The Blue Angels during a demonstration at Fleet Week in San Francisco, 2023.
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
Since its inception in 1981, San Francisco’s annual Fleet Week celebration has become one of the country’s largest events of its kind, bringing out locals and visitors alike to enjoy the festive scene and explore ships, marvel at aerial acrobatics and meet with service members in uniform. This year it is scheduled to take place over the week of Monday, Oct. 7, through Oct. 14.
You might catch sight of aircraft participating in the Fleet Week air shows during the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival in Golden Gate Park.
Manuel Orbegozo/Special to The Chronicle
• Maneuvers: Blue Angels practice over S.F. in prelude to weekend of noisy thrills
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In addition to the event’s on-site offerings, there are a few opportunities to get a taste of the Fleet Week fanfare from nearby community events with overlapping dates. Catch a glimpse of a practice run from the gravity-defying Blue Angels while camped out on a picnic blanket in Golden Gate Park during the free Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival, scheduled for Friday-Sunday, Oct. 4-6. Its stellar lineup of live performances includes sets from Emmylou Harris, Sleater-Kinney, Yo La Tengo, Tony Trischka, Chuck Prophet, Molly Tuttle, Aoife O’Donovan, Steve Earle and many others on five main stages nestled in meadows west of the park’s botanical garden.
H.M.A.S Brisbane members walk during the 151st Italian Heritage Parade in North Beach, San Francisco, 2019.
Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle
The 156th iteration of North Beach’s Italian Heritage celebration offers additional fun during Fleet Week, with a block party and neighborhood lighting ceremony, the Saints Peter and Paul Bazaar, a memorial ceremony at sea, fishing boat parade and more. Its culminating San Francisco Italian Heritage parade — on Sunday, Oct. 13 — kicks off just as the final Fleet Week air shows take to the skies.
Visitors are escorted on public tours on the flight deck of the US Navy amphibious assault ship USS Essex during a past Fleet Week in San Francisco.
Paul Chinn/The Chronicle
Ship tours
Climb aboard destroyers, cruisers and amphibious carriers to peek into the day-to-day life of sailors.
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10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 9-13; 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 14. Free. The Embarcadero, Piers 15/17, 27, 30/32 and 35. S.F.
Honor Our Fallen Tribute Concert
The evening program and concert will feature a performance by the United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band.
6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10. Free, reservations required. Herbst Theatre, 401 Van Ness Ave., S.F.
A member of the U.S. Navy parachute team know as the “Leap Frogs,” performs an aerial demonstration during a past San Francisco Fleet Week.
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Burgain/U.S. Navy
Expo on Marina Green Humanitarian Assistance Village
In an open-air interactive exhibition, attendees can learn about first responders’ humanitarian relief and disaster protocols; see water purification, communications equipment, emergency response vehicles and more. A STEM education center onsite will include robotics, energy and STEM-related programming and interactive exhibits.
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10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 11-13. Free. Marina Green, 200 Marina Blvd., S.F. www.sfchadr.org
Fleet Week Air Shows
Watch aircraft, including the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Coast Guard planes and others, execute aeronautical maneuvers above the bay. The Blue Angels are expected to perform around 3:15 p.m. daily as part of the air show that runs Friday through Sunday.
10 a.m-4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday Oct. 12-13. Free. Premium seating $140-$425, reservations required. Marina Green and viewing locations around the bay.
The USS John P. Murtha US Navy amphibious transport ship, arrives under the Golden Gate Bridge for Fleet Week while escorted by a San Francisco Fire Department’s Fireboat 3, in San Francisco, 2023.
JOSH EDELSON/Josh Edelson / SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
Parade of Ships
View the armada of Fleet Week ships as they sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and enter the bay. Visiting ships cruising toward S.F. ports can be seen from the Golden Gate Bridge with a reviewing stand and lawn space at the Marina Green and around Presidio Tunnel Tops park. The San Francisco Fire Department will escort the parade with a fire boat shooting jets of water into the air.
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11 a.m.-noon. Friday, Oct. 11. Free. Viewable from various locations around the bay.
U.S. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon
An elite 24-marine unit, known for expert drill exhibitions without verbal commands, will perform twice daily.
11 a.m. Friday-Sunday, Oct. 11-13, at Marina Green; 4 p.m. Friday at Union Square, downtown S.F.; 3 p.m. Saturday-Sunday at Fleet Fest, Pier 30/32, S.F. Free.
U.S. Pacific Fleet Band get ready to play at Pier 39 during a past Fleet week in San Francisco.
Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle
Fleet Fest
Celebrate our nation’s sea services at a festival on the pier that will play host to the Navy’s Fleet Week flagship. With live music from local and military bands, food and drinks, vendor marketplace, exhibits, educational experiences and family-friendly activities.
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10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12; 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. Free. Pier 30/32, S.F.
High School Band Challenge
The United States Marine Corps 1st Marine Division Band will perform at an afternoon event featuring Bay Area high school bands competing to support their school music programs.
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14. Free. Music Pavilion Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, S.F
Other events
The US Navy Blue Angels perform with the F/A 18 Super Hornet jets in San Francisco, 2022.
Paul Kuroda/Special to The Chronicle
Spinsters of San Francisco Presents: 15th Annual ‘Fleet or Flight’ Party
Come dressed in sailor or aviator attire and celebrate active and former members of the armed services for a Fleet Week-inspired dance party that’s set to include cocktails, a photo booth, raffles and more. Proceeds will benefit the Edgewood Center for Children and Family nonprofit.
6:30-9:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11. $48.47-$53.74, reservations required. Westwood, 2036 Lombard St., S.F. 415-887-8575. www.sfspinsters.com
San Francisco Fleet Week Cruise on the SS Jeremiah O’Brien
Honor the contributions of men and women of the U.S. military as you cruise by the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz and the Bay Bridge in a 1943 Liberty ship. Featuring food, drinks, live entertainment with premium views of the waterfront, visiting Navy ships and air shows including U.S. Navy Blue Angels performances.
9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 12-13. $106.49-$196.17, includes food and drinks; reservations required. SS Jeremiah O’Brien, Pier 35, Fisherman’s Wharf, S.F. 415-544-0100. www.ssjeremiahobrien.org
Battlestar Classic 8 Craft Brew Festival
Celebrate the legacy of Rosie the Riveter and the Richmond shipyards at a fundraiser benefiting the historic USS Red Oak Victory ship. Sample beers from more than 30 craft breweries and enjoy live music, food trucks, a California Cornhole Association tournament, self-guided tours of the historic ship and watch the Fleet Week Air Show action over the Bay.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $12.51-$71.21, reservations recommended. SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd., Point Richmond. 510-237-2933. www.redoakvictory.us
The USS Paul Hamilton, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, participates in the Parade of Ships during Fleet Week in San Francisco, 2023.
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle
Fleet Week With a Waterfront Seat
Get front-row views of the Blue Angels and Fleet Week air show with indoor and outdoor observation areas, beer and lunch buffet.
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $50-$100, children under 6 free; reservations recommended. USS Pampanito, Historic Pier 45, S.F. 415-561-6662. www.maritime.org
Sky High & Anchors Aweigh: A Blue Angels Fleet Week
Watch the Blue Angels soar at a party on Commonwealth Club’s rooftop terrace space. Includes cocktails, sweet and savory snacks.
1-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 12. $260, reservations required. The Commonwealth Club, 110 The Embarcadero, S.F. 415-869-5940. www.commonwealthclub.org
SS Red Oak Victory Fleet Week Pancake Breakfast
Hop aboard a World War II ship berthed in the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park for breakfast and live jazz from the Crescent Katz band. Send a free radiogram from the ship’s 1930s-era morse code-only radio room as the Blue Angels fly overhead. The event will include an exhibition of Navy artifacts and a large model of a World War II convoy at sea.
9 a.m.-noon Sunday, Oct. 13. $7.18-$33.85, reservations recommended. SS Red Oak Victory, 1337 Canal Blvd., Point Richmond. 510-237-2933. www.redoakvictory.us
Attendees watch the air show at Fleet Week in San Francisco, 2021.
Jungho Kim/Special to The Chronicle
Cavallo Point Fleet Week Barbecue
Enjoy barbecue fare and live music from Tim Weed & Friends with great views of the air show. Wine and beer for purchase, and a “take flight”-themed craft activity time for kids is available.
Noon-3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. $30-$92.55, reservations required. Cavallo Point Lodge, 601 Murray Circle, Fort Baker, Sausalito. 415-339-4700. www.cavallopoint.com
Fleet Week Air Show Sail on the Matthew Turner
Enjoy sandwiches, snacks and non-alcoholic beverages watching the Fleet Week air show from the deck of a 132-foot-long brigantine sailboat out on the bay.
11:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13. $150-$299, reservations required. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Bay Model, 2100 Bridgeway, Sausalito. 415-331-3214. www.callofthesea.org
A family tries to capture some air show action at Pier 41 in San Francisco, 2022.
Adam Pardee/Special to The Chronicle
How do I get there?
Officials recommend public transportation, as traffic congestion and large crowds are expected, particularly around the Fisherman’s Wharf and Marina Green viewing areas. Check the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency for schedule information.
Before you go
For ship tours, bring government-issued identification. No open-toed shoes, large backpacks, pets, weapons or food are allowed on the vessels. Children must be at least 7 years old to board. Volunteer options are available for those interested.
Reach Anne Schrager: [email protected]
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