Huntington Beach air show looking to expand to five-day event

Huntington Beach’s air show is looking to become a longer event with more activities and bring back nighttime concerts, according to details in a public study released by the city.

Pacific Airshow has typically been a three-day affair from Friday to Sunday. Now, organizers are looking to start the air show as early as Wednesday and include a plethora of new activities as they plan for the next decade of the annual event.

The air show anticipates adding to the event air racing, a nightly music festival over three days, wave pool surfing and BMX bowl competitions. The new information comes from a public study looking at what should be considered in a future environmental impact report.

Previous air shows had practice flyovers begin as early as Monday the week of the event, according to the study. If the event were to expand to five days, practice flyovers would continue with a Monday start date.

The study, completed by consultants, said many of the aircraft seldom fly over land, instead holding out over water.

The air show’s music festival, which would start right after the flying demonstrations finish, could return in future years and expand to a three-day series that goes until as late as 11 p.m. The music festival’s speakers would be pointed toward the ocean, but “may result in a temporary net increase in noise,” according to the study.

During the evenings, there could be nighttime flyovers with parachute jumps and pyrotechnics.

The music festival previously has been in a fenced-off area on the sand and featured artists like Sammy Hagar & The Circle.

Other activities looked at being added include skateboarding competitions, a helicopter landing on a temporary helipad on the beach and art installations.

The final environmental impact report would include an analysis of noise and pollution caused by aircraft during the show.

Two years ago, the 2021 air show was canceled following an oil spill off the coast of Orange County. That led to a lawsuit between the city and the air show operator that ultimately ended in a settlement that ignited strong resentment from some in the city. That complete settlement has not been released by the city and a resident is in an ongoing legal battle to obtain it.

Pacific Airshow officials said their 2023 event saw more than 700,000 people watch the show in Huntington Beach and 33% more ticket sales than the prior year.

The Huntington Beach City Council will hold a public hearing on the final environmental impact report before voting to certify it. The city will hold a scoping meeting for the public to weigh in on what the environmental impact report should address on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at City Hall. For more details see here.