Air & Scare returns October 24, 2026! Hosted at the Udvar-Hazy Center — Smithsonian Air & Space Museum’s sister location in Chantilly, VA, this family-friendly celebration showcases the museum’s spooky side!

Hosted both indoors and outdoors, Air & Scare is free to attend; however, parking is fee-based, and tickets are required for the outdoor portion:

Outdoor Tickets
Free timed-entry tickets are required for the outdoor portion of Air & Scare. Tickets will be available on October 1, 2026, at 7 pm (NAS Society members receive early access on September 28, 2026).

Indoor Tickets
The indoor portion of the event is not ticketed and features activities for all ages. This special event is very popular, and capacity is reached quickly.

Parking
Parking is fee-based ($15/car). High visitation is expected, so plan for delays entering and exiting the lot — or consider public transportation (Fairfax Connector 983).

Wear your Halloween best (costumes encouraged; see note below) and enjoy science-inspired fun! Plan for about a 90-minute experience across the indoor and outdoor activities:

• Trick-or-treat stations featuring candy & snacks
• Creepy crafts, spooky experiments, & themed activities
• Special storytimes & puppet shows
• Photo opportunities with your favorite Star Wars characters
• An Air & Scare Runway costume fashion show

Halloween masks are not permitted for ages 16+ and weapons (real, fake, or props) are forbidden on museum property.

Air & Scare takes place rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, some outdoor fun may be curtailed, but many will scream on, so bring rain gear just in case!