Wings Over West Texas: Dyess AFB’s Epic Air Show Returns

This year the skies over Abilene and West Texas are going to roar with excitement as the Wings Over West Texas: The Dyess AFB 2025 Air Show returns Easter weekend, Saturday and Sunday, April 19 & 20, at Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene.

Get Ready for Some Sky-High Noisy Fun and Excitement

Expect increased noise pollution for the next several days as aircraft fly in and rehearse for this jaw-dropping two-day event. You'll likely hear and see planes overhead starting Wednesday as pilots prep for their performances.

A Personal Tradition for Many in Abilene

Growing up in an Air Force family, I remember the Dyess "Open House Air Shows" as my dad called them. It was always a must-see, must-attend tradition, and yes, we helped pick up trash afterward. While I don’t recall it ever landing on Easter weekend, this year it does, and it's shaping up to be one of the biggest shows yet.

Get our free mobile app

Get ready to see aircraft like the legendary B-52, C-130, B-1B, the breathtaking Air Force Thunderbirds, the Wings of Blue skydiving team, and even a B-29, among many others from both classic and modern eras.

Know Before You Go: Prohibited Items

Security is a top priority at Dyess AFB. Before heading to the air show, make sure you’re aware of what’s not allowed on base. Here’s a list of prohibited items:

Weapons of any kind (firearms, knives, multitools, etc.)
Concealed carry of any sort, including civilian police
Ammunition, fireworks, lasers, or explosives
Coolers (unless carrying baby food or medication)
Cigarettes, e-cigs, vape pens, lighters
Pets (service animals allowed)
Tents or awnings
Bicycles, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades
Outside alcohol or glass containers
Illegal drugs or controlled substances
Large backpacks (must be smaller than 10"x10"x10")
Drones
Refer to: DyessAF.mil for the complete list.

Schedule of Events: Saturday & Sunday

Here’s what to expect on both days:

11:08 a.m. – C-47 + Wings of Blue (12 min)
11:20 a.m. – B-1/C-130 JFE Demo (28 min)
11:40 a.m. – AceMaker33 (14 min)
12:03 p.m. – Tora! Tora! Tora! + P-40 (38 min)
12:41 p.m. – 2x P-51 Mustangs (14 min)
12:55 p.m. – Hellcat (12 min)
1:07 p.m. – KC-135/C-17 Aerial Refueling Demo (25 min)
1:32 p.m. – Red Bull Air Show (12 min)
1:44 p.m. – Smoke-n-Thunder Race T-33 (10 min) – Halftime
1:54 p.m. – Bomber Passes: B-29, B-25, B-1, B-2 (38 min)
2:32 p.m. – Trojan Phlyers (15 min)
2:47 p.m. – Twin Otter / Wings of Blue Canopy Jump (15 min)
3:02 p.m. – Microjet Demo (11 min)
3:13 p.m. – Sports Gal / Melissa Burns (12 min)
3:25 p.m. – Intermission (10 min)
3:35 p.m. �� Thunderbirds Headline Performance (60 min)
Note: All times and acts are subject to change.

Plan Your Day and Enjoy the Show

Bring sunscreen, a folding chair or stroller, your phone or camera, ear protection, and your best walking shoes. Find a good spot near the runway and prepare to be amazed.

A big thank you goes out to the men and women of Dyess AFB and the entire U.S. military for serving our country, and for sharing this amazing experience with the community.

So, I’ll see you Easter weekend at Wings Over West Texas: The Dyess AFB 2025 Air Show.

10 Abandoned Military Bases in Texas

Texas is a big state and over the years many military bases have been scattered all over. However, many of those military bases have been closed and either crumbled to the ground with their skeletal remains or have been transformed into other uses.