32. The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) at RAF Fairford
Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle on offer at the Royal International Air Tattoo – the world’s greatest airshow which takes place in the Cotswolds at RAF Fairford each summer.
At the Royal International Air Tattoo, the excitement isn’t just in the air. Alongside the thrilling flying action involving over 200 aircraft each year, we offer a diverse range of non-stop entertainment on the ground, ensuring a memorable experience for our 140,000 visitors.
With the support of the Royal Air Force and some of the world’s leading aerospace companies, the Air Tattoo is not just the world’s largest military airshow, but also one of the UK’s premier outdoor events for the whole family. It’s an event that everyone, from aviation enthusiasts to families, can enjoy.
Visitors see fast jets, giant transporters, and historic aircraft during the thrilling seven-and-a-half-hour flying display. There is also a chance to meet the crews, get close to the aircraft and enjoy a feast of first-class entertainment.
A spokesman for the event said: “Run by an army of volunteers and respected around the globe, the Air Tattoo is an event that the Cotswolds – and UK plc – can be most proud of.”
The first Air Tattoo was staged in 1971 at North Weald Airfield in Essex, with just over 100 aircraft participating. It became the International Air Tattoo in 1976, and the Queen recognized its unique status in 1996 when the current Royal International Air Tattoo title was adopted.
From 1973 to 1983, the Air Tattoo was held at Greenham Common, Berkshire, before moving to RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, in 1985. The spectacle is staged to support the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, a charity set up in 2005 to support the wider RAF family.
The 2024 Royal International Air Tattoo takes place from Friday to Sunday, July 19-21.