Long Beach Airport’s annual Festival of Flight returned for a landing on Saturday, Oct. 25, with thousands of attendees getting the opportunity to learn about historic aircraft and the city’s rich aviation history.
This year’s festival attractions included static aircraft displays, live entertainment, children’s activities, food and beer trucks to enjoy.
Local aviation enthusiasts, families and visitors from across Southern California attend the Festival of Flight each year. Organizers estimated 15,000 attendees of all ages were expected to take part in the airport’s signature annual event.
Attendees stroll through the annual Festival of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, featuring aircraft displays at Long Beach Airport. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Plane enthusiast Jackson Vari, 10, of Los Alamitos, checks out the inside of a Tecnam P2008 light sport aircraft at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees stroll through the annual Festival of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, featuring aircraft displays at Long Beach Airport. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Chris Laxamana of Long Beach photographs his son, Benny, 2, inside a Long Beach Police Department helicopter at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees exit a vintage Air Force C53 transport plane on display at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees queue up for helicopter flights at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Aircraft of all types and sizes are on display at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Aircraft of all types and sizes are on display at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors chat with a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department helicopter pilot at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Attendees climb aboard a 1943 Air Force C53 transport plane on display at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors attend the annual Festival of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, featuring aircraft displays at Long Beach Airport. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Visitors attend the annual Festival of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, featuring aircraft displays at Long Beach Airport. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Aircraft of all types and sizes are displayed at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
A commercial jet takes off over a 1943 Air Force C53 transport plane on display at the Festival of Flight at Long Beach Airport on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
Show Caption
1 of 14
Attendees stroll through the annual Festival of Flight on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, featuring aircraft displays at Long Beach Airport. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)
“Walking the airfield and seeing these planes up close is an experience like no other,” Mayor Rex Richardson said in a statement earlier this month. “Festival of Flight captures the energy of our historic airport and the community spirit that makes Long Beach unique.”
The lineup of aircraft at the Festival of Flight included the C-53 “D-Day Doll,” which participated in the D-Day invasion and Operation Market Garden in Holland. The Condor Squadron, flying the AT-6 Texan, will conduct two flyovers during the event.
Other attractions at the event included children’s activities, food and beer trucks, and performances by the Satin Dollz, DJ Dennis and AbSOULute – a band that performs a blend of soul, funk, R&B and classic rock.
“We’re thrilled to welcome the community to Long Beach Airport for this beloved event,” airport Director Cynthia Guidry said in a statement ahead of the event. “Festival of Flight is a chance to spark curiosity, share the excitement of aviation and create lasting memories for visitors of all ages.”