Falmouth Week Air Display to Coincide with Solar Eclipse

There are evening air displays, and then there is the one Falmouth has lined up for Wednesday 12th August. Three world-class teams sharing the sky at once would be a draw on its own. Add a 95% solar eclipse happening directly overhead and you have something Cornwall has not seen the like of in more than 25 years.

Falmouth Week organisers have confirmed a triple-header air display over Falmouth Bay that evening, running from 6pm, with the partial eclipse unfolding at the same time. Cornwall is set to be one of the best places in the country to watch the sky darken, making this the most significant eclipse the area has experienced since 1999.

Who is flying

The Royal Navy Parachute Display Team, known as the Raiders, will be one of the three acts taking part. Formed in 1983, the team is made up of experienced parachutists drawn from across the Surface Fleet, Submarine Service, Royal Marines and Fleet Air Arm, with volunteers from almost every rank and rate represented. They freefall towards the harbour trailing coloured smoke and flags.

The Flying Comrades are an aerobatic formation team flying a duo of Yakovlev Yak-52 aircraft, a piece of vintage Soviet engineering known for its aerobatic ability. Their display takes in tight formation flying and fast passes.

Then there are the AeroSuperBatics Wingwalkers, billed as the world’s only formation wingwalking team. Flying Boeing Stearman biplanes, the team works through loops, rolls and turns while wingwalkers perform handstands against 150mph wind pressure.

What the organisers say

Richard Gates, Falmouth Week Chair, said the display was shaping up to be something special.

“Falmouth Week has always prided itself on delivering memorable moments across the summer event, and this year’s air display is shaping up to be something genuinely special,” Richard said. “Three incredible display teams performing above Falmouth Bay as Cornwall experiences its deepest solar eclipse in over 25 years will be truly unmissable.”

The eclipse and staying safe

The eclipse will be a 95% partial one, with the sky over Falmouth Bay darkening as it reaches its deepest point. Simple safe viewing guidance will be included in the public advisory for anyone planning to watch.

The air display is subject to weather conditions and Civil Aviation Authority approval. Marine, traffic and visitor information for Wednesday 12th August will be released closer to the event through the Falmouth Week digital programme, the official social media channels, the website and local media.

The rest of Falmouth Week

Falmouth Week runs from Friday 7th to Sunday 16th August 2026. It started life as a sailing regatta and has grown into one of the South West’s premier summer festivals, built around three strands.

Sailing Week is organised by the Port of Falmouth Sailing Association and its member clubs, with racing on the Carrick Roads and in Falmouth Bay. Evening performances take place at the Waterfront Marquee, hosted by Southwest Bars and Events. The Falmouth Town Team puts together the daytime shoreside events across the town.

The full programme is on the Falmouth Week website, with updates posted on Falmouth Week’s Facebook page and on Instagram at falmouth_week.

Key partners for the event are Falmouth Town Council, Falmouth Business Improvement District, Falmouth Harbour, Stutt Associates, Graypen Ltd and The Royal Duchy Hotel.