Fleet Week 2026: What to Know About the Schedule, Events and the Blue Angels
Love it for its extravagant airshows or hate it for its decibel level, Fleet Week 2026 has arrived in San Francisco.
This annual weeklong event that “honors the contributions of the men and women of the United States Armed Forces,” according to organizers, runs through Tuesday, Oct. 12.
For those interested, Fleet Week 2026 brings a whole host of events across the city that mark the occasion, including ship tours, air shows and live music. Read on to find out more about Fleet Week and how to attend its celebrations (or just if you’re looking to avoid the noise and the traffic).
What’s the schedule of events for Fleet Week 2026?
You can find the full calendar of official Fleet Week events online.
Highlights include:
- A free concert series featuring the musicians of the U.S. Navy and Marines — many of which are free to attend in the city’s public spaces
- A parade of ships in San Francisco Bay on Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., where the vessels will be sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge
- A celebration of the military’s working dogs at Duboce Park on Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
While there are a lot of events scattered throughout the city, you’ll find many of them happening at Fisherman’s Wharf for Fleet Fest: A large event by the SkyStar Wheel with food, live demonstrations, music and family activities.
When are the Fleet Week air shows with the Blue Angels?
Here’s when to expect roaring overhead: The Fleet Week air shows, headlined by the Navy’s Blue Angels, will take place across Friday, Saturday and Sunday this week — all from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. However, flights could start as early as 10 a.m. those days, according to Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport, which is playing host to these aircraft during Fleet Week.
The air shows will take place between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. If you want to get a view of the lineup of military aircraft (and one United 777) during the air shows, classic viewing spots include Crissy Field, the Marin Headlands and Treasure Island — but prepare for traffic and crowds in these areas.
If you’re hoping for a guaranteed good spot, you can get VIP tickets online.
When else could the skies get noisy during Fleet Week 2026?
The Blue Angels are scheduled to practice for the air shows on Thursday between 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. according to OAK. There’ll also be media flights the day before, on Wednesday between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
While there are live music performances across the city, the louder celebrations — like those airshows — are focused in the northern parts of San Francisco. So while neighborhoods like the Marina and Pacific Heights may be hearing a lot of noise, districts deeper in the city like the Mission, Dogpatch and Noe Valley may be quieter. If you’re concerned about noise, you can consult the map of Fleet Week events to see which areas will experience the loudest sounds this week.
KQED also has a guide on how to keep an eye on your pets’ safety during loud celebrations like fireworks.
How can I do a ship tour for Fleet Week 2026?
Another major feature of Fleet Week is its multiple free ship tours, where visitors can explore massive military vessels docked at the Port of San Francisco.
Tours are available on Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On Monday, they are available from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
While ship tours are free, they are also first-come, first-served. If you are interested in attending, be sure to check out the bag and item policy beforehand. For example, large backpacks are not allowed on the ships, and you can’t wear high heels onboard.
Everyone age 18 and over must bring a valid government-issued ID, and anyone age 17 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.
What should I know about Fleet Week 2026 traffic?
With a massive event like Fleet Week, there will be crowds. Some San Francisco officials even expressed concern earlier this year that the city could see a repeat of the gridlock and bathroom shortages that plagued July 4 celebrations.
You should expect to encounter a lot of people around Fisherman’s Wharf in particular for Fleet Fest. Fleet Week organizers advise visitors to consider using public transportation to its events. You can map out your route on 511.org.
SFMTA has a regularly updated advisory page of transit options on its website, with special options for the airshows and the ship parade.