Going to the Air Force Thunderbirds airshow in Biloxi? Here’s everything you need to know

Mary Perez
Updated ·5 min read

At least 100,000 people are expected to be on the beaches and around the city looking into the sky as the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds return to Biloxi for Thunder Over the Sound Air & Space Show.

The free air show is April 29-30, starting at Keesler Air Force Base each morning with performances and exhibits before the action moves a few blocks south to the beach for afternoon flights.

Heritage & Honor is this year’s theme, Col. Billy Pope, commander of the 81st Training Wing at Keesler, said during a press conference at Biloxi City Hall Thursday.

A re-enactment of the bombing of Pearl Harbor will be held over the base, he said, complete with Japanese Zero planes and pyrotechnics.

The Thunder Over the Sound website for the airshow provides detailed information about events on the base and the Thunderbirds’ shows over the beach.

Additional information is in Biloxi’s April edition of BNews Monthly, with updates on the city’s website at biloxi.ms.us. For traffic advisories, text Biloxi to 99411.

A Thunderbird F-16 aircraft is parked at the Combat Readiness Training Center at Gulfport International Airport. The Air Force Thunderbirds return to South Mississippi for Thunder Over the Sound April 29-30.
A Thunderbird F-16 aircraft is parked at the Combat Readiness Training Center at Gulfport International Airport. The Air Force Thunderbirds return to South Mississippi for Thunder Over the Sound April 29-30.

Performances

Events at Keesler AFB both mornings of the airshow will be aerial performances, ground demonstrations, military aircraft on display and a STEM Expo.

Among the performances and displays at Keesler are:

  • Wings of Blue

  • Chefpitts

  • Radio controlled aircraft

  • Tora! Tora! Tora! World War II planes

  • Trojan Phlyers

  • Patty Wagstaff

  • Acemaker Airshow

  • Jet Provost Aaerobatic Airshows

  • Fighter Jets Inc.

  • Commemorative Air Force

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in formation over the Mississippi Sound and an onlooking crowd during a practice session in this Sun Herald file photo.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in formation over the Mississippi Sound and an onlooking crowd during a practice session in this Sun Herald file photo.

STEM Expo

All things Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will fascinate kids and adults during the STEM Expo at Keesler AFB during the airshow.

Friday’s expo is open to students and ROTC cadets from junior high to college. For registration contact teodoro.rivera@us.af.mil

Saturday and Sunday’s expo is open to the public and is free. NASA will be at the expo along with colleges and many branches of the military that will bring interactive displays and virtual reality exhibits.

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Mississippi Sound behind the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse during a practice session in this 2019 file photo. The Thunderbirds return to Biloxi April 29-30.
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly over the Mississippi Sound behind the iconic Biloxi Lighthouse during a practice session in this 2019 file photo. The Thunderbirds return to Biloxi April 29-30.

The Clydesdales

The Budweiser Clydesdales will be in South Mississippi for the airshow and parades. The Clydesdales’ schedule includes: April 26 — 6 p.m. parade in Bay St. Louis April 27 — 6 p.m. parade in Ocean Springs April 29-30 — Thunder Over the Sound air show at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi

The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales make their way up Porter Street in Ocean Springs. The team of horses return to South Mississippi for Thunder Over the Sound Airshow April 29-30 and parades.
The Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales make their way up Porter Street in Ocean Springs. The team of horses return to South Mississippi for Thunder Over the Sound Airshow April 29-30 and parades.

Thunderbirds meet Biloxi Shuckers

Members of the Air Force Thunderbirds are invited to the Biloxi Shuckers’ baseball game against the Mississippi Braves at MGM Park Saturday, April 29, to meet their fans. It’s also Shuck Cancer Night at the stadium. The game starts at 6:05 p.m.

Crowds watch as one of the Thunderbirds takes off during the Keesler Air Show in 2009. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Keesler Air Force Base and the Biloxi beach April 29-30.
Crowds watch as one of the Thunderbirds takes off during the Keesler Air Show in 2009. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds to Keesler Air Force Base and the Biloxi beach April 29-30.

What to know if you go

Dates: April 29-30 in Biloxi.

Times: The gates at Keesler Air Force Base open at 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, and the first events begin at 9:30 p.m. The action moves to the beach for afternoon flights. The Thunderbirds’ show begins around 3:30 p.m. both days.

Cost: The airshow, parking, events at Keesler AFB and shuttles from the base to the beach are free. An extra charge is required at the Kids’ Zone that will have bounces and other activities and the Beergarden with VIP seating.

Two of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds execute a difficult maneuver where the jets fly side-by-side with one flying upside down.
Two of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds execute a difficult maneuver where the jets fly side-by-side with one flying upside down.

Food, drinks and souvenirs: 30 food trucks at Keesler AFB will be selling a variety of food and beverages. Souvenir stands will have Air Force and other merchandise to purchase.

Food trucks also will be located in the Fred Haise statue area adjacent to the Biloxi Lighthouse at the beach.

Allowed to bring: Water can be brought onto the base in a small school-size backpack but glass bottles are prohibited. Also allowed are: small purses and diaper bags, cameras, phones, folding chairs, strollers and wagons.

Prohibited items: Among the things that can’t be brought onto the base are pets except for service animals, coolers, drones, bicycles, skateboards, large purses, firearms, laser pointers, fireworks, alcohol, popup tents.

A poster for Thunder Over the Sound Air & Space Show is displayed at Biloxi City Hall. The event is a partnership between Keesler Air Force Base and the City of Biloxi.
A poster for Thunder Over the Sound Air & Space Show is displayed at Biloxi City Hall. The event is a partnership between Keesler Air Force Base and the City of Biloxi.

Parking: Public parking will be off-base at three locations.

  • IP Casino, 867 Bayview Avenue, Biloxi

  • Oak Park at Bayview Avenue and Kensington Drive

  • Harrison Court at Benachi Avenue and Lasalle Drive

Handicapped parking is designated at each parking area. Those who need handicap accessible shuttles should park at the IP Casino and make arrangements through parking attendants. The shuttle can take 30-40 minutes to arrive.

The parking lots are color coded and the shuttles and hand stamps will match to help people to get on the correct shuttle to return to their vehicles.

Shuttles from the parking areas to the base begin at 9 a.m. The public is required to take a shuttle bus to Keesler, and will not be admitted if not on a shuttle. Only those with Department of Defense ID will be allowed to drive onto the base.

Shuttles will take people from the base to the beach in the afternoon for those who want to see the Thunderbirds over the water. Shuttles will then return spectators to the base and then the parking lots after the show.

Parking will be allowed in parking bays along the beach for those who arrive early. Parking areas at White and Porter avenues will be closed as will the parking at the Lighthouse Park.

This map provided by the City of Biloxi shows where the airshow will take place at Keesler Air Force Base and along the Biloxi beaches.
This map provided by the City of Biloxi shows where the airshow will take place at Keesler Air Force Base and along the Biloxi beaches.

Public restrooms: More than 200 portable restrooms will be located on the base and at parking areas. The city will have additional portable lavatories along U.S. 90 from Holley Street to Rodenberg Avenue.

Boat regulations: For those who want to watch the Thunderbirds from the water, buoys will identify the flight box at the Biloxi Beach and the Back Bay. The marina on the base will be closed during the show.