Yes. All foreign nationals, defined as non-U.S. citizens or anyone without legal permanent residence status, must possess and present a valid passport demonstrating their current legal status in the United States to gain entrance to the 2026 NAS Patuxent River Air Show.

Paper copies or pictures of the passport will not be accepted. ALL foreign nationals will be biometrically enrolled while passing through the security screening checkpoints entering the Air Show each day.

If you leave and return on the same day, you may be subject to re-enrollment.

Yes. The Pax River Air Show is free and open to the public.

The public will be able to access the event space through one of four General Public Entry Control Points, each with four walk-through stations and one walk through station for bag check. Guests should expect to go through a walk-through Magnetometer and or be waived with a handheld metal detector prior to entry.

• Tobacco products, vapes and lighters
• Coolers/ice chests (with the exception for medically necessary items which are permitted after proper inspection at a specified lane at each gate)
• No outside food or beverage.
• Large traditional seat cushions that have pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers are not permitted
• FRS/GMRS radios, VHF band and other scanners
• Transmitters/trans-receivers
• Backpacks and duffel bags are prohibited. Beach bags, diaper bags, and camera bags are allowed, but must be inspected prior to entry. See-through plastic bags are allowed and do not require inspection.
• Weapons of any kind (regardless of permit) to include – but not limited to –  firearms, knives (including pocket knives and multi-tools), replica or toy weapons, pepper spray, mace, stun guns, and martial arts weapons. This also applies to off-duty law enforcement. Any confiscated items will not be returned.
• Pets (other than service animals)
• Glass containers
• Bicycles, roller skates, roller blades, scooters (kick and electric), skateboards, or hoverboards
• Personal drones (e.g. quad or hex copters) or other remote-controlled aircraft or balloons
• Lasers or laser pointers
• Tents, pop-ups, canopies
• Umbrellas
•  Tailgating/BBQ
•  Federally banned substances such as illicit narcotics, CBD, and THC products, and marijuana

• Keys, makeup, feminine products, comb, phone, wallet, credit cards, etc. in your pockets if you choose not to put them in a clear bag
• Beach bags, diaper bags, and camera bags are allowed, but must be inspected prior to entry. See-through plastic bags (not to exceed 12”x6”x12”) are allowed and do not require inspection. 
• Clear seat cushions and seat pads without pockets, zippers, compartments, or covers are permitted
• Empty bottles for water
• Infant necessities like milk and formula
• Wagons and strollers
• Service animals
• Laptop computers/iPads, if brought in a clear bag. No laptop bags/briefcase bags will be permitted.
• Binoculars
• Handheld portable televisions, radios, and scanners
• Cameras and camcorders
• Beach folding chairs, lawn chairs, and stadium chairs, but must be out of the bag
   

Clear bags must be made of clear plastic, vinyl or PVC and cannot exceed 12x6x12.

•   One gallon clear plastic freezer bag (ziplock bag or similar) is permitted.
•   Each guest may carry ONLY one bag.
•   Non-clear bags (clutch purses, diaper bags, medical bags, and camera bags) will be searched before entering the event area.
•   All bags will be searched upon entry, please take foldable chairs out of storage bag.