Summer may be winding down, but Ocean City is definitely not slowing down! September is one of the best times to visit the shore, with beautiful beach days, cooler evenings, fewer summer crowds and plenty happening around town.
One of the biggest September weekends is almost here: Ocean City Air Show Weekend, September 19–20, 2026.
From airplanes and parachuters to Boardwalk strolls, beach time and a little fall shopping downtown, there are plenty of reasons to make a full weekend out of it.
Saturday, September 19: Ocean City Airport Festival
Start the weekend at the Ocean City Airport Festival, happening Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Ocean City Municipal Airport, 26th Street and Bay Avenue.
The annual festival brings aviation right down to ground level with an impressive collection of aircraft on display, including World War II planes, classics and warbirds. Visitors can get an up-close look at the planes while enjoying food, music, vehicle displays and activities for the kids.
Team Fastrax is also scheduled to perform a parachute jump during the festival, weather permitting.
It’s a fun way to kick off Air Show Weekend, especially for families with little ones who would love the chance to see the planes up close before watching them take to the skies.
Saturday Night: Parachute Pyrotechnic Show
Don't head home when the sun goes down!
At 8 p.m. Saturday night, look toward the sky for Ocean City's Parachute Pyrotechnic Show.
Team Fastrax parachuters will jump from approximately 6,000 feet above Ocean City's beach and Boardwalk, lighting up the sky with brilliant pyrotechnics as they descend in formation. The jump concludes with a landing on the 7th Street Beach and can be viewed from along the Boardwalk.
Grab some Boardwalk treats, find a good viewing spot and enjoy one of the most unique nighttime events of the fall season.
Sunday, September 20: Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
Sunday is the main event!
The Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow begins at 1 p.m., with the action taking place over the ocean from approximately 6th to 14th Streets.
Spectators can watch talented stunt pilots, aerobatic performers and military demonstrations soar above the coastline. Best of all, the show is free to watch, making it an easy addition to a fall weekend in Ocean City.
You can watch from the beach or Boardwalk, but you'll want to arrive early to find a good spot. Bring your beach chairs or blankets, pick up lunch from your favorite Ocean City spot and settle in for an afternoon by the ocean.
Make a Full Fall Weekend Out of It
The Air Show may be the main attraction, but don't rush home afterward. September weekends are one of Ocean City's best-kept secrets.
Spend some time walking or biking the Boardwalk, grab your favorite pizza or sweet treat, shop along Asbury Avenue or simply enjoy a quiet walk on the beach. With the peak summer season behind us, there's a little more room to slow down and enjoy everything you love about Ocean City.
If you're in town Saturday evening, The Righteous Brothers with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra will also perform at the Music Pier at 7:30 p.m. on September 19, giving visitors another entertainment option for the weekend.
And while the calendar may say fall is almost here, September can still bring plenty of gorgeous weather for sitting on the beach, watching the waves and squeezing in one more weekend by the ocean.
Your Air Show Weekend at a Glance
Saturday, September 19
- Ocean City Airport Festival: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
- The Righteous Brothers with the Ocean City Pops Orchestra: 7:30 p.m.
- Parachute Pyrotechnic Show: 8 p.m.
Sunday, September 20
- Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow: 1 p.m.
- Airshow viewing area: 6th–14th Streets over the ocean
Stay for the Weekend in Ocean City, NJ
Why make it a day trip when you can turn Air Show Weekend into a fall getaway?
September is a great time to stay in Ocean City, whether you're planning a family weekend, a last-minute shore escape or simply aren't ready to say goodbye to beach season quite yet.
Find the perfect Ocean City vacation rental with OCNJBeachRentals.com, unpack for the weekend and enjoy everything Air Show Weekend has to offer.
The planes are coming, the Boardwalk is waiting and fall weekends at the shore are just getting started!