The Palm Springs Air Museum’s beloved Memorial Day Flower Drop & Air Fair returns Monday, May 25, 2026, with a full day of family-friendly programming, flight exhibitions, and a moving tribute to fallen service members.

• Flight exhibitions begin at 10 AM

• Flower Drop Ceremony starts at 1 PM – Honor Guard, National Anthem, Introduction of dignitaries and Local Gold Star Families;

• The 3-4 Missing Man Formation follows ceremony with 5,000 red and white carnations, I.E. the Flower Drop at the end.

• This year’s formation honors all fallen U.S. service members, commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the ending of the Vietnam War and gives visitors a chance to meet 3 Vietnam Aviator Honorees:

  • Gary Lucas, Bronze Star Recipient

  • Frank Tullo, Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient

  • Randy Zahn, Distinguished Flying Cross Recipient

• On display again this year is Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ prototype “Darkstar”, featured in the Top Gun: Maverick film.

• The F-117 Stealth Fighter, housed in the Jim Houston Pavilion, will be available for public viewing.
  

The Missing Man Formation will be flown by four vintage warbirds. During the third pass over the museum, one aircraft will pull away from formation in a powerful visual tribute to those who never returned.

The event also includes:

• Live music, food vendors, and children’s activities

• Warbird flight demonstrations throughout the day

• Warbird rides available for purchase at

  https://PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org/warbirdrides/

• Parking: Free offsite parking with shuttle service will be provided from the Palm Springs Unified School District lot, located at 150 District Center Drive, south of the museum off Gene Autry Trail.

• Regular admission applies: $25 adults; $23 for seniors and teens, 13-17; Kids 12 and under free with paid adult admission / free for PS Air Museum members.

• Friendly dogs on leash ok.

Tribute Details: White carnations represent veterans of WWI, WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Red carnations honor those lost in more recent conflicts such as Desert Storm, Iraq, and Afghanistan. A dozen red roses will also be included to honor local Gold Star Families, including the family of Hunter Lopez, a fallen Marine and local hero

Returning sponsors include the H.N. and Frances C. Berger Foundation, Coeta and Donald Barker Foundation, The Chandi Group, City of Palm Springs, Coulson Aviation, El Paseo Jewelers, Palm Springs Resorts, Conrad Hilton Foundation, Jessup Auto Plaza, and McDonald’s – The Shalhoub Family. The Palm Springs Air Museum houses over 75 vintage aircraft, many of which are still flyable, across 91,000 square feet of open hangars and tarmac displays, with exhibits from WWII through modern military history. Regular museum admission is $25 for adults, $23 for seniors and ages 13-17. Kids 12 and under are free with a paid adult. Open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM.

For more information, visitPalmSpringsAirMuseum.org or call 760-778-6262 during business hours.

The Palm Springs Air Museum is an educational non-profit organization whose mission is to Preserve, Educate and Honor.  

PALM SPRINGS AIR MUSEUM
745 N. Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 778-6262 / https://PalmSpringsAirMuseum.org