Even Santa knows the A-10 Warthog is a little too much airplane for his holiday travels! While he won't be arriving aboard the Museum's famous A-10, Santa has arranged a special airplane arrival of his own.

Families are invited to welcome Santa as his aircraft arrives at approximately 11:00 AM, weather permitting, kicking off a festive celebration from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

Adding a little mystery to the festivities, Santa's elves have hinted that he will be bringing a special surprise for the first 50 children ages 11 and under, while supplies last. Just what Santa has planned will remain a secret until the big day!

Following his arrival, children and families will have the opportunity to visit Santa, capture holiday photos, enjoy cookies and hot cocoa, and browse the Museum Gift Shop for unique Christmas gifts. Visitors can also explore the Museum's remarkable collection of historic aircraft and discover Hagerstown's rich aviation heritage.

Children ages 11 and under receive FREE admission. Regular museum admission pricing applies to visitors ages 12 and older.

"Thanksgiving weekend is a wonderful time for families to come together, and we wanted to offer something a little different from the traditional Black Friday shopping experience," said John Seburn, Executive Director and President of the Hagerstown Aviation Museum. "Watching Santa arrive by airplane, spending time together, and exploring our historic aircraft is a memorable way to begin the Christmas season."

Located at the historic Fairchild aircraft manufacturing site in Hagerstown, the Museum is home to one of the world's most significant collections of historic Fairchild aircraft, preserving more than a century of regional aviation history.

Event: Santa's Special Airplane Arrival

Date: Friday, November 27, 2026

Time: 11:00 AM–2:00 PM

Santa's Arrival: 11:00 AM (weather permitting; arrival aircraft is not the A-10)

Location: Hagerstown Aviation Museum, 18450 Showalter Road, Building 8, Hagerstown, Maryland

Admission: Children 11 and under FREE; regular museum admission applies to ages 12 and older.

Activities: Santa's airplane arrival, photos with Santa, cookies and hot cocoa, holiday shopping, historic aircraft exhibits, and a special surprise for the first 50 children ages 11 and under (while supplies last).

Members of the media are invited to cover Santa's scheduled airplane arrival at 11:00 AM, weather permitting. The event offers opportunities for photography and video coverage of Santa's arrival, families welcoming him, and holiday activities among the Museum's historic aircraft.

Media representatives interested in covering the event are encouraged to contact the Museum in advance to coordinate access and arrival details.

The Hagerstown Aviation Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and presenting more than a century of aviation history in the Hagerstown region. Over the past 30 years, the museum has grown into the world’s largest collection of historic Fairchild aircraft, including the PT-19, XNQ, C-82, C-119 Flying Boxcar, C-123K, F-27, and most recently, the A-10 Warthog.

The museum maintains an extensive archive of more than 15,000 photographs and thousands of artifacts, documents, films, and artwork. Visitors can also experience flight in the museum’s fully restored 1943 Fairchild PT-19.