Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo
The year's first major aviation gathering. Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo brings 200,000+ attendees to Lakeland, Florida for six days of exhibits, airshows, fly-in camping, and aviation education each April.
What to expect
Quick facts
Dates
April 14–19, 2026
Location
Lakeland Linder International Airport
Lakeland, United States
Estimated attendance
~200,000
Exhibitors
~600
Registration
from USD 50 day pass
Languages
EN
Regulatory focus
FAA
Also known as
Sun 'n Fun, Sun n Fun, SUN 'N FUN, Lakeland Aerospace Expo
Who attends
Aviation enthusiasts from across the southeastern US and beyond, manufacturers, flight schools, A&Ps, homebuilders, vintage aircraft owners, the FAA, and a substantial number of first-time visitors testing whether AirVenture in July is worth the trip.
Why flight schools attend
Sun 'n Fun is the year's first major flight-school recruiting opportunity. The Florida date and location pulls a strong southeast regional audience, and Florida-based schools especially benefit from local visibility. Spring-to-summer enrollment season makes April timing valuable for student-pilot pipeline conversations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sun 'n Fun runs annually for six days in mid-April at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida. The 2026 edition is 14-19 April 2026.
Sun 'n Fun is roughly a quarter the scale of AirVenture, runs in spring rather than summer, and has a more relaxed atmosphere. Many attendees use Sun 'n Fun as their primary aviation event of the year and skip the larger summer Oshkosh trip.
Yes — Florida schools especially benefit from the strong southeast regional audience and the spring enrollment-season timing. The recruiting opportunities for Florida-based schools at Sun 'n Fun typically rival or exceed what they get at AirVenture, despite the smaller national scale.
Listing last verified May 4, 2026 · Always confirm dates and registration via the official site.