Wings Over Houston Displays Aircraft of All Kinds During Two-Day Event

Visitors to Pasadena, Texas, over Halloween can enjoy a special treat with Wings Over Houston, which runs from October 31 to November 1, 2026, at Ellington Airport. For the past 42 years, this event has showcased vintage WWII aircraft to preserve and share planes that are so important to American history.

“This is one of the largest civilian-run airshows in North America,” says Natasha Avey, Operations Manager at Wings Over Houston. “We expect over 100,000 people to attend during the course of the weekend.”

Attendees in 2026 will see demonstrations from the Air Force Thunderbirds, NASA, and The Pink Jet – an L-39 with a female crew that flies to raise funds for breast cancer research and support.

There will also be a flying tribute to the Vietnam War, featuring the very rare and local F4-D Phantom II from the Collings Foundation. This particular plane has been restored and is flying for the first time in seven years. It is one of only five remaining in the world. Flying alongside the F-4 Phantom will be a collection of other Vietnam-era jets and helicopters, paired with lots of pyrotechnics. This will be a flying demonstration you can only see in Houston, featuring the collection of aircraft assembled.

If you haven’t been to this event yet, mark your calendars and grab your tickets now. You can save $5 on any ticket type with promo code PASA26. 

Ellington Airport Gives Visitors a Unique Experience

Wings Over Houston is held at Ellington Airport, 11602 Aerospace Ave, right next to the Lone Star Flight Museum. This is one of the most unique airports in the United States because it is home to an active reserve base with all five branches of the military, NASA, and general aviation aircraft. When Air Force One arrives in Houston, the president often lands at Ellington Airport.

“Aerospace is a huge piece of the Houston story. We are proud to be known as Space City. The people you saw circling the moon last Spring work and train right here in Houston and at Ellington Airport,” says Avey, referring to the Artemis II mission.

Along with aircraft demonstrations and exhibits, Wings Over Houston allows visitors to meet the people making history. The Legends and Heroes Autograph Tent features 18 to 20 people who left their mark on the aviation world. Houston-area native Eugene Kranz, who uttered the famous words, “Failure is not an option,” will be in attendance on Saturday.

It’s Easy to Plan a Fun Day Out 

Wings Over Houston is a favorite annual tradition for many families in the area. It is also a rain-or-shine event. If the planes can’t fly due to weather, event organizers typically wait for the storms to pass. Houston rarely has days where it storms constantly, so it’s easy to pause for a few passing showers.

If this is your first time attending, follow these tips to make the most of your day.

• Wear comfortable clothes. Choose walking shoes because most of the event is on concrete. 
• Pack hats, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Texas is still warm in October, and this event is held outside. 
• Bring earplugs or noise-canceling headphones. The medical tent will have free earplugs, but you may want to bring nicer ones for small children. Planes can get loud.
• Wagons and strollers are allowed. As long as they are collapsible.  
• You can also bring your own chairs. This allows you to sit back and watch the planes throughout the day.   
• There are three park-and-ride locations. Consider this option to skip traffic to and from the event. There is also handicap parking available on-site.  

Additionally, outside food is allowed. While there are plenty of food and drink vendors, families can bring food in clear bags and sealed water bottles. They can also bring empty bottles to fill from the ample water stations. 

Wings Over Houston Inspires the Next Generation 

What started as a fundraiser by the Commemorative Air Force to keep historic planes flying has grown into a much larger event. Wings Over Houston is a non-profit organization that donates to more than 100 causes in the area. It distributes up to $25,000 in scholarships annually, with 7 college students receiving funds this year. There is also a Veterans Business Marketplace at the event where attendees can support former service members who are now entrepreneurs.

“This is about more than just airplanes; it’s about the history of what happened with the airplanes,” says Avey. “We want to honor aviation any way we can, while inspiring the next generation of pilots, engineers, and mechanics. There’s so much more to aviation than flying.”

The mission of Wings Over Houston is to educate, honor, and inspire. Many kids who grow up to become pilots or are involved in aviation have their first cool experience with planes at these air shows. Wings Over Houston is an important event that reflects on the wars and conflicts that spurred the development of aircraft, while also looking to innovations that can bring people to space – and beyond.  

Plan Your Halloween Visit to Pasadena

Wings Over Houston usually falls in late October or early November, and just happens to coincide with Halloween this year. If you’re considering visiting Pasadena, Texas, plan a visit around Halloween! There are plenty of activities for the whole family, and you can pair spooky events with this spectacular airshow.

Want more travel tips for Pasadena? Check out our itineraries. Discover the various adventures and ideas that make for an unforgettable weekend.