Twilight flights to light up the evening skies at Clacton Airshow 2026
23rd July 2026
Clacton Airshow’s dazzling twilight flights are set for a spectacular refresh this summer, with a bold new flight bringing even more drama, colour and excitement to the evening skies.
Staged by Tendring District Council (TDC), the 33rd Clacton Airshow returns on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August, when thousands of visitors are expected to head to the Essex Sunshine Coast for two days of thrilling flying displays, ground attractions and family entertainment.
Taking place on the opening day, this year’s twilight display will be an even more memorable evening experience, blending heritage aircraft, high-energy aerobatics and dazzling pyrotechnics against the backdrop of Clacton seafront.
The refreshed programme will feature the Desert Spitfire, appearing exclusively in the twilight slot on Thursday, alongside crowd favourite Otto the Helicopter’s pyrotechnic display and the ever-popular Firebirds Aerobatic Team.
This year’s twilight flights will be sponsored by Red Nova IT Solutions, helping to support one of the most popular and atmospheric parts of the Clacton Airshow programme.
“The twilight programme is always one of the highlights of Clacton Airshow, and this year we are giving it a fresh twist to make it bigger, bolder and even more memorable.
“As part of our ‘Celebration of Aviation’ theme, the new-look programme will capture the imagination, bringing people together on our seafront to enjoy everything from iconic wartime aircraft to thrilling modern aerobatics and pyrotechnics.
“It is another reason for visitors to spend time on the Essex Sunshine Coast and enjoy the atmosphere, entertainment and spectacle that make Clacton Airshow such a fantastic event.”
At the heart of the new programme is the Desert Spitfire, which will take centre stage in the magical setting of twilight and offer a powerful tribute to one of aviation’s most recognisable aircraft.
The evening spectacle continues with Otto the Helicopter’s pyrotechnic display, combining precision flying with bursts of fire and light to illuminate the seafront sky in a truly distinctive performance.
Meanwhile, the Firebirds Aerobatic Team will bring pace, skill and teamwork to the twilight programme, with a high-energy routine showcasing the thrill of recreational and display flying.
The twilight programme adds to an already impressive flying line-up, including the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF) – appearing in the year of the Spitfire’s 90th anniversary – and the world-famous RAF Red Arrows, performing across both days.
The Clacton Airshow is one of the biggest events on the Essex Sunshine Coast calendar, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. Alongside the flying displays, visitors can enjoy ground-based attractions, food stalls and family-friendly entertainment along the seafront.
For updates and more information about the 2026 Clacton Airshow, visit Clacton Airshow website, follow essexsunshinecoast on Instagram, or go to the official Facebook event.