High-Flying Action: Ocean City Air Show Weekend Returns Sept. 19–20

Looking for one last high-energy weekend before the calendar turns to autumn? Look up.

Ocean City’s skies will come alive this weekend, Sept. 19 and 20, as the resort hosts its annual Air Show Weekend. With early forecasts calling for sunny skies and mild coastal breezes, thousands of spectators are expected to flock to the beach, boardwalk, and bay for a packed two-day lineup of classic aviation displays, pyrotechnic skydiving, and world-class aerobatics.

Most notably for families visiting “America’s Greatest Family Resort,” outdoor air shows and festivals are entirely free to enjoy.

Here is your complete guide to catching all the action this weekend.

Saturday, Sept. 19: Airport Festival & Night Skydiving

Ocean City Airport Festival

• When: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Where: Ocean City Municipal Airport (26th Street & Bay Avenue)
• Admission: Free

The weekend kicks off at the bayfront airport, where visitors can get up close to a rare selection of World War II planes, vintage warbirds, and historic civilian aircraft.

Festival attendees can enjoy food vendors, live music, and city vehicle displays alongside the aircraft. Families with young children will find numerous activities such as face-painting, airplane and coloring contests (from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.), helicopter rides for purchase, and appearances by town mascots Martin and Mollie Mollusk.

Highlights at the Airport:

• Noon Skydiving Demo: Weather permitting, Team Fastrax — known as “America’s Skydiving Team” — will land on the airfield at 12:00 p.m. This year, Boardwalk Merchants Association President Wes Kazmarck will participate in a special tandem jump with the team.
• Runway Run/Walk: Right after the noon parachute drop, participants of all ages can put on their sneakers for a half-mile fun run or walk along the airport runway — a rare opportunity to walk on ground usually reserved exclusively for aircraft.
• Parking Tip: Parking at the airport is limited. Additional parking will be available on Shelter Road (off Tennessee Avenue), with complimentary shuttle buses running directly to the airport entrance.

The Righteous Brothers & The Ocean City Pops

• When: 7:30 p.m.
• Where: Ocean City Music Pier (Moorlyn Terrace & Boardwalk)
• Tickets: Available at oceancityvacation.com/boxoffice, the Music Pier Box Office, or by calling 609-399-6111.

The Righteous Brothers, a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame duo, will join the Ocean City Pops orchestra for the season’s grand finale. Audience members will enjoy a special intermission bonus: the indoor concert will pause at 8:00 p.m., allowing attendees to step outside onto the loggia and watch the evening’s beachside parachute jump.

Boardwalk Parachute Pyrotechnic Show

• When: 8:00 p.m.
• Where: 7th Street Beach (visible along the entire Boardwalk)

As night falls, all eyes will shift toward the ocean. Team Fastrax parachuters will leap from an aircraft 6,000 feet above the coast, lighting up the dark sky with trailing, multi-colored pyrotechnics as they descend in close formation. The jump culminates with a sand landing on 7th Street Beach, easily visible from anywhere along the boardwalk.

Sunday, Sept. 20: Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show

• When: 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Ocean City Beach & Boardwalk
• Prime Viewing: 5th Street to 14th Street

Sunday afternoon features the weekend’s highlight: the Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show. Top stunt pilots and aerobatic champions from across the country will perform daring maneuvers over the Atlantic Ocean, including precision loops, rapid rolls, and smoke trails, all just offshore.

This year’s performer lineup features:

• Team Fastrax
• Kevin Russo
• The Jersey Jerks
• Robert “Rooster” Schmidle
• Dougherty Air Shows

Spectators should arrive early with beach chairs and blankets, especially in the prime viewing area between 5th Street and 14th Street.

Know Before You Go

• Weather Policy: No rain dates are planned. Although forecasts appear perfect now, all flight demonstrations rely on safe wind and cloud conditions and might be adjusted or canceled if safety needs arise.
• The Airport Festival, the evening pyrotechnic jump, and the Sunday aerobatics show are completely free for all attendees.