Events

Each year, the museum hosts hundreds of events that help convey the Air Force story and military aviation spirit. Indoor and outdoor events range from flying events, exhibit openings and aircraft rollouts to ceremonies, reunion groups, memorial dedications and guest lectures.

Plane Talks

Plane Talks will occur a few times a year and allow visitors the opportunity to interact with various subject matter experts. The experts at these talks may include veterans, active duty, former pilots, crew members, engineers, navigators, and more. These experts will be stationed in the galleries near the aircraft or exhibit that relates to their expertise. These Plane Talks programs often occur on the anniversary of a significant Air Force or military event.

Future Dates:
May 16 - Armed Forces Day
September 18 - 73rd Anniversary of the Air Force and POW/MIA Recognition Day
November 11 - Veterans Day
December 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

SALUTE: A Vietnam Veterans Tribute
July 16-18, 2020

This three-day long event will include: aircraft flyovers, helicopter demonstrations / static displays, living history reenactors, vehicles of the era, live music from the 1960s and the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) 80% scale Vietnam Wall replica. Additional details coming soon!

History:
The Southeast Asia War (Vietnam War) included Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia occurred between 1961-1973.
Visit our Fact Sheet for a more detailed explanation.

World War I Dawn Patrol Rendezvous

Friday, October 2 – Saturday, October 3, 2020, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This two-day event features replica World War I flying aircraft, re-enactors, radio-controlled model aircraft, period vehicles, music and more. Check our website closer to the event for additional details. Participants can register here.

Concerts

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force teams up with the USAF Band of Flight and other performers for concerts throughout the year.

Concerts are free and open to the public, and at times, tickets are required. Most concerts begin at 7:30 p.m., unless otherwise noted. Doors open for indoor concerts at 6:30 p.m., and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Performances last approximately 70-90 minutes and may include an intermission.

For more information about upcoming concerts, please call (937) 522-3252.

Next Concert:

Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13

Air Force Museum Theatre

The Air Force Museum Theatre* offers a Living History Series and a Hollywood Film Series on several dates throughout the year.The theatre is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation. There is a cost associated with these film series. Visit the links for more information.

Living History Series ($)

Dates will be posted as available

Hollywood Film Series ($)

Dates will be posted as available

* The Air Force Museum Theatre is operated by the Air Force Museum Foundation. Federal endorsement is not implied.

Illustration of museum hangar with doors open showing aircraft inside. Text in illustration reads "First Thursday; Open Late until 8 p.m.

The museum, theatre, gift shop and cafés will remain open until 8 p.m. the first Thursday of each month in 2020. In addition, one aircraft will be open each month for visitors to look-in.

June 4
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3

Details about the open late nights will be announced on a quarterly basis. More information available in the News Release.

Security Notice

All visitors may be screened with a metal detector upon entry. In addition, all bags are subject to search and may be placed through an X-Ray machine. Weapons are not permitted including pocket knives.

Prohibited Items
Prohibited Items:
- Firearms*
- Knives
- Box cutters
- Food and drink
- Bottled water (exceptions can be made for medical conditions)
- Alcohol
- Coolers
- Backpacks

* Firearms and other dangerous weapons are specifically prohibited in Federal facilities in accordance with 18 USC §930 (c)

Permitted Items:
- Purses
- Camera bags
- Diaper bags
- Strollers
- Service animals

Please note the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is not responsible for items left in vehicles.
Click here for frequently asked questions regarding items permitted inside the museum.
Visitor Photography Notice
Notice: Visitors may be filmed, photographed or recorded by the U.S. Air Force for educational and promotional uses, including for posting on public websites and social media.
Individuals are permitted to take their own photographs or videos while touring the museum.

Private Event Venue

Interested in hosting a private event or meeting
at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force?

Download the Private Event Guide

For additional information contact
events@afmuseum.com or (937) 656-9627

Free guided tours

The museum is laid out in chronological order, making it easy for visitors to self tour the facility. We offer six free guided tours of the galleries a day, as well as a Glimpse Behind the Scenes program that provides an opportunity to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals. Click on the dropdown arrows below for additional information.

10 a.m. - Building 1
10 a.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Early Years Gallery to experience the beginnings of flight with the Wright Brothers and the evolution of aircraft from ‘sticks and fabrics’ to a metal airplane and an enclosed cockpit. The docent will then guide you into our WWII Gallery which features the first bomber to take off from an aircraft carrier, the Memphis Belle, and the first jet fighter aircraft. Meet the docent at the entrance to Early Years Gallery.
11:30 a.m. - Building 2
11:30 a.m. - Building 2 (Korean and Southeast Asia War Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Korean War Gallery which features the first Jet-to-Jet Combat Fighter, and the Southeast Asia War Gallery which is home to the Stratofortress, the B-52 Bomber. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Korean War and Southeast Asia War Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in second building.
12 p.m. - Building 4
12 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of our newest building which features a full-size, walk-on Space Shuttle exhibit, the first airplane into Hanoi to liberate the POWs, the Fighter version of the SR-71, and the presidential aircraft which returned John F. Kennedy’s body from Dallas in 1963. Meet the docent at the information desk in fourth building.
1 p.m. - Building 1
1 p.m. - Building 1 (Early Years and WWII Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Early Years Gallery to experience the beginnings of flight with the Wright Brothers and the evolution of aircraft from ‘sticks and fabrics’ to a metal airplane and an enclosed cockpit. The docent will then guide you into our WWII Gallery which features the first bomber to take off from an aircraft carrier, the Memphis Belle, and the first jet fighter aircraft. Meet the docent at the entrance to Early Years Gallery.
1:30 p.m. - Building 3
1:30 p.m. - Building 3 (Cold War and Missile Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of the Cold War Gallery which features the largest Bomber ever built and put into service by the U.S. Air Force, the SR-71, the B-2 Bomber and other stealth aircraft. In our Missile Gallery, you will missiles towering over one 100 feet. Please note there is only one guided tour of the Cold War and Missile Galleries offered daily. Meet the docent at the information desk in third building.
3 p.m. - Building 4
3 p.m. - Building 4 (Space, Research & Development, Presidential, and Global Reach Galleries)

Join our volunteer docent for a free guided tour of our newest building which features a full-size, walk-on Space Shuttle exhibit, the first airplane into Hanoi to liberate the POWs, the Fighter version of the SR-71, and the presidential aircraft which returned John F. Kennedy’s body from Dallas in 1963. Meet the docent at the information desk in fourth building.
Glimpse Behind the Scenes
The Glimpse Behind the Scenes program is offered the first and third Friday of each month from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4.

This program provides an opportunity to engage with program volunteers on elements of the restoration process highlighted through a variety of materials and visuals.

This program will take place every first and third Friday of the month from 1-3 p.m. and is open to all visitors. Registration is not necessary. Interested visitors can stop by the demonstration tables located in the Space STEM Learning Node located in Building 4 anytime between 1-3 p.m.

Click here fore additional information about the Glimpse Behind the Scenes and Tours.

Note: This program replaces the previously existing Behind the Scenes Tour.

Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

Check our calendar for a
complete list of events

Museum location
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is located at:

1100 Spaatz Street
Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433

(near Dayton, Ohio)
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