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News & Media Aviators, aviation museums decorate for the holidays

Aviators, aviation museums decorate for the holidays

December 20, 2021 By Niki Britton

Across the country aircraft museums and aviators alike are getting into the holiday spirit. From lights adorning personal aircraft and hangars to elaborate holiday displays at world renowned aviation museums, these photographs are sure to get you into the holiday spirit.

In addition to photos fly along on a drone tour of the Galaxy Lights display at Space Center Houston!

We would like to thank all of the museums and individuals who took the time to submit their fun, festive holiday photographs: Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Experience in Portage, Michigan; Cosmosphere in Hutchinson, Kansas; Goodspeed Airport in East Haddam, Connecticut; Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia; San Diego Air and Space Museum in San Diego; Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia; Zamperini Field in Torrance, California; and EAA Aviation Museum in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

Goodspeed Airport in East Haddam, Connecticut, decorated hangars and flew Santa in for the town event “Light up East Haddam.” Photo courtesy of Kevin Rich. A festively decorated hangar at Goodspeed Airport in East Haddam, Connecticut, for “Light up East Haddam.” Photo courtesy of Kim Edwards. Explore the solar system through massive models of each planet along an outdoor walking path when Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, transforms and illuminates the center with stunning space-themed light installations. Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, is an immersive holiday lights tradition bringing guests the most interactive and technologically advanced light display in Texas nightly from November 13 through January 2. Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston. Guests at Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant, will experience two high-tech kinetic light shows, supported by Wellby Financial, where dozens of suspended lights move in precise choreographed sequences to music above the Main Plaza. Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston. Walk through a 200-foot LED light tunnel made of more than 250,000 lights synchronized to festive holiday music at Space Center Houston’s Galaxy Lights, presented by Reliant. Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston. Pilots at Zamperini Field enjoy a festive holiday hangar party complete with decorated aircraft and hangars. Photo courtesy of Michael Haworth. The North Pole Express, adorned with Christmas accoutrements, sits festively at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Zachary Baughman, Military Aviation Museum. This cozy Christmas chair is ready to welcome Santa and his visitors at this festive display at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Zachary Baughman, Military Aviation Museum. Military Aviation Museum volunteer Bob Finley brings the holiday cheer to families at Planes, Trains and Santa! Photo courtesy of Zachary Baughman, Military Aviation Museum. The Cosmosphere International Science and Space Museum shared this festive “Christmas under a Blackbird” photo of an SR–71 Blackbird ornament that adorns a festive Christmas tree just below a real SR–71 Blackbird that hangs from the ceiling of the museum’s lobby in Hutchinson, Kansas. Photo courtesy of Mimi Meredith and the Cosmosphere International Science and Space Museum. A twinkling Christmas tree is displayed alongside holiday toys and a pilot teddy bear ready to take flight in his silver airplane at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Zachary Baughman, Military Aviation Museum. A pink Curtiss P–40 Warhawk hangs from the ceiling of the front lobby at the Air Zoo. Photo courtesy of The Air Zoo. Holiday cheer abounds at the Air Zoo’s Fly Buy gift shop. Photo courtesy of The Air Zoo. A Christmas tree adorned with aviation themed ornaments and cards stands in the front lobby of the Air Zoo. Photo courtesy of The Air Zoo. A festive nutcracker stands guard before a Curtiss P–40 Warhawk in the Air Zoo’s festive lobby. Photo courtesy of The Air Zoo. Holiday cheer adorns the Christmas trees at the Air Zoo’s holiday lobby. Photo courtesy of The Air Zoo. Santa Claus himself poses in his original, recently restored sleigh, “Santa One,” at the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Photo courtesy of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Santa and Mrs. Claus pose for a photo next to the beautifully restored “Santa One,” “Santa’s original sleigh,” according to the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Photo courtesy of the San Diego Air and Space Museum . Festive aviation and aerospace-themed trees are featured for the holidays at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. Photo by Eric Long, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. The EAA Aviation Museum’s Christmas in the Air open house pairs spectacular static aircraft displays with enchanting light displays. Photo by Connor Madison. Dancers performing at the EAA Aviation Museum drew sizable crowds. Even the Grinch and his faithful dog Max stop to watch. Photo by Connor Madison. As part of the EAA Aviation Museum’s Christmas in the Air open house Santa also made an appearance, this time in a rotorcraft. Photo by Connor Madison. Snoopy and Woodstock make a Christmas appearance at AOPA. Photo by Alyssa Cobb.
Niki Britton
eMedia Content Producer
eMedia Content Producer Niki Britton joined AOPA in 2021. She is a private pilot who enjoys flying her 1969 Cessna 182 and taking aerial photographs.
Go to Niki Britton's Profile
Topics: Aviation Industry

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