Marvel at decades of aviation wonders during the annual Festival of Flight, returning to the Long Beach Airport (LGB) Saturday, Oct. 25.  

“Festival of Flight is more than an event—it’s a chance for our community to experience the excitement of aviation up close,” said Fourth District Councilmember Daryl Supernaw in a public statement. “It’s a day full of fun, discovery and memories for people of all ages.”

The 2025 Festival of Flight is free to attend, and will include static aircraft displays, kid’s activities, local food and drink vendors and live entertainment from AbSOULute, DJ Dennis and the Satin Dollz. 

The aircraft expected to featured during the event include: 

C-53 “D-Day Doll” – A veteran of the D-Day invasion and Operation Market Garden in Holland.
KC-46 Pegasus – An air-to-air military refueling aircraft.
VX-31 Search and Rescue “Dust Devils” – A U.S. Navy helicopter crew that rushes into action supporting downed aircraft, lost hikers or missing persons on land or sea.
AT-6 Texan – A former training aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, which will have two flyovers conducted by The Condor Squadron. 

All aircraft displays are subject to change.

A plastic skeleton handles the controls of a Nanchang CJ-6 plane on display at the Long Beach Festival of Flight on Nov. 6, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

A view from the cockpit of a Boeing Stearman PT-17 biplane at the Long Beach Festival of Flight on Nov. 6, 2021. (Richard H. Grant | Signal Tribune)

This festival first took flight in 2013 to mark LGB’s 90th anniversary and has become a marquee event, bringing thousands of visitors to California’s oldest municipally owned airport, now 102 years old, on an annual basis. In June, LGB was ranked the second best airport in the United States by the Washington Post. 

“We’re thrilled to welcome the community to Long Beach Airport for this beloved event,” said Airport Director Cynthia Gundry in a public statement. “Festival of Flight is a chance to spark curiosity, share the excitement of aviation and create lasting memories for visitors of all ages.”

Attendees are advised to bring water, wear sensible shoes and be prepared to be outdoors, as the event will happen rain or shine. Bags will be subject to search and no pets, large bags, coolers, knives or sharp instruments will be allowed; service animals will be permitted. 

Starting at 8 a.m. the day of the event, free onsite parking will be available at the corner of East Wardlow Road and Globemaster Way. There will also be free bicycle valet parking.  

Overflow parking can be found in the parking structure at Long Beach Airport Business Park (4901 Airport Plaza Drive), with visitors instructed to enter via Clark Avenue and park in unreserved spaces on the first three floors. From there, a free shuttle service will run continuously to the event site.

Eventgoers are encouraged to use alternate transportation methods like cycling, carpooling, ridesharing and public transportation. 

The Festival of Flight will take place Saturday, Oct. 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the west end of the airfield at Long Beach Airport (3590 E. Wardlow Road) To learn more about the event, visit the Festival of Flight webpage or LGB’s social media pages.