The open terraces of Namo Ghat beside the Malviya bridge

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Varanasi Air Show 2026: Dates, Passes and Where to Watchवाराणसी एयर शो 2026: तारीख, पास और कहां से देखें

On now: 22 October, 24 October and 25 October 2026

By Kashidwar · Updated 23 October 2026

Show days22, 24 & 25 Oct 2026 (main day 25 Oct)
TimingAround noon–2 pm (not officially announced)
EntryFree from the ghats · no public tickets
Namo GhatClosed to public · invited guests only
Where to watchGhats from Assi to Rajghat · Domri–Ramnagar bank
RulesNo drones within 5 km · boats stopped near Namo Ghat

For the Indian Air Force's 94th anniversary, about 100 aircraft fly over the Ganga at Namo Ghat in 'Wings Over Ganges', Varanasi's first air show, on 22, 24 and 25 October 2026, with the Prime Minister expected on the 25th. Watching is free from the ghats and the far bank, but Namo Ghat itself is closed to the public: its stands are for invited guests only. Here are the dates, where to stand, how passes work, and the traffic and drone rules.

Varanasi air show dates and timings

Not officially confirmed — check before you travel

The display is staged on three days: Thursday 22 October, Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October 2026. A full dress rehearsal took place on 21 October between 11 am and 2 pm. The 25th is the concluding day, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to attend, so crowds and security are heaviest then.

No official start time has been published for the show days. Advance reports put the flying window at roughly noon to 2 pm, in line with the rehearsal; arrive well before noon and follow police announcements on the day.

Sources: [1] · [2] · [7] · [8]

What you will see: about 100 aircraft over the Ganga

'Wings Over Ganges' marks the Indian Air Force's 94th anniversary. About 100 aircraft take part, flying in from 12 air bases: 52 fighters, 15 transport aircraft, 32 helicopters and one historic aircraft. The Army and Navy join with helicopters and a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, and the IAF's Garud special forces also feature.

The highlights are the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, flying nine Hawk Mk 132 jets with tricolour smoke, and the Sarang helicopter display team. Fighters on the list include the Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Jaguar and Tejas, which flies a low-level solo routine. The flypast is planned in 18 named formations — among them Kashi, Varuna, Ganga (a flower shower by Chetak helicopters), Sarnath and Prachand — closing with a C-17 leading the nine Suryakiran Hawks. The final line-up can change on the day.

Sources: [4] · [6] · [2]

Passes and tickets: what is real and what is not

There is no public ticket for the air show. Watching from the ghats and the riverbanks is free and open to everyone.

Do not pay anyone for an 'air show pass', 'Namo Ghat entry' or 'VIP seat': no official ticket sale has been announced.
Websites and agents offering 'air show booking' at Namo Ghat are not official sources. A paid boat or tour package cannot get you into the closed area.
If someone offers a pass for money, report it to the Varanasi Police (dial 112).

Namo Ghat itself is closed to the general public on show and rehearsal days for security. The district administration has built a VIP gallery there for invited guests only — about 5,600 guests from across the country, who arrive by a separate route. These invitations are issued by the organisers; they are not sold.

Sources: [8] · [2] · [5] · [7]

Where to watch the air show for free

The aircraft fly over the river, so the whole stretch of ghats from Assi to Rajghat has a view; the closer you are to Namo Ghat at the northern end, the closer the formations pass. On the far bank, people from Chandauli district can watch from the open plains and riverbanks between Domri and Ramnagar, where about 300 m of ground opposite Namo Ghat has been levelled for extra seating. One viewing zone has room for about three lakh people.

To manage the crowd, police have set up five holding areas: Durga Temple, Lanka Maidan, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, the BHU campus and UP College. Use the viewing areas police direct you to, and do not climb rooftops, trees or ghat structures.

Sources: [8] · [3] · [1] · [2] · [7]

Traffic diversions and how to get there

On show days, trucks, state and private buses and tempo travellers from outside the city are routed via the Ring Road and NH-19; heavy vehicles from Mirzapur go via Aurai and Bhadohi. Ambulances and essential services keep running. Passengers leaving buses continue by auto, e-rickshaw or city bus: special routes run from Sandaha to BHU, Jagatpur Degree College to Cantt bus station and Harhua to Cantt railway station, with air-show autos and e-rickshaws from Sandaha and Ashapur.

Expect long walks: pedestrian routes lead towards Namo Ghat from Maidagin, Lahurabir, Padav, Assi and Ravidas Ghat, and from Padav via Sujabad and the Rajghat bridge. Boats on the Ganga near Namo Ghat are stopped on show days, so do not plan to watch from a boat there.

Sources: [1] · [2]

Rules, security and safety tips

Flying drones is banned within 5 km of the ghats on both banks, and unauthorised drone use will lead to legal action. The city is split into 50 sectors with 82 temporary police posts and more than 11,900 personnel, including NDRF, SDRF, water police and the ATS; the ghats are under CCTV watched from the Trinetra control centre. Three green corridors keep ambulance routes open, one of them from Namo Ghat to Kabir Chaura hospital.

Up to 40 lakh visitors are expected. Leave early, carry water, sun protection and any medicines, agree on a meeting point with children and older relatives, and follow police directions on routes and exits.

Sources: [1] · [2]

Frequently asked questions

When is the Varanasi air show 2026?

On 22, 24 and 25 October 2026 at Namo Ghat. The 25th is the main day, with the Prime Minister expected.

Is there a ticket or pass for the Varanasi air show?

No public ticket. Watching from the ghats and riverbanks is free; passes exist only for invited guests in the Namo Ghat VIP gallery and are not sold.

Can I enter Namo Ghat during the air show?

No. Namo Ghat is closed to the general public on show and rehearsal days; watch from the other ghats or the far bank.

What time does the air show start?

No official time has been announced. Reports suggest roughly noon to 2 pm, like the rehearsal; arrive before noon.

Where is the best place to watch for free?

The ghats from Assi to Rajghat, closer to Namo Ghat at the northern end, or the Domri–Ramnagar bank opposite, where extra seating ground has been levelled.

Which aircraft are in the Varanasi air show?

About 100, including the Suryakiran team's nine Hawks, the Sarang helicopters, Rafale, Su-30 MKI, Mirage 2000, MiG-29, Jaguar, Tejas, Apache, Chinook and C-17.

Can I fly a drone or take a boat to watch?

No. Drones are banned within 5 km of the ghats on both banks, and boats near Namo Ghat are stopped on show days.