New Jersey Shore Airshow Announces 2026 Return

THE WILDWOODS, NJ — The Thunder Over the Waves Airshow, which made its debut this year in the Wildwoods, has announced its return dates for 2026.

It will return Sept. 11 (practice day) and Sept. 12 (main event), the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) announced Wednesday.

“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. The debut of our inaugural Thunder Over the Waves Airshow exceeded all expectations. 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,” said Louis M. Belasco, GWTIDA executive director.

The 2025 Airshow attracted over 133K visitors to the resort and generated an estimated $33.2 million in economic impact, according to the GWTIDA.

The inaugural show debuted earlier this month on Sept. 5 and 6, kicking off the Wildwoods’ ‘Second Season’ schedule of fall events.

The Thunder Over the Waves Airshow featured 15 headline aerial acts executing aerobatic performances ranging from custom built planes to military aircraft and highly skilled aerialists and impressive parachuters. Crowds were treated to the thrill of the airshow performers in addition to multiple island-wide events that took place throughout the weekend.

Funding for the Wildwoods Thunder Over the Waves Airshow came from a combination of sources, including the Title Sponsor: The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA).

For more information about the 2026 Thunder Over the Waves Airshow, contact GWTIDA at 609-729-9000 or email at info@wildwoodsnj.com. For the Wildwoods fall events schedule, please visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com