Bray Air Display returns to County Wicklow today, for a single-day event along the town’s iconic Victorian seafront. This free, family-oriented festival, now in its 19th year, draws thousands to the coastal town to witness a variety of aerobatic performances set against the backdrop of Bray Head and the Irish Sea. Organised by Bray Summerfest in collaboration with partners including Wicklow County Council, the Irish Air Corps, and Bray.ie, the event contributes an estimated €3.5m to the local economy and is recognised as Ireland’s largest free public festival, attracting over 100,000 visitors in previous years.
The programme begins at noon with ground entertainment, including a Seafront Funfair, a Food and Craft Village offering artisan products, and a static display by the Irish Defence Forces showcasing military equipment. A new “Future of Flight” Tech Zone will feature drones and aviation technology, while the Model Aeronautics Council of Ireland will exhibit model aircraft.
The air display, starting at 3pm, will feature a lineup of aircraft, including the Aer Lingus Airbus A320neo, the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, and vintage planes like the Mustang ‘Miss Helen’ and the Irish Historic Flight Foundation’s Chipmunk and Stearman. The Irish Air Corps will showcase its Airbus C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft, highlighting 60 years of helicopter operations. Helicopter rides over Bray Head will be available for a fee, offering a unique perspective of the coastline. Visitors are advised to arrive before 2pm due to significant traffic and public transport demand, with parking requiring pre-booking at designated event car parks.
Lineup
The Bray Air Display 2025 line-up (not in order of appearance and is subject to changes) includes:
- Aer Lingus Airbus A321XLR: Next-generation aircraft makes a show-stopping appearance
- AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers: Heart-stopping stunts and sky-high thrills as daredevils dance on the wings of flying biplanes
- Black Knights Parachute Team: Watch the skies open up with precision parachuting
- Eddie Goggins: The Flying Dentist returns with jaw-dropping solo aerobatics
- Emerald Airlines: Ireland’s regional airline showcasing skill and style
- Garda Air Support Unit: Eyes in the sky as you get to meet Ireland’s aerial policing powerhouse
- Irish Air Corps: A dynamic display from Ireland’s aerial guardians
- Irish Historic Flight Foundation: Stearman and Chipmunk aircraft evoke aviation’s golden age
- P-51 Mustang Marinell: Legendary WWII fighter brings speed, sound, and history to life
- Richard Goodwin: High-energy muscle biplane aerobatics like you’ve never seen before
- Search and Rescue display: A powerful tribute to the heroes safeguarding lives
- Spitfire: Iconic Battle of Britain star returns with thunderous grace
- Strikemaster: Feel the roar and rush of this classic military jet
- Team Raven: Precision formation aerobatics by seven Van RV8 aircraft
The Irish Defence Forces Naval Service wil haveone of their LE Fleet vessels anchored offshore, providing a majestic maritime backdrop. The official 2025 souvenir programme will be available as a free digital download closer to the event.
Road closures:
From early morning on Saturday, August 2, the following roads will be closed: Strand Road, Albert Avenue, Sidmonton Avenue, Convent Avenue, Seapoint Road, and Putland Road to the first junction on Newcourt Road.
All access to Strand Road will be fully restricted from 10am, including for residents and businesses. No parking will be permitted on Strand Road from 7am, and illegally parked vehicles or those left overnight will be towed. Deliveries to businesses along Strand Road and adjoining roads must be completed before 10am.
The south car park (at Ardmore Rovers) is for traffic travelling from Wicklow/Wexford via the N11 and the north car park (Colaiste Raithin) is for those travelling from Dublin/North Leinster via the M50 or N11.
A complimentary shuttle service will only run from the south car park to the event site, with the last pick-up at 7:30pm. All car parks will close at 8pm, and the event site will close at 10pm. Overnight parking is not permitted and will result in towing.
Parking is pre-book only at brayairdisplay.com/parking2025/, and access is not guaranteed after 2pm. Event car parks open at 10 am, and pre-booking is mandatory. Attendees must book online in advance and are strongly advised to arrive before 2 pm, as parking is only guaranteed up to that time.
Public transport:
Bray has a substantial public transport network, both north from Dublin and south from County Wicklow and Wexford. Visitors can travel by Bray Dar and the mainline Iarnród Éireann rail network, which connects north to Connolly Station in Dublin city centre.
Five bus companies pass through Bray: Dublin Bus, Go-Ahead Ireland on behalf of Transport for Ireland, Bus Éireann, Finnegan’s Bray and St Kevin’s Bus Service to Glendalough. Bus Éireann’s Route 131, which connects Wicklow Town and Bray, will operate as usual.
There may be bus route diversions in place, including the L14 Palermo to Southern Cross Road route.
Iarnród Éireann will operate an extensive programme of additional DARTs to/from Bray on Saturday, August 2 but that bikes will not be permitted. Dublin Bus will provide enhanced services on route E1 from Dublin City Centre.
To make travel easier for Luas customers, a shuttle bus service will operate from the Green Line at the Brides Glen stop. From there, spectators can easily access a shuttle bus service that will take them close to the event site in Bray. You can book a shuttle bus on brayairdisplay.com
Award winners
The Bray Air Display began in 2005 as part of Bray Summerfest, a community initiative to boost tourism and showcase the town’s seaside charm. Founded by the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, with support from Wicklow County Council, the event aimed to create a family-friendly spectacle that would draw visitors to the region. Its growth has been marked by awards, including ‘Best Festival/Event Experience over 50,000 people’ at the 2017 Irish Tourism Industry Awards and silver in the ‘Best Tourism Initiative’ category at the All-Ireland Community and Council Awards in 2018 and 2019. The festival was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic but has since regained its status as a key event on Ireland’s aviation calendar, promoting interest in the industry among younger generations.
The current Flight Display Director, Sé Pardy, has led the event for several years, overseeing its planning and execution. Pardy’s focus on sustainability, including encouraging public transport use and car-sharing to reduce emissions, aligns with the festival’s commitment to environmental responsibility. Visitors can expect a lively yet accessible atmosphere, with Bray’s DART and bus connections facilitating travel from Dublin and surrounding areas. The combination of aerial displays, ground activities, and the scenic seafront setting ensures a memorable day for families and aviation enthusiasts alike.
