6th of December, 2025
Bring the whole family for this one-of-a-kind celebration that soars into the season!
This December 6, the past takes flight and the holidays land with a smile at Junior Aviator’s Day – Holiday Edition.
Gather the family for a day of historic aircraft, festive activities, and a magical moment as Santa Claus touches down at the Museum. It’s a chance for kids to meet Santa, see an historic aircraft take flight, explore the skies with a ride in a vintage plane, hands-on discovery and more! Reserve a time slot to get your picture taken with Santa! SEE THE TICKET LINK BELOW.
Join us Saturday, December 6th with activities designed for all ages – from toddlers to teens to lifelong learners and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Doors to the Museum will open at 9:00am. Regular admission prices in effect except that all kids (11 and under) are FREE on Junior Aviator’s DAY! Members are also always free.
We’ve arranged for Jolly St. Nick to fly into the Museum on Saturday morning. He’s giving the reindeer the day off (they have to rest up for the big night) so he’s coming to Planes of Fame in a vintage 1940 Boeing-Stearman biplane! 
Santa’s expected time of arrival is 10:30am and he promises to fly over the Museum for several passes (great photo op!) before landing. Then he’ll move into the Museum in a historic World War II Jeep and settle down in our Pond Hangar to meet with the kids and take photos.
Santa can only be at the Museum for a few hours so we’ve arranged to purchase a time slot to get your picture taken with him.
Museum Members get first shot at reserving a time until Saturday, November 22, 2025. Simply click on the link and enter your membership number to activate the reservation form.
Beginning November 23rd, everyone is invited to reserve the photo slots.
Moms, Dads, Grandmas and Grandpas, kids and more are invited to take a photo with Santa for just $25. After our professional photographer takes your photo, you’ll receive a link to download the results for printing and sharing.
LINK TO TICKET PAGE: CLICK HERE
We’re decorating the Museum to capture the holiday spirit. And we’ve got a number of fun activities with a holiday flair for everyone. Plus we’re doing some fun educational activities for our Junior Aviators as well. You can build and decorate a model airplane (register for our Model Workshops onsite), learn how to rivet, enter a giant snow globe (great photo op!), learn about aircraft recognition, color, build a bottle airplane and more!
At 11:00am we’ll be conducting a special fast-paced one-hour edition of “Hangar Talk” in the Maloney Hangar. We promise there’s something for every age in these presentations:
When Enemies Sang Together: The Truce That Touched the WorldOn Christmas Eve and Day, 1914, soldiers on opposing sides of the Western Front during the First World War laid down their arms to share songs and stories, exchange gifts, and even play soccer. This brief but powerful truce among enemies reminds us of the enduring human spirit—even in the darkest of times. Perfect for all ages, this heartwarming presentation offers a glimpse of peace amidst war – and a timeless lesson in empathy, hope, and humanity.
Animals in Uniform: True Tales of BraveryFrom muddy trenches to battlefield hospitals, animals have served with courage and loyalty in times of war. In this heartening presentation, we’ll share true stories of feathered messengers, canine companions, stalwart horses, and other unlikely heroes who earned medals, saved lives, and stood shoulder to shoulder with their human comrades. These remarkable tales remind us that bravery comes in all shapes and sizes—and that the bonds between humans and animals can shine even in the darkest hours.
Chasing the Horizon: Global Flights Through TimeFrom the daring U.S. Army Air Service circumnavigation of 1924 to the record-breaking journeys of Wiley Post, the B-50 “Lucky Lady II,” and modern adventurers like Dick Rutan, Jenna Yeager, and Steve Fossett, pilots have long pushed the boundaries of global flight. This uplifting presentation traces a century of airborne ambition—and concludes with a nod to the most extraordinary around-the-world journey of them all. A perfect way to celebrate the season and the spirit of exploration.
At 12:15pm, guests are invited to the Museum’s Hot Ramp for an up-close encounter with one of World War II’s most iconic fighter aircraft—the Lockheed P-38 “Lightning.” A brief outdoor presentation by Scott Cassels will explore the aircraft’s unique design, wartime role, and legacy, followed by the thrilling moment when both Allison engines roar to life just feet from the crowd. After taxiing away, the Lightning will return to the skies for a dramatic overhead flight, offering unforgettable photo opportunities. Upon landing, guests are invited to meet the pilot Chris Fahey and hear firsthand what it’s like to fly this legendary machine.
We’re thrilled to have the Cal-Aerofab Academy join us to offer flights to our guests on December 6th. Here’s your chance to take a short 20-minute flight in one of several historic aircraft. It’s a great way to introduce the wonders of flight to our younger visitors during Junior Aviator’s Day. A separate fee is required based on the aircraft selected.
Our Gift Shop is chock-full of some great stocking stuffer gift items including toys, apparel, and books. We have several delicious food options on hand with multiple Food Trucks. The B-17 will be open for visits and Museum Guides will be on hand to help the Museum come alive with great stories of the past.
Whether you're here for the roar of the Lightning, the wisdom of Hangar Talk, or the joy of seeing Santa land in style — Junior Aviator’s Day is your ticket to a holiday adventure that will lift your heart and engage your mind.
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