Long Beach Airport Invites Community to Airfield for Annual Festival of Flight on Oct. 29

LONG BEACH, CA – Long Beach Airport’s (LGB) award-winning Festival of Flight is coming back in for a landing Saturday, Oct. 29, 2022. Thousands of attendees are expected at the popular family-friendly event featuring static aircraft displays, children’s activities, live music, food and beer trucks, and helicopter rides for purchase.

“The Long Beach Airport is an incredible asset to our community and our local economy,” said Mayor Robert Garcia. “Festival of Flight is a great chance for families to walk onto the airfield and see it up close.”

The award-winning community event is free and open to the public, with an estimated 10,000 people of all ages taking part in the outdoor festivities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Taxiway E, located on the west end of the airfield at 3590 East Wardlow Road.

“I’m looking forward to seeing everyone at this community celebration of our municipal airport, which holds such a special place in the hearts our community as well as the aviation world,” said Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw.

Previously known as the Fly-In, Festival of Flight has been a tradition in Long Beach since 2013, when it was launched to celebrate the airport’s 90th anniversary. The aviation-themed event has since continued to raise awareness about California’s oldest airport, which will mark its 100th anniversary next year.

“Festival of Flight is a unique opportunity to showcase our historic airport in a way that allows the public to walk on the airfield and see and interact with aircraft up close,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Stacy Mungo Flanigan.

Attendees are advised to bring water, wear sensible shoes and be prepared to be outdoors, rain or shine. Coolers will not be allowed, and bags will be subject to search. Service animals will be permitted, but pets will not.

Limited free parking will be available at the corner of East Wardlow Road and Globemaster Way. Alternate modes of transportation, such as cycling, carpooling, ride-sharing and public transportation, are highly encouraged. Bicycle parking also will be available in the parking lot.

“We are proud to host this annual event at Long Beach Airport, which inspires aviation enthusiasts of today and tomorrow,” Airport Director Cynthia Guidry said.

In 2019, the Festival of Flight was honored by the California Association of Public Information Officials with an Excellence in Public Information and Communications (EPIC) award for best recurring special event of the year.

Follow LGB on social media or visit the Festival of Flight webpage for more information about the event or Long Beach Airport, which currently offers nonstop service to 17 destinations across the nation by major airlines, in addition to robust general aviation operations.