Every other year, the skies over Eastern North Carolina put on a show that draws tens of thousands of people from across the region. The MCAS Cherry Point Air Show is the largest spectator event in Eastern NC, held at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point in Havelock, and it is genuinely worth the trip.
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