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.

2020 Dates:
February 17 - Presidents Day
March 28 - National Vietnam War Veterans Day
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

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.

"Holiday in Blue" concerts (tickets required)
Friday, December 13, 2019, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 14, 2019, 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are available on a first come, first serve basis and limited to 4 tickets per requester.
Tickets may be obtained in person or by mail order beginning on Monday, November 18 at 9 a.m.
For more information contact Public Affairs at (937) 522-3252.

In-person requests:

Visitors with access to WPAFB with a valid ID can pick up tickets in the 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs office located in Area A, Bldg. 10, Room 252 during normal duty hours.

Mail orders:

Tickets may also be requested by sending a self-addressed and stamped envelope to:

AF Band of Flight
3920 Lear St, Bldg 1420
WPAFB, OH 45433-5721

Please include a note with the date of the concert you would like to see and the number of tickets desired. Limited quantities are available; those interested are encouraged to send their request in as soon as possible.

(Please do not duplicate your ticket order. Use only one of the methods listed above).

2020 Concerts:
Saturday, February 22
Saturday, December 12

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 ($)

Additional dates coming soon!

Hollywood Film Series ($)

Sunday, Dec. 15 & 22, 2019, 4 p.m.
The Polar Express

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

Micro Drone Race

Saturday, February 29, Race starts at 11 a.m.

See fast flying micro machines, in this rapid growing sport, as drone pilots fly around obstacles and aircraft along their racecourse through the galleries. In addition to seeing the race, spectators will be able to get a pilot’s perspective via cameras mounted to the drones. Check our website for additional information about the first Micro Drone Race at the Museum. Additional details coming soon.

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.

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.

February 6
March 5
April 2
May 7
June 4
July 2
August 6
September 3
October 1
November 5
December 3

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.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Collapse All Expand All

Can I have my event at the museum?

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force is a federally owned and operated facility. Therefore, by regulation, certain types of events and activities are prohibited at the museum. Some of the types of prohibited events are as follows:

- Non-military/private organization events

- Fundraising and non-profit events

- Holiday parties

- Weddings and wedding receptions

- Funerals

- Political events

- Gambling events

- Religious events

The Air Force Museum Theatre has limited ability to support private events such as meetings and ceremonies. Click here to be directed to their website.

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

Can I have my military ceremony at the museum?

The museum receives an overwhelming number of requests for military ceremonies (re-enlistments, retirements, promotions, change of commands, etc.) and must limit ceremonies to General Officers, members of the Senior Executive Service, and the HQ AFMC Command Chief. (WPAFB personnel should contact their organization’s protocol office for more information).

Other individuals not listed above may hold a non-support ceremony at the museum. Non-support ceremonies are intended to allow individuals the opportunity to stand near an aircraft or exhibit for the purpose of conducting a small, brief promotion or retirement ceremony. Complex ceremonies requiring reserved parking, chairs, podiums, sound systems, presentation tables, briefing rooms, and/or musical support, do not qualify for non-support status and cannot be held at the museum. For more information regarding non-support ceremonies, please call 937-255-8046.

The Air Force Museum Theatre has limited ability to support private events such as meetings and ceremonies. Click here to be directed to their website.

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

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)
Join the Air Force
- Military
  Posted 11/04/2016
- Civil Service
  Posted 11/04/2016
AF Links
- U.S. Air Force
  Posted 03/10/2015
- Recruiting
  Posted 11/02/2016
- Dept. of Defense
  Posted 03/10/2015
- Air Force Materiel Command
  Posted 03/10/2015
- Wright-Patterson AFB
  Posted 03/10/2015
AFM Foundation
- Become a Member
  Posted 11/02/2015
- Donate to the Foundation
  Posted 11/25/2015
- Legacy Data Plates
  Posted 11/02/2015
- AF Museum Attractions (Theatre & Simulators)
  Posted 11/02/2015
  - Menu Item
    Posted 10/30/2018
  - Menu Item
    Posted 10/30/2018
- Museum Store
  Posted 11/02/2015
- Food Options
  Posted 11/02/2015
Heritage
- Air Force History
  Posted 03/10/2015
- AF Historical Research Agency
  Posted 03/10/2015
- AF Historical Studies Office
  Posted 03/10/2015
- National Archives
  Posted 03/10/2015
Aviation Sites
- National Aviation Heritage Area
  Posted 03/10/2015
- Race to Dayton’s Amazing Aviation Places
  Posted 03/10/2015
- Aviation Museums
  Posted 03/10/2015