You're Invited! Udvar-Hazy Center's 15th Anniversary Celebration is December 15th {FREE Admission & Parking!}
By Kim HumphreyPosted Dec 04, 2018
Boeing Aviation Hangar at National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution
It's hard to believe that it has already been 15 years since the National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center opened its doors in Northern Virginia. Since then, the Center has become a beloved community institution in the Dulles corridor, hosting many family-friendly events each year, including their uber popular annual Air & Scare Halloween event that draws thousands of costume-clad youngsters and their families.
Over the past 15 years, Udvar-Hazy Center has welcomed nearly 20 million air and space enthusiasts through their doors. They are celebrating their 15th anniversary in a big way with a day packed full of FREE fun and learning. While admission to the Museum is free all year round, a generous supporter has stepped up to make parking free for the event as well (regularly, $15)!
The event takes place on December 15th from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. There will be special talks and presentations throughout the day, musical performances by the Loudoun Jazz Ensemble at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m., and several fun activities just for kids. Kids' activities include story times for the little ones; Mars Experience bus rides (10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.) where young visitors get to experience the Martian surface; and Smithsonian TechQuest: Race to the Moon, an alternate reality game where kids can explore the race to space by the first American astronauts.
Mars Experience Bus Ride at National Air and Space Museum's Udvar-Hazy Center Courtesy of Smithsonian Institution
In addition to the special anniversary festivities, all of the Museum's favorites will be on display to explore. Family favorites include the Space Shuttle Discovery, Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, the Airbus IMAX Theater (check shows and times by date here), and the Observation Tower where you can get a great view of airplanes taking off and landing at nearby Dulles Airport.
Looking for more family fun during the holiday season? Check out our guide to free and cheap holiday fun for families in the Washington, D.C. area.
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