What do I need to know?

The show takes place in two locations along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The first half of the show is an Open House on Keesler Air Force Base with aerial and military demonstrations, static aircraft, STEM Expo, Military Heritage Exhibit and more.  The second half of the show takes place along two miles of Biloxi Beach, centered on White Ave.  This portion of the show will feature a performance by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.  Free transportation is available to Keesler, the beach, and back to each parking lot. Just sign up for a parking reservation!

There will be slight adjustments to performances from day to day, but the format will be the same each day.  Please see our schedule and list of performers for more information.

There may be parking reservations available the day of the show, but once the parking lots have reached capacity, there will not be additional parking reservations.

Loudspeakers will be positioned throughout the venue on Keesler Air Force Base at show center on Biloxi Beach.  We will also air the narration of the show on FM 104.9 and the hosted broadcast can be streamed live on Fox LiveNOW from 2p.m-5p.m on both Saturday and Sunday.

Yes, for those with base access, a designated handicap parking lot will be located near Keesler AFB Base Operations Building at 233 H Street, Keesler AFB, MS 39534, please use the reservation site to receive updates and alerts.  For those without base access, use the reservation site to secure your off-site handicap parking space.  Designated handicap equipped busses will be available to assist handicap guests to the air show on base and then to a designated viewing area off base, and then back to their parking lot. Only vehicles with proper handicap credentials will be allowed to park in these locations.

No, all available ramp space will be utilized for Static Aircraft. 

Thunder Over the Sound will proceed as scheduled unless Keesler AFB is directed to cease air show operations.

Thunder Over the Sound will proceed as scheduled unless Keesler AFB is directed to cease air show operations.

The gates to the flight line will open one hour before the show starts. We encourage folks to look at the show schedule to assist in planning when to arrive to the Open House or the Biloxi Beach portions of the show.  

Pets are NOT allowed within the air show venue on-base. Only service animals will be admitted.  Please follow the City of Biloxi and Harrison County guidance on pets at the beach.

The following items ARE ALLOWED on Keesler AFB for the air show:

• Diaper bags, small purses, canvas bags with folding chairs, and small camera bags at or below 21 inches long, 10 inches wide and 10 inches deep.
• Portable lawn chairs, collapsible strollers, wagons, blankets
• Handicap authorized scooters
• Service animals are allowed

The following items ARE PROHIBITED on Keesler AFB for the air show:

• Narcotics and Drug Paraphernalia. Possession or use of Marijuana is illegal on Keesler AFB and any federal installation, this includes both recreational and medicinal
• Alcoholic Beverages—strictly prohibited, however beer garden locations will be available for visitors over 21 with a valid ID

• Excessively large items and bags. Exceptions are diaper bags, small purses, canvas bags with folding chairs, and small camera bags at or below 21 inches long, 10 inches wide and 10 inches deep.

• Glass bottles and non-factory sealed beverage containers with the exception of medical or baby formula needs.

• Roller blades, skates, skateboards, personal golf carts, ATV’s, bikes, scooters except for handicap mobility devices.
• Tents and large umbrellas

• Weapons which include, but not limited to, knives, firearms, explosives, biological/radiological substances, toys that resemble firearms and laser pointers

• Pets with the exception of service animals
• Grills, campfires, generators

• Walkie-talkies, HAM radios, scanners

• Fireworks, kites, mylar balloons, remote-controlled aircraft
• Drones

The following items ARE ALLOWED on Biloxi Beach for the air show:

• Food and beverages, coolers. All local laws regarding consumption of alcohol will be enforced.
• Purses, camera bags, diaper bags
• Portable lawn chairs, collapsible strollers, wagons, blankets

The following items ARE PROHIBITED on Biloxi Beach for the air show:

• Narcotics and Drug Paraphernalia
• Glass containers
• Motor vehicles, except those permitted by the Sand Beach Authority
• Animals of any kind
• Firearms, air guns, or bow and arrows

• Fireworks, kites, mylar balloons, remote controlled aircraft
• Drones

• Fires, except those permitted by the Sand Beach Authority
• Littering. There will be trash containers throughout the venue, please be courteous and use them for your waste. 

On-base small amounts of snacks and drinks are so long as they are not in glass containers and still factory sealed. In addition, no ice chests or coolers (except small coolers for medical supplies or infant formula purposes,) will be allowed. Any drink receptacle not factory sealed, will have to be emptied prior to entry to Keesler AFB. All items brought are subject to approval by gate security personnel and are hand-searched at security checkpoint. On the beach, the only drink or snack restriction are those relating to glass containers. Please see full list of allowed and prohibited items above.

Yes.  A variety of food and beverage choices are available for purchase during normal show hours. All vendors will be centrally located in areas on Keesler AFB and Biloxi Beach.

Yes.  In addition to bottled water for purchase, there will be access to drinking water sites near First-Aid Stations on Keesler AFB, free of charge. Due to the short duration of the Biloxi Beach show, free water will not be available at that location.

Yes, Keesler AFB Medical Group and the Biloxi Veterans Affairs will have First-Aid Centers on-base for both show days.  The First-Aid stations will have medical banners.

On the beach, First-Aid is available at Porter Avenue and Hwy. 90, in addition to roaming Biloxi Fire Department personnel and Pafford units throughout the viewing area along the beach.

First-aid will be provided for issues such as oral hydration, treatment for minor cuts and bruises, and application of emergency medications, e.g. administering Epi-pens. Medical personnel will stabilize and coordinate transportation to higher level of care for all other injuries or illnesses.

Yes. Clean and sanitized portable-toilets, as well as Wash Stations and Handicap Accessible Units will be located throughout the off-base assigned parking areas, Keesler AFB show and along the Biloxi Beach and service drives along Hwy 90. The units will be routinely sanitized throughout the day. 

Yes. Strollers will be searched at the security checkpoint. Please consider bringing hearing protection for small children. Please see full list of allowed and prohibited items above.

Yes. There are no security restrictions on these items. However, on Keesler AFB large camera bags are not permitted. Bring only necessary camera equipment, leaving extra attachments at home. A small fanny pack or vest is useful for carrying small lenses. Please keep in mind that walkie-talkies, HAM radios, scanners, drones, and RC aircraft are prohibited and that everything is subject to search. Please see full list of allowed and prohibited items above.

Yes. There will be concessions at the air show for food, drinks, and souvenirs.

Free transportation is available to Keesler, the beach and then back to your parking lot. Just sign up for a parking reservation!

Tailgating on Keesler AFB or in the event area is not permitted.  However, along Beach Blvd, parking is available on a first-come first-serve basis.  The show can be easily seen from locations along the beach from the I-110 loop to Iberville Drive.  Park only in marked areas and no parking in the median or on sidewalks. Please be respectful of private property. For safety, only cross roadways at designated locations such as a corner or crosswalk. Please do not obstruct boardwalks or sidewalks; keep this area open for pedestrians only. Please do not move or go around officially placed barricades. During the event weekend, all service drives on U.S. 90 close at 10 p.m. unless posted otherwise. Vehicles not removed are subject to being towed.  Loudspeakers will be positioned at show center on Biloxi Beach and we will also air the narration of the show on FM 104.9 and the hosted broadcast can be streamed live on Fox LiveNOW from 2p.m-5p.m on both Saturday and Sunday.

Attendees are not required to have a military identification card. The event is open to the public. Free transportation is available to Keesler AFB, Biloxi beach and back to assigned parking lots. Ensure you sign up for a parking reservation! Individuals with a military identification card, please also use the reservation site  for updates and alerts. Parking and rotating shuttles are available on-base to transport you to the show’s entrance.  Everyone parking on base will be required to show their military identification card.

Yes, with proper planning Keesler's Visitor's Center can provide passes for short-term visits. All sponsors must direct their non-Department of Defense affiliated guests to the Keesler Visitor Center during normal duty hours (Mon-Friday 6 a.m. – 3 p.m.), where the visitor can be verified and receive a pass. Only valid DoD ID cardholders are authorized to sponsor visitors onto Keesler AFB. This includes active-duty military, retirees, Reservists, National Guard and their family members or a civilian DoD employee. Please visit https://www.keesler.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Article/2703050/visitors-center-and-gate-hours/ for more information on sponsoring visitors to the installation prior to attending the Air Show.

During the Thunder Over the Sound weekend, Keesler’s Visitor Center will be closed.  To expedite the flow of spectators into the base, entry controllers at the gates WILL NOT be issuing visitors passes.

Sponsors accept full responsibility for their visitor's conduct while on Keesler AFB.

Yes. Many of the performers make themselves available for autographs and pictures during the morning portion of the show on Keesler AFB.

Due to the nature of the event, it is highly encouraged you bring hearing protection – especially for children.

Both! The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform their aerial demonstrations both days, weather permitting.

There are limited areas of shade available throughout the flight line. You can take a walk through one of our larger static displays to get a break from the sun, as well as a few open hangars featuring displays.

In the event of rain, some flying demonstrations may be delayed. However, unless the weather poses a serious threat to the safety of the visitors and participants, the show will proceed as scheduled with some modifications.  In the event of an Air Show cancellation, announcements will be coordinated with local news agencies as well as on Keesler AFB official social media accounts.  Reserve your parking spot today to receive updates via email and text regarding any changes to the air show.  

Small rain umbrellas are permitted, but large golf or shade umbrellas are banned as they may block the view of spectators behind you. Please see full list of allowed and prohibited items above.

No, there will be designated smoking areas annotated on the Air Show map.  For Biloxi Beach, please be courteous of those around you should you choose to use tobacco products. If you experience problems with this issue, please notify our roving security teams.  

Buses will be running routes regularly during the Keesler AFB event returning to your assigned parking lots and then back to Keesler AFB until 15 minutes before the end of the show so they can prepare to transition to Biloxi Beach. Buses will not run from Biloxi Beach to the parking lots until after the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performance is over.  Please see the schedule of events for show times. Every time you board the bus to Keesler AFB, you are subject to rescreening and all items brought are subject to approval by gate security personnel and are hand-searched at security checkpoint.

Yes, the crowd will walk to the South end of the runway, toward the STEM Expo, to get on the bus designated by their event bracelet with the destination of Biloxi Beach.  All spectators will be dropped off at a designated site on Biloxi Beach for the remainder of the show.  Following the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performance, everyone will return to their drop-off location along the Biloxi Beach and return to the parking lot that corresponds with their event bracelet. Parking and beach viewing areas are assigned in the parking reservation system on a first-come, first-served basis, so sign up early to get the best spot!

You can find visitor information on the City of Biloxi’s official website, here!

Reserve your parking spot today to receive updates via email and text regarding any changes to the air show.  You can also follow us on Facebook to get the latest news on Thunder Over the Sound and Keesler AFB!  

The show can be easily seen from locations along the beach from the I-110 loop to Iberville Drive.  Park only in marked areas and no parking in the median or on sidewalks. Please be respectful of private property. For safety, only cross roadways at designated locations such as a corner or crosswalk. Please do not obstruct boardwalks or sidewalks; keep this area open for pedestrians only. Please do not move or go around officially placed barricades. During the event all service drives on U.S. 90 close at 10 p.m. unless posted otherwise. Vehicles not removed are subject to being towed.  Loudspeakers will be positioned at show center on Biloxi Beach and we will also air the narration of the show on FM 104.9 and the hosted broadcast can be streamed live on Fox LiveNOW from 2p.m-5p.m on both Saturday and Sunday.

There will be large yellow buoys that clearly mark the performance area’s perimeter which extend around 3500 ft out from the shoreline and 2.25 miles parallel to the beach. Biloxi Police Department, Department of Marine Resources, and the US Coast Guard will be enforcing the perimeters and will be glad to assist.  To fully enjoy the show, we will also air the narration of the show on FM 104.9 and the hosted broadcast can be streamed live on Fox LiveNOW from 2p.m-5p.m on both Saturday and Sunday.