Cocoa Beach Florida Air Show
Ever felt the ground shake while a plane buzzed overhead or watched jets fly so close you thought their wings may touch? Come to the Cocoa Beach Florida Air Show to see the thrills and sweet surprises from the Air Force Thunderbirds and an impressive lineup of air show planes that will dazzle and keep you at the edge of your beach chair!
This year’s show will be the hottest ticket on the Space Coast. If you’re a local, turn the event into a fantastic family outing – better yet, jazz it up with a weekend staycation at a Cocoa Beach Hotel or grab dinner at a Cocoa Beach Pier restaurant nearby! If you’re visiting from out-of-town, add it to your list of things to do in Cocoa Beach...Keep reading for 10 more reasons to go!
1. More Acts and Planes. The lineup promises 11 acts including the U.S. Airforce Thunderbirds, F-22 Raptor Demo Team, B-52 Bomber, Geico Skytypers, Douglas C-47 Tico Bell, Socom Para-Commandos, Mike Wiskus, TBM Avenger, North American SNJ-4, John Black, and N2S Steerman. Whether you’re an undercover flying fanatic or already all in on the action, the impressive list of air show planes is not for the faint of heart and will get plenty of oohs and ahhs!
2. Awesome Family-Friendly Thing-to-do. Turn the air show into a fun family outing! This is what quality time and fond family memories are made of – it could even make an impression and inspire another generation of pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, or Avionics rock stars. Don’t forget to take plenty of videos and lots of Insta-pics to share so the family can always remember this fantastic day.
3. Excellent Hotels. Coming into town and searching for Cocoa Beach hotels? We have the perfect spot in mind. It doesn’t get better than staying at the luxurious seaside hotel aka Westgate Cocoa Beach Resort just a mile away from the Lori Wilson Park, the official airshow viewing area. Each two- and four-bedroom unit comes with a full kitchen (should you wish to make your own food), more than enough space for 6-12 guests, an onsite water park, and a quick shuttle ride to the long list of restaurants at the famous Cocoa Beach Pier.
4. Treat for Flying Enthusiasts and AvGeeks. There are many among us who have a calling to fly and a passion for aviation living in their heart. If this sounds like you, well, you’re in for a treat. Get your ticket from the official event website, grab your lounge chair or beach tent, choose your favorite spot on the sand, and watch the perfect weekend come together!
5. Many Places to Watch. The official place to watch the air show is Lori Wilson Park and depending on your budget, you can purchase tickets for the Drop Zone, Flight Line Club VIP, or VIP Penthouse at different prices. Another option is to find your own spot with a good view in a free public area on the north or south coast. This will help you save a few dollars, so be sure to head out early and begin your search before the excitement begins.
6. Not one - but 2 days! Whether you choose one day that fits your schedule or double the pleasure by attending on both days, the major acts are set to perform in their glory on Saturday and Sunday. The beach area will be open from 10:00 am with the aerial portion running from noon to 3:30 pm.
7. Jaw-Dropping Maneuvers. Buckle up and hold on to your beach chair, you’re in for the flight of a lifetime. See impressively built, expertly controlled aircrafts flown by professional pilots who stun with gravity-defying feats. And, as if these maneuvers don’t get your heart pumping and adrenaline soaring enough when you witness planes flying too close for comfort – watching the elite Para-Commandos of the Special Operations Forces from the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team jump out of the aircraft, will be downright terrifying and exciting!
8. Chance to see for yourself – not just watch from your couch. For most of us, our interaction with planes is limited to commercial flights and TSA lines, but the air show gives firsthand and real-life exposure to the awesomeness of aviation technology. It’s also a chance to bond with the family, get some fresh air or ocean breeze, and enjoy a treat outside of our everyday routine.
9. Cocoa Beach Pier. The Cocoa Beach Pier is an attraction in and of itself! After the show ends and everyone’s longing for a meal or want to keep the excitement going, head over to a certain well-known pier that has fabulous seafood restaurants, delicious drinks, tasty desserts, beach volleyball, fishing, and the best surfing on the East Coast!
10. Bucket List Worthy Adventure. An air show is the kind of bucket-list exploit and timeless conversation piece that can fuel tales of a day you saw amazing spellbinding feats. Whether as a networking subject, bragging piece, or cool addition to life experiences, this topic is sure to get a few raised eyebrows and fascinated stares.
Last Thoughts!
This year’s show promises to be a hair-raiser, so be sure to check it out. If you’re looking for other fun adventures check out our Travel Blog for fantastic vacation ideas.