for two days of aircraft displays and family entertainment.
The 2026 event will take place on Friday, September 4, and Saturday, September 5. Organisers are preparing for large crowds across the Low Green and surrounding areas as aircraft perform over the town’s seafront.
When the displays take place
Friday’s flying programme is scheduled to run from 6.10pm until 8.40pm. Saturday’s displays will take place between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, giving visitors two different opportunities to watch the performances.
The Friday line-up is due to include the Red Arrows, Typhoon FGR Mk4, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team, the Grob 115E, Airborne Pyrotechnics, a Chinook and the Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers.
Further aircraft and teams are expected on Saturday. The programme includes returning performers as well as the Bronco Demo Team, Navy Wings Bulldog, Seafire and Wasp, and the United States Air National Guard C-130J.
Entry, viewing areas and parking
General entry to the International Ayr Show is free. Visitors aged over 18 can also buy Friday Flightline passes for an exclusive area within the Low Green. The pass area is intended to offer aviation enthusiasts and sunset viewers a dedicated place to watch the displays.
The Flightline area includes a key viewing position, tiered outdoor seating, a private bar and VIP toilets. It also has a chill-out zone where visitors can relax while retaining views of the air displays. Drinks will be available from the bar.
Parking is planned at four locations:
- Ayr Racecourse
- Rozelle Estate, on Saturday only
- Seafield, also known as the Old Racecourse
- Blackburn Drive, for Blue Badge holders only
The car parks are scheduled to open from 3.45pm to 10pm on Friday and from 10.15am to 8pm on Saturday. Walking routes will connect each parking location with the festival site.
Getting to the Ayr seafront
Ayr railway station is less than a mile from the Low Green. ScotRail services between Ayr and Glasgow Central run every 30 minutes, with a journey time of just over 50 minutes. Extra carriages are planned on that route during the event weekend.
Stagecoach buses will serve Ayr and the town centre from surrounding areas and further afield. The bus station is 0.4 miles from the festival site, while visitors can check bus timetables on the Stagecoach website.
A park-and-ride shuttle will also operate from Ayr Racecourse and Rozelle Estate. The service is expected to run every five to 10 minutes, offering an alternative to driving directly into the town centre.
