2024 EVENTS

2024
ELVINGTON 44/45 - THE FIGHT FOR LIBERTY

We can now reveal our theme for the next year – 'Elvington 44/45 The Fight For Liberty'. The covers not just the 80th anniversary of D-Day but much more besides, including the arrival of two French Squadrons at RAF Elvington, just weeks before the Normandy landings. As with our Falklands and Cold War themes in recent years, we are focussing on telling stories through the prism of aircraft in our collections and, in this instance, also through the site itself. There will be new displays, videos and information boards around our Halifax Mk III and our Douglas Dakota, with the latter having been painted with invasion stripes. Displays will drop into place over the next few weeks and we aim to add more material across the year, in the run up to the anniversary of VE Day in 2025.

March 16th
THUNDER DAY

A chance to experience some of our aircraft performing static engine runs. This is likely to include: Victor, Nimrod, Jet Provost, Dakota, Devon, Kitten, SE5a (all subject to serviceability). The Buccaneer is not scheduled to run for technical reasons.
NOTE: specific Thunder Day tickets are needed for this event. Usual ticketing, including returns, is suspended on Thunder Day. We strongly advise pre-booking, as this event can sell out.

April 6th
BUCCANEER DAY

April 6th is our Buccaneer Day, marking 30 years since this ground breaking, Yorkshire-built, jet retired from RAF service. Originally designed for use by the Royal Navy in attacking Soviet naval vessels, this incredible low-level jet has served as a potential nuclear bomber during the Cold War and saw action in the first Gulf War.
The Yorkshire Air Museum has three Blackburn Buccaneers: in the colours of the Royal Navy, RAF Germany and operation Desert Storm. They will be on display together outside the main hangar and the public will have a chance to get a little closer than normal.
The highlight of the day will be a live running of the ‘Navy Bucc’ – aircraft XN974 (subject to serviceability). In the evening there will be a Night Shoot – a chance to photograph these three magnificent jets under specially lit conditions, complete with re-enactors posing as pilots.
There is no extra charge for the daytime events, but the Buccaneer Night Shoot will cost £35. Tea and coffee are included in the ticket price and the museum café will be open to serve hot food.

April 20th
OPEN COCKPITS

Your chance to get inside the cockpits of some of your favourite aircraft. More details to follow.
NOTE: specific Open Cockpit tickets are needed for this event. Usual ticketing, including returns, is suspended. We strongly advise pre-booking, as this event can sell out.

May 10th - 12th
WE'LL MEET AGAIN WEEKEND

Celebrating the 1940s and marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day with reenactors, displays vintage vehicles, music and dance on the site of an original WW2 RAF bomber base. Taking centre stage will be our Halifax MkIII bomber ’Friday the 13th’, along with our Douglas Dakota in D-Day markings.
NOTE: This is a normal ticketing day - no special tickets are required.

May 16th
FRENCH ANNIVERSARY

Details tbc

JUNE 6th
D-DAY 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Details tbc

JULY 6th / 7th
COLD WAR WHEELS

Details tbc

JULY 28th
GOLDEN ERA MOTORCYCLES

Details tbc

SEPT 1st
ALLIED AIR FORCES MEMORIAL DAY

Sept 14th
OPEN COCKPITS

Your chance to get inside the cockpits of some of your favourite aircraft. More details to follow.

PLAN YOUR VISIT

We hope these resources will help you have a wonderful experience when visiting and help you get the most from your day out with us.

BOOK YOUR TICKETS ONLINE NOW!