TrekUnity
When
April
Attendance
~225,000
Admission
Ticketed
Setting
Outdoor
Held each April in Lakeland, Florida, SUN ’n FUN is one of the largest aviation events in the world — often called the spring counterpart to Oshkosh — with daily airshows, aerobatics, warbirds, thousands of aircraft, workshops, and a night airshow over Lakeland Linder Airport.
It kicks off the flying season with a week of demonstrations and exhibits for pilots and plane-lovers, set in central Florida within easy reach of Tampa and Orlando.
Want to go? Turn SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo into a trip you plan with your group.
Creates an editable trip seeded with a starter itinerary, hotels & eats.
Event details
Typical dates
A week in early April
Admission
Daily and weekly admission · discounts for members
Parking
Large on-site paid lots with tram service; on-site camping is available for the full experience.
Nearest airport
Lakeland Linder (LAL) on-site during the event; Tampa (TPA) ~40 min; Orlando (MCO) ~45 min
Typical weather
Warm, sunny Florida spring — 80s °F; sun protection and water for long days on the ramp.
Official website
Location
Lakeland, FL
Where to stay
On-site camping
Camp on the grounds among the aircraft.
Lakeland hotels
Chains near the airport (book early).
Tampa / Orlando hotels
More options ~40–45 min away.
Where to eat & drink
On-grounds food vendors
Plenty of options across the expo.
Downtown Lakeland spots
Cafés and restaurants around Lake Mirror.
Tampa dining (day trip)
Ybor City and the Riverwalk nearby.
Nearby attractions
Bok Tower Gardens
Historic singing tower and gardens ~30 min south.
Downtown Lakeland / Lake Mirror
Walkable historic district.
Tampa & Orlando attractions
Theme parks and city dining within an hour.
A sample itinerary
1Arrive + set up
- •Fly into TPA or MCO
- •Afternoon: check in / set up camp
- •Evening: downtown Lakeland
2Airshow day
- •Morning: warbirds + exhibits
- •Afternoon: daily airshow
- •Evening: night airshow
3Forums + depart
- •Morning: workshops + flight line
- •Afternoon: Bok Tower Gardens
- •Head to the airport
Make it yours — an editable trip you can share with your group.
Travel tips
- Bring sun protection and water — Florida ramps get hot.
- Catch the night airshow — it's a highlight.
- Fly into Tampa or Orlando if Lakeland lodging is full.
Frequently asked questions
When is SUN ’n FUN?
A week in early April in Lakeland, Florida.
How does it compare to Oshkosh?
It's often called the spring counterpart to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — a huge aviation gathering to kick off the flying season.
Can you camp?
Yes — on-site camping among the aircraft is available and popular.
Going with friends?
TrekUnity keeps the whole group on the same page — vote on plans, split costs, and see who's arriving when.
Start planning freeTrekUnity is an independent travel guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo or its organizers. Dates, prices, and details are provided for informational purposes and can change — always confirm on the official event website before booking.