Name: Berlin-Gatow Airfield Festival / Reservist Day 2026
Start: 2026-09-05T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-09-06T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr – Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow

Flugplatzfest Gatow

About Flugplatzfest Gatow

Once a year, the Bundeswehr Military History Museum on the former Berlin-Gatow airfield transforms into an open festival meadow. Historic aircraft are demonstrated, a large model building exhibition runs in the hangars, a field kitchen serves pea soup, and over 80 exhibitors present vehicles and uniforms. With a children's program, stage, and bouncy castles. September 5-6, 2026: open 10 am-6 pm, free admission. Also, the Reservist Day of the Bundeswehr.

Dates 05 Sep — 06 Sep 2026

Venue Berlin (11000)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Flugplatzfest Gatow — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 2026 Airfield Festival in Berlin-Gatow takes place on September 5 and 6, from 10 am to 6 pm daily. Over 80 exhibitors, flight demonstrations with historic aircraft (weather permitting), model building exhibition in Hangar 5, Bundeswehr field kitchen, Reservist Day of the Bundeswehr, and a family program. Free admission.

The 2026 Airfield Festival, like every year, combines the large Bundeswehr reservist gathering with an open day at the museum. Over 80 exhibitors are spread across the outdoor area and hangars. Highlights include: military vehicles, uniforms from various eras, aviation history collectibles, and reservist associations.

In Hangar 5, the IPMS model building exhibition (International Plastic Modellers Society Germany) opens as usual – one of Germany's largest model shows. Hundreds of models of aircraft, ships, and vehicles are presented; model builders offer tips and workshops.

Highlights Flugplatzfest Gatow 2026

80+ exhibitors with vehicles, uniforms, and collections
Flight demonstrations with historic aircraft (weather permitting)
IPMS model building exhibition in Hangar 5
Bundeswehr field kitchen serving pea soup and Bockwurst
Reservist Day of the Bundeswehr
Free admission, free parking

Programme Flugplatzfest Gatow 2026

Saturday, September 5, 2026 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

10:00 am – Festival opens, exhibitors' stands open
Morning – Welcome speeches by Bundeswehr / Reservist Association
Midday – First flight demonstrations (weather permitting), field kitchen opens
Afternoon – Main flight demonstrations with historic aircraft
Hangar 5: IPMS model building exhibition ongoing
Permanent special exhibition 'Stopover' open
6:00 pm – End of day

Sunday, September 6, 2026 – 10:00 am to 6:00 pm

Morning – Exhibitor activities continue, ecumenical church service
Midday – Flight demonstrations, stage program
Afternoon – Family program, bouncy castles, children's painting, kite crafting
Hangar 5: IPMS model building exhibition continues
Bundeswehr Music Corps or Brass Band in the late afternoon
6:00 pm – Festival closes

The exact exhibitor list and flight demonstration schedule will be published in August 2026 at mhm-gatow.de.

Prices Flugplatzfest Gatow 2026

Free admission. Parking at the airfield grounds is free. Food and drinks available from the field kitchen and snack stands.

Practical information

Practical information — Flugplatzfest Gatow

Getting There

S-Bahn lines S3/S9 to Spandau, then bus 135 to Kurpromenade, followed by a 15-minute walk. Alternatively, special trips / shuttle (often offered by the museum, details on the festival website). By car: ample free parking directly on the airfield grounds.

Opening Hours

Saturday and Sunday, 10 am–6 pm each day. Flight demonstrations are weather-dependent, usually in the afternoon.

Admission

Free. Food and drinks available from the field kitchen and snack stands on site.

From RAF Base to Museum Site

The Berlin-Gatow airfield in the Spandau district has a eventful history. Built in 1934/35 as a Luftwaffe air war school, Gatow was an RAF base for the British Western Allies from 1945 to 1994 – one of Berlin's three civilian and military airports (alongside Tempelhof and Tegel). In 1995, the Bundeswehr took over the area, and since 1998, it has housed the Bundeswehr Military History Museum, Gatow branch.

Collection with 155 Aircraft

The museum houses one of Europe's largest aviation collections: 155 aircraft and helicopters, plus over 200,000 objects from German and European aerospace history. Hangar 3 displays aircraft from East and West (from the American F-4 Phantom to the Soviet MiG-21), while the outdoor areas feature large transport aircraft. The control tower building of the former RAF base has been preserved and is part of the exhibition.

The Airfield Festival – An Open Meadow Once a Year

On one weekend in September, the museum invites you to its large Airfield Festival. Over 80 exhibitors present vehicles, uniforms, military history collections, model building, and reservist associations. In Hangar 5, a large IPMS model building exhibition (International Plastic Modellers Society) takes place. The main stage features a program with Bundeswehr music corps, speeches, and demonstrations.

Flight Demonstrations and Family Program

In good weather, historic aircraft take off and land on the former runway – planes like the DC-3, some private pilot classics, or police and Bundeswehr helicopters. For children, there are bouncy castles, kite crafting, and face painting. The Bundeswehr field kitchen serves pea soup and Bockwurst.

Spandau and Gatow

Gatow belongs to the Spandau district, in the far west of Berlin, near the Havel River. Getting there is a bit involved (no direct S-Bahn or U-Bahn connection), but it is more than compensated for by the unique location and the museum grounds. With free admission, the festival attracts between 15,000 and 30,000 visitors over a weekend.