Atlantic City Air Show 2026
Now the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival — the show formerly known as Thunder Over the Boardwalk returns Memorial Day Weekend 2026 with elite military and aerobatic flying over the beach and boardwalk.
- DateMemorial Day Weekend 2026 — May 28–30
- VenueAtlantic City Boardwalk
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Quick clarification: same show, new name
What you remember as the Atlantic City Air Show or Thunder Over the Boardwalk (2003–2024) is now officially the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival. Same beach, same Blue Angels, same free viewing — new name, new date (Memorial Day Weekend instead of August), and an expanded 3-day format.
Full Soar & Shore Festival guide →Where to stay for the air show
Memorial Day Weekend is the kickoff of summer in Atlantic City. Beachfront and boardwalk hotels book months in advance for this weekend; the premium-viewing packages on rooftops and oceanfront balconies sell out fastest. The casino resorts (Borgata, Hard Rock, Ocean Casino, Caesars) offer the easiest combined stay-and-watch experience.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the Atlantic City Air Show 2026?
The 2026 Atlantic City Air Show is scheduled for Memorial Day Weekend, May 28–30, 2026. This is a change from the traditional August dates that defined the show as "Thunder Over the Boardwalk" through 2024.
Is the Atlantic City Air Show the same as Soar & Shore?
Yes. "Atlantic City Air Show," "Thunder Over the Boardwalk," and the official 2026 name "Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival" all refer to the same event. The show was rebranded after a 2025 pause and moved from August to Memorial Day Weekend.
What happened to Thunder Over the Boardwalk?
Thunder Over the Boardwalk ran from 2003–2024, then paused in 2025 for strategic reorganization. It returns in 2026 as the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival with a new name, new dates (Memorial Day Weekend instead of August), and an expanded three-day format.
Is the Atlantic City Air Show free?
Yes. The airshow is free to watch from anywhere along the Atlantic City beach or boardwalk. Some hotels and restaurants offer paid premium viewing packages with rooftop access, food, and drinks.
Where is the best place to watch the Atlantic City Air Show?
Show center is typically between Steel Pier and Resorts Casino. The beach directly in front of those properties offers the most direct views. Arrive by 9 AM for prime spots and bring chairs, umbrellas, sunscreen, and a cooler.
Who flies at the Atlantic City Air Show?
Headline acts typically include one of the major US military demonstration teams (the Blue Angels or Thunderbirds), plus civilian aerobatic pilots, vintage WWII warbirds, and military flybys (F-35s, C-17s, Coast Guard helicopters). The exact 2026 lineup is announced closer to the event.
Plan the rest of your weekend
More to do in Atlantic City over Memorial Day Weekend.
Hotels for the air show