Aerial Extravaganza: What to Expect at the Midlands Air Festival 2025
Imagine stepping onto the sprawling grounds of Ragley Hall Estate in Warwickshire, the air buzzing with excitement as the Midlands Air Festival 2025 prepares to take flight. This isn’t just another airshow—it’s a three-day celebration of aviation that blends the roar of historic warbirds, the grace of aerobatic displays, and the serene beauty of over 100 hot air balloons lifting off into the sky. Set for May 30 to June 1, this event promises a spectacle that stands out on the UK circuit, delivering rare aircraft displays and a unique fusion of aerial thrills you won’t find anywhere else.
What makes this festival special is its knack for surprising even the most seasoned aviation fans. Nestled in the heart of the Midlands, it brings together aircraft that rarely grace British skies, alongside a vibrant mix of hot air balloon launches that paint the horizon with colour. Whether you’re there for the thunder of military jets or the gentle ascent of balloons at dawn, the Midlands Air Festival offers a weekend brimming with wonder, set against the stunning backdrop of a historic estate.
Ragley Hall Estate, the festival’s home, is more than just a venue—it’s a character in the story. This 17th-century mansion, surrounded by 400 acres of lush parkland and gardens, feels like it was made for an event of this scale. Located in Warwickshire, its south-facing public area offers a prime view of the temporary airfield where aircraft land and take off, giving visitors a front-row seat to the action. The estate’s timeless charm pairs perfectly with the modern marvels and vintage icons soaring overhead, creating an atmosphere that’s both grand and welcoming.
This isn’t your typical UK airshow, and that’s by design. While many events focus solely on planes or balloons, the Midlands Air Festival marries the two in a way that’s rare and refreshing. You’ll see aircraft that seldom appear at airshows in Britain—like the Aero L-29 Delfín, which might just be the only one of its kind displaying in the UK this year—alongside international gems that have crossed borders to be here. Add in the mass balloon ascents, a pyrotechnic Nightfire show, and a lineup that spans history and innovation, and you’ve got an event that keeps you looking skyward from dawn to dusk.
The festival kicks off on Friday, May 30, with gates opening at 11:30 AM. The day starts gently, with hot air balloons tethering on the ground—some sporting quirky special shapes that delight the crowd. By mid-afternoon, the air displays take over, showcasing a mix of warbirds, jets, and aerobatics. As evening falls, the real magic begins: at 6:45 PM, over 100 balloons lift off in a mass ascent, followed by the Nightfire show. Picture aircraft streaking through the twilight with pyrotechnics trailing from their wings, a hot air balloon glow pulsing to music, and a firework finale that lights up the night. It’s a sensory overload you won’t forget.
Saturday and Sunday shift gears with early starts—gates open at 5:30 AM for those eager to catch the 6:00 AM balloon ascents. There’s something surreal about sipping a coffee as dozens of balloons drift upward, their vibrant hues catching the morning light. The days roll on with large model aircraft displays, including a jaw-dropping 55% scale Yak 54 flown by expert Steve Carr and a warbird battle scene from the TJD Display Team. Afternoon airshows bring the heavy hitters, while evening balloon ascents close out each day—Sunday’s featuring a special shapes display to cap the weekend.
The aircraft lineup is where the festival truly shines, starting with its historic fleet. The Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress Sally-B, a World War II legend, thunders overhead on Saturday and Sunday. Known for its role in the Allied bombing campaigns, its four engines and rugged frame are a living piece of history. Then there’s the North American T-6 Harvard from T6 Harvard Ltd, a wartime trainer with a distinctive growl, showing off its agility both days.
One of the rarest sights is the Aero L-29 Delfín from Fast Jets Ltd, a sleek Czechoslovakian jet trainer from the 1960s. Its appearance on Saturday and Sunday is a big deal—possibly the only time you’ll see it at an airshow in the UK this year. Equally iconic is the Supermarine Spitfire PR.XIX from the Rolls-Royce Heritage Flight, a photo-reconnaissance version of the famous fighter, gracing all three days with its elegant lines and griffon engine roar.
From Historic Helicopters comes the Westland Sea King HAR3, performing Search and Rescue demos on Saturday and Sunday. This Royal Navy and RAF veteran highlights the unsung heroes of aviation. Crossing the Channel, the Canadair CL-13B (F-86E) Sabre Mk6 from France’s Mistral Warbirds makes its festival debut after last year’s weather cancellation, bringing Cold War flair to the weekend. And from the farthest reaches, the Douglas R4D ‘Ready 4 Duty’ from the U.S. Commemorative Air Force joins the fray, part of its Navy to Victory Tour 2025, with flypasts all three days.
The civilian lineup is a thrill-seeker’s dream, led by Richard Goodwin in his Jet Pitts S-2S. This souped-up aerobatic biplane tears through the sky on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing Goodwin’s daredevil precision. For something different, the Calidus Autogyro from Gyro Air Displays blends helicopter and fixed-wing traits, offering a nimble display across all three days.
Lauren Wilson marks her return to airshow flying with the Pitts S-1S Special, her graceful yet gutsy routine lighting up Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Meanwhile, Bob Grimstead bids farewell to the circuit in his Fournier RF 4, with displays all three days—including a Friday night pyro show that’ll send sparks flying into his retirement.
Germany’s Team Niebergall, a father-son duo, debuts in the UK with two SIAI Marchetti SF-260s, their synchronised aerobatics a testament to skill and family ties. Austria’s Flying Bulls bring the BO 105 C helicopter back after last year’s weather woes, flipping and twisting through the skies all weekend. The Airborne Pyrotechnics team lights up Friday night with the Silence Twister solo display, while Chris Burkett’s Extra 300S dazzles both day and night, with a pyro display Friday.
Celebrating its 80th anniversary, the Bell 47 brings eight variants for flypasts and static displays all three days—its bubble canopy a nostalgic nod to helicopter history. Captain Bruce’s Ballistic Barnstormers make their display debut, evolving from the Mono Display Team (seen at Midlands in 2023 and 2024) with two Taylor Monoplanes, a Steen Skybolt, and a Stampe-Vertongen SV.4. The AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers return with their Boeing-Stearman biplanes, defying gravity all weekend, while Lee Kingman’s Cassutt IIIM—a tiny racer flown by a veteran mechanic turned pilot—adds speed and heart to the mix.
The Royal Air Force pulls out all the stops, starting with the Red Arrows and their nine BAE Hawk T1s. Their red, white, and blue trails streak across the sky all three days, a precision masterpiece. On Friday, two Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4s from 29 (R) Squadron roar through flypasts, showcasing modern combat power.
After a tough 2024 grounded by a Spitfire crash and maintenance delays, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight returns triumphantly with the Avro Lancaster B1, Supermarine Spitfire, and Hawker Hurricane IIc, flying all three days. The RAF Tutor Display Team’s Grob Tutor T1 and the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team round out the military showcase, blending training finesse with daring drops.
A few aircraft didn’t make the cut this year. The Bell TAH-1 Cobra from the Flying Bulls was sidelined by technical issues, replaced by the Westland Sea King HAR3. The two Grob 109s from Airborne Pyrotechnics gave way to the Silence Twister for Friday night’s pyro display, with Bob Grimstead’s Fournier RF 4 stepping in Saturday daytime. The Douglas Dakota III from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight was swapped out, letting the Lancaster take the spotlight all three days.
There’s plenty to enjoy on the ground too. The Cameron Arena—named for Don Cameron, a titan of UK ballooning—lets you get within arm’s reach of special-shape balloons, with expert commentary bringing the experience to life. Trade stands, kids’ rides, and food vendors keep the energy up, while camping options (starting at £120 for a non-electric tent pitch) let you stay immersed for all three days.
Tickets are moving fast and won’t be sold at the gate, so act quick. A one-day adult ticket starts at just £35, with teens at £17.50 and kids under 12 free. Multi-day deals sweeten the pot—£63 for two days or £89 for three. With numbers dwindling, this is one event you don’t want to miss.
As the final balloons drift away on Sunday evening, the Midlands Air Festival 2025 will leave you with a head full of memories and a heart full of awe. It’s a rare chance to see aviation’s past, present, and future collide in one stunning weekend. Book now—because a show this good won’t wait.
For more details, visit our preview page by clicking here or the Midlands Air Festival's official website to get more information and purchase your tickets by clicking here.
Share This Post
Copy the URL below and paste it into your favorite platform to share this post with your friends!
Copied to clipboard!