The Farmhouse at Mill Creek sits about 25 minutes from the Cherry Point flight line, which makes it one of the more practical and peaceful lodging options for air show weekend in the area. If you are planning a trip around the show, here is what you need to know.

About the MCAS Cherry Point Air Show

The Cherry Point Air Show is a biennial event hosted by MCAS Cherry Point and 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing as a community appreciation event for Eastern NC. It runs across a full weekend in May and features a mix of military and civilian aviation performances, static aircraft displays, and food vendors along the flight line.

General admission and parking are free, though a free base pass is required for entry and must be obtained in advance through the official air show website. Premium seating options, including reserved grandstand seats, box seats, and exclusive chalets, are available for purchase.

The 2026 show runs May 9 and 10 and features the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as the headliner, alongside the F-35B Lightning II, F-16 Viper Demo Team, and a full lineup of civilian aerobatic performers. It is also a special year, timed to coincide with America’s 250th anniversary.

Practical Tips for Attending

Get your base pass early. They are free but required for vehicle entry. The show website opens pass registration well ahead of the event and they go fast as the weekend approaches.

Arrive early. The flight line at Cherry Point is large and the crowds spread out well, but the roads leading onto base get congested as the morning progresses. Give yourself extra time on both days.

Plan for full sun. The flight line has limited shade. Hats, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are essentials. Clear, empty water bottles are permitted and free refill stations are available on the grounds.

Food is handled by vendors on site. Outside food is not permitted, so plan accordingly or bring snacks for the littlest ones.

Note that weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited on base, as is any food brought from outside the event. Review the full rules on the official show website before you go.

Why Hotels Fill Up Fast Around Air Show Weekend

Havelock is home to MCAS Cherry Point and sits right at the center of the action. It is a small town, and the hotels there fill up months in advance for air show weekend. New Bern, about 15 minutes north of Havelock, has more options but follows the same pattern. If you wait until a few weeks out, you are usually looking at a long drive from wherever you could find a room.

That is part of why staying at the Farmhouse at Mill Creek makes sense for air show weekend. Pollocksville is about 25 minutes from Cherry Point, far enough to be clear of the traffic and noise, close enough to make the drive easy both mornings. And when you come back in the evening after a long day on the flight line, a quiet farm porch is a very welcome thing.

Make It a Full Eastern NC Weekend

Air show weekend is a good reason to explore more of what this part of North Carolina has to offer. New Bern is 15 minutes from the Farmhouse and worth a morning or evening of wandering. Tryon Palace, the downtown waterfront, Mitchell’s Hardware, and a strong lineup of local restaurants make it an easy half day.

If the show runs Saturday and Sunday, consider arriving Friday evening and staying through Monday morning. That gives you the air show, a New Bern evening, and a slow farm morning to decompress before heading home. It is one of those trips that ends up being more than you planned for, in the best way.

Book the Farmhouse at Mill Creek for Air Show Weekend

The Farmhouse sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms and has a full kitchen, two porches, and the kind of quiet that makes a loud, full day at the flight line feel well earned. We are about 25 minutes from MCAS Cherry Point and available year-round.

The show is biennial, next up in 2028, so if you are reading this after the 2026 show, now is a good time to start thinking ahead. Availability fills up faster than most people expect.

Check availability and book the Farmhouse at Mill Creek on Airbnb

For official air show information, base passes, and premium seating, visit cherrypointairshow.com.

Hope to see you out this way.

Mary Ann

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The 3rd Annual North Carolina Plein Air Art Festival is a must-attend event for any art lover. The festival will take place in New Bern from May 14–21, 2023, this year. The festival features the work of over 35 nationally and internationally acclaimed plein air artists, who will be painting in and around the beautiful city of New Bern, as well as, day trips to Beaufort and Oriental. This is the third annual event and it gets bigger and better every year.

Lodging Near New Bern and Jacksonville

The Farmhouse at Mill Creek is an excellent spot to stay for the entire week of the event or anytime you are looking for lodging near New Bern. This quaint AirBnB is just a short drive from New Bern and Jacksonville and is the ideal spot to rest after a long day of visiting Eastern North Carolina and enjoying art outdoors.

The Farmhouse at Mill Creek is an excellent spot to stay for the entire week of the event or anytime you are looking for lodging near New Bern. This quaint AirBnB is just a short drive from New Bern and Jacksonville and is the ideal spot to rest after a long day of visiting Eastern North Carolina and enjoying art outdoors.

The comfortable, three-bedroom cottage can comfortably accommodate up to six guests. The Farmhouse features a fully equipped kitchen, dining room, gathering spaces, two porches with open views of the surrounding countryside, and an outdoor shower that is a luxury at any time but especially after the beach.

Pollocksville is part of North Carolina's Inner Banks which means you will be close to some of the best beaches on the East Coast. Emerald Isle and the other Crystal Coast beaches are a short drive away, so you can easily spend a day swimming, sunbathing, and exploring coastal shops, and restaurants.

Please use our Contact form if you have any specific questions or go to our AirBnB listing to interact on that platform. We expect that week to fill soon so don't wait to make your reservation.

For more Festival info, view the press release and NC Plein Air Art Festival website.

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