The Full Throttle precision-flying team was one of the performers at the 2025 "Thunder Over the Waves" airshow. (Photo courtesy of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority)
The “Thunder Over the Waves” airshow will return in 2026 after a strong debut that included attracting more than 100,000 visitors to the Wildwoods.
“We’re thrilled to bring the airshow back next year. The 2026 airshow promises to be bigger and better than ever, featuring an expanded lineup of impressive performers,” Louis M. Belasco, executive director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority, announced in a news release Wednesday.
For 2026, the airshow will return on Sept. 11 for a practice day and Sept. 12 for the main event. No performers have been announced yet.
Belasco noted that the airshow’s inaugural run on Sept. 5-6 “exceeded all expectations.” It attracted 133,000 visitors to the resort towns of Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood and generated an estimated $33.2 million in economic impact.
“Our goal was to present a family-friendly event that would entice visitors to return to our island the weekend after Labor Day. The airshow rivaled the attendance and excitement of our largest midsummer weekends,” Belasco said.
The beachfront show featured 15 headline acts executing aerobatic performances, including custom-built planes, military aircraft, highly skilled aerialists and skydivers.
In addition to the airshow, crowds were treated to multiple island-wide events that took place throughout the weekend.
The airshow kicked off the Wildwoods’ “Second Season” schedule of fall events. The autumn is filled with an array of special events and festivals in the Wildwoods – at a time when the crowds are smaller and hotel rates are lower.
“With the success of the Thunder Over the Waves Airshow, along with the destination’s already-packed fall calendar of events, visitors have even more reasons to experience the Wildwoods well beyond the typical summer season,” according to the news release.
Funding for this year’s airshow came from a combination of sources, including the title sponsor, the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA), which serves as the marketing agency for the island.
For more information about the 2026 Thunder Over the Waves airshow, contact GWTIDA at 609-729-9000 or email at [email protected]. For the Wildwoods fall events schedule, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com.
