Air show tampa 2025

TAMPA — The Tampa Bay AirFest returned to fill the skies over Tampa with performances by the Thunderbirds, vintage aircraft and military planes that aviation fans welcomed to MacDill Air Force Base on Friday.

For the first time, the event is being held on Friday and Saturday, leaving Sunday for Easter celebrations.

As usual, the free event drew big crowds to marvel at the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other aerial performers, while on the ground there were tours of both historic and modern aircraft.

Related: Tips for navigating the day at MacDill AirFest

Organizers expected the event to draw even more people than usual since it will be several years before another AirFest flies over Tampa because of construction taking place soon.

The base is expanding its hangars for the new KC-46 Pegasus tanker aircraft coming to MacDill, so there won’t be another AirFest until 2027 at the earliest.

The AirFest continues on Saturday. Gates are open 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Flying begins at noon at the base at 6901 S. Dale Mabry Highwa

airplane show tampa

plane show tampa