These are the best spots for watching the Thunderbirds air show, plus where to park

Mary Perez
·4 min read

About 100,000 people are expected to be dazzled by the Air Force Thunderbirds flying over the beach and Biloxi this weekend for Thunder Over the Sound airshow.

The show is free, including the Thunderbirds, the reenactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the STEM expo and the many other activities at at Keesler Air Force Base

The optimal viewing area for the Thunderbirds is on the beach along the 2.5 mile stretch from the I-110 loop and the Biloxi Lighthouse west to Miramar Park.

That’s where to be for those who don’t want to miss any of the daring elements of the new show created with the help of Disney.:

The Thunderbirds’ show starts around 3-3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The pilots also will make practice runs over the beach about the same time Friday afternoon. The jets are loud and parents should be sure to bring ear protection for children.

Here are the best places to watch the show along the beach:

▪ From the area south of the Biloxi Lighthouse, where food trucks will be set up near the Fred Haise statue. Parking will not be allowed there, at White Avenue or at Lighthouse Park north of 90.

▪ From the porches and lawn at the Biloxi Lighthouse Visitors Center

▪ The patio and lawn of the White House Hotel will have great views and guests of the hotel can chill in the pool while the jets fly past.

The optimal viewing area for Thunder Over the Sound airshow Saturday and Sunday stretches from the I-110 loop along the Biloxi beach to Miramar Park in Biloxi.
The optimal viewing area for Thunder Over the Sound airshow Saturday and Sunday stretches from the I-110 loop along the Biloxi beach to Miramar Park in Biloxi.

Shuttles and where to park

People are advised to come early to find a place to park in one of the parking bays near the beach or in a safe place along the streets. Some property owners are expected to provide parking up close for a fee.

Portable restrooms will be set up along the beach and in some parking areas.

Free shuttle buses will take people from three parking areas to Keesler Air Force Base Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m., for the morning activities. Those parking areas are at IP Casino and two others off Bayview Avenue at the first exit of I-110. Everyone who wants to go onto the base for the displays and events must park in these three areas and take a shuttle.

Free shuttle buses will run from three public parking areas off Bayview Avenue in Biloxi for Thunder Over the Sound airshow. Anyone who wants to attend the airshow at Keesler Air Force Base must park in one of these areas and board the shuttle.
Free shuttle buses will run from three public parking areas off Bayview Avenue in Biloxi for Thunder Over the Sound airshow. Anyone who wants to attend the airshow at Keesler Air Force Base must park in one of these areas and board the shuttle.

Shuttles will return spectators to the parking areas after the show using a color-coded system. The red shuttle will return to Keesler AFB. the black shuttle to Oak Park, the green shuttle to Harrison Court and the blue shuttle to IP Casino.

There will not be shuttles from any parking areas directly to the beach.

Spectators can watch from the parking areas or the walkway and public spaces along the Back Bay. They also can hike the 3 miles from IP Casino to the beach or about a mile and a half from parking spaces in downtown Biloxi to the prime viewing area.

On Sunday, the Biloxi Shuckers play at home starting at 1:05 p.m., so parking downtown could be at a premium.

Top Thunderbirds viewing spots

Those who live close to the beach will watch from their backyards and others who don’t want to deal with the parking and traffic have their favorite viewing spots in Biloxi, D’Iberville and Ocean Springs or will watch the planes soar over Keesler Air Force Base.

The air show box is shown for those who want to watch the Air Force Thunderbirds this weekend in Biloxi.
The air show box is shown for those who want to watch the Air Force Thunderbirds this weekend in Biloxi.

Here are some other places to watch the Thunderbirds:

▪ On a boat anchored in the Mississippi Sound. A flight box will be set up and patrolled to keep boats out of the direct flight path.

▪ From the marina or the waterfront in D’Iberville. This is a good choice for those who can’t walk the distance from the car to the beach, or have to be to work and can’t spend time in traffic. The jets will zoom directly overhead.

▪ Along the beach east of Hard Rock Casino Biloxi, where people sitting on the sand or in the shade north of 90 will see plenty of action.

▪ At Paradise Pier Amusement Park or the water park at Margaritaville Resort Biloxi, where people can watch the Thunderbirds on the towering observation wheel or one of the thrill rides or water slides.

▪ Walking or biking across the Biloxi Bay Bridge, with a breeze, a view of the boats and the roar of the Thunderbirds speeding past.

▪ Near Miramar Park on Beach Boulevard in Biloxi, where you can bring a picnic and the kids can climb at the playground while waiting for the jets.

▪ Outdoor spaces at beachfront restaurants like McElroy’s Harbor House or Doubletree by Hilton.

Anyone in Biloxi this weekend will see an amazing show, advance pilot/narrator Major Jeffrey “Simmer” Downie told the Sun Herald.

“It opens with a bang, it’s got a lot of cloud noises, jet sneak passes, loops and rolls — just some really incredible maneuvers ,” he said.

The U.S. Air Force exhibition team Thunderbirds return to the Mississippi Gulf Coast April 29 and 30 for an air show jointly hosted by Biloxi and Keesler Air Force Base.
The U.S. Air Force exhibition team Thunderbirds return to the Mississippi Gulf Coast April 29 and 30 for an air show jointly hosted by Biloxi and Keesler Air Force Base.