Rhyl’s beloved annual Air Show will not soar through the skies in 2025, with organizers confirming its cancellation due to significant funding challenges, leaving a notable void in the town’s summer events calendar.
Denbighshire Leisure Ltd (DLL), the entity typically responsible for staging the spectacular event during the August bank holiday weekend, has officially stated the popular spectacle will not proceed for the upcoming year, continuing its absence since 2023.
This decision comes as DLL concurrently unveils an array of other exciting summer events designed to engage residents and visitors, showcasing a diverse program that, unfortunately, will not include the long-anticipated air show.
Local council representatives have corroborated DLL’s announcement, emphasizing the air show’s historical importance to Rhyl businesses, which have traditionally reaped substantial economic benefits from the influx of visitors it attracts, despite DLL underwriting costs and shortfalls.
Furthermore, ongoing coastal defense projects, rendering large sections of the promenade inaccessible, were cited as a practical impediment, suggesting that an event of the Rhyl Air Show’s magnitude might not have been logistically feasible this year.
In a pragmatic pivot, DLL has collaborated with Rhyl Town Council to curate an alternative, attractive summer events program, featuring thousands of free tickets for the Rhyl Events Arena and a new August event, alongside the popular family fun days at 1891. They also supported the RAF Rhyl Town Show with free use of the Rhyl Events Arena, and opened SC2 for free for hundreds of people to enjoy the waterpark and Splash Pad to celebrate the reopening, showcasing diverse community activities.
The 2024 cancellation was largely attributed to the unavailability of the Red Arrows, a major draw. Jamie Groves, DLL’s managing director, previously asserted that without the iconic display team, delivering a show consistent with the proud tradition of the Rhyl Air Show and public expectations would be impossible.
While the Red Arrows graced the 2022 and 2023 shows, their absence in 2019 due to a North American tour underscored their critical role. Beyond the Red Arrows, the 2023 Rhyl Air Show also boasted performances from the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and other notable aerial acts.
Beyond the air show’s void, DLL’s summer schedule includes a ‘Summertime Weekender’ and an ‘outdoor cinema experience,’ complementing the recent reopening of SC2 water park, which resumed operations in early July after storm damage forced its closure in late 2023, enhancing local tourism options.
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