Fleet Week 2026 with the Family: Blue Angels, Ships & Where to Watch

Fleet Week is San Francisco’s biggest free family spectacle: Navy ships sailing under the Golden Gate, the Blue Angels roaring over the bay, and open ship tours on the waterfront. The 2026 edition runs October 4–12, with the big show weekend Friday–Sunday, October 9–11. It’s extra special this year: the Blue Angels are back after missing 2025, and the show marks both America’s 250th birthday and the team’s 80th anniversary.

The 2026 schedule

Parade of Ships · Friday, Oct 9, 11am–noon

Navy ships sail in under the Golden Gate Bridge and along the waterfront toward the Bay Bridge, led by an SF Fire Department fireboat spraying jets of water. The official reviewing stand is at Marina Green.

Official details

Air Show · Friday–Sunday, Oct 9–11, afternoons

The Blue Angels headline, joined by the F-22 Raptor and F-35B demo teams, a choreographed United 777, Coast Guard aircraft and more, all flying over the bay between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The flying runs roughly noon to 4pm (some official listings say 10am), and the Blue Angels usually go last, around 3–4pm.

Air show lineup

Free ship tours · Oct 7, 8, 10, 11 & 12

Climb aboard visiting Navy and Coast Guard ships at Piers 27 and 35, first come, first served. Wednesday: Pier 27 10am–1pm, Pier 35 10am–4pm. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: both piers 10am–4pm. Monday: Pier 35 only, 9am–noon. No tours Friday. Adults 18+ need government ID, anyone under 18 must be with an adult, and bags are limited to 12 × 6 × 12 inches.

Ship tour rules

Fleet Fest + STEM Center · Oct 10–11, 9am–5pm

A free festival at Fisherman’s Wharf (by the SkyStar Wheel) and Pier 27, with military and local bands, food trucks, and a hands-on STEM area where Navy Seabees, Marines, the Coast Guard and the Army demo engineering, water purification and rescue gear.

Fleet Fest

K9 Heroes · Saturday, Oct 10, Duboce Park

Free demos by working dogs: search and rescue, therapy, detection and police dogs. Check the official calendar for the exact time.

Details

Free band concerts around town · Oct 6–12

Military bands play free neighborhood shows, including Noe Valley Town Square (Tue 10/6, 6pm), Pier 39 (5pm Wed–Sun), Ghirardelli Square, Presidio Tunnel Tops and the Golden Gate Park Bandshell (Fri 10/9, noon), and the SF Zoo (Sun 10/11, 3pm).

Full calendar

Italian Heritage Parade · Sunday, Oct 11, 12:30pm

Same weekend, same neighborhood: the parade runs from Fisherman’s Wharf up Columbus Avenue to Washington Square in North Beach. Expect extra crowds near the Wharf on Sunday.

Best free places to watch with kids

Marina Green

The front row. It’s flat and grassy with Golden Gate views, right under the flight line, and home to the parade reviewing stand. Best close-up views and easy for strollers, but it’s the most crowded and exposed spot and parking nearby is scarce.

Crissy Field (Presidio)

A big lawn and beach just west of Marina Green with room to spread out, and kids can dig in the sand between flyovers. It gets windy, so bring jackets. In past years the Presidio has had limited paid parking and encouraged the free Presidio GO shuttle.

Presidio Tunnel Tops

Higher ground set back from the water, with a great nature playground, lawns and food vendors. The planes look smaller from here, but it’s the most kid-friendly setup for a long afternoon.

Fort Mason Great Meadow

A grassy hillside above the bay between Marina Green and Aquatic Park. The slope gives you sightlines over the crowd, but it fills early.

Aquatic Park, Ghirardelli Square & Fisherman’s Wharf

Close to restrooms, food and the Fleet Fest festivities, with free band concerts at Ghirardelli and Pier 39. The trade-off: this is the most crowded stretch of the waterfront.

Telegraph Hill / Coit Tower

A panoramic view of the whole show area with fewer people. It’s a steep climb and the planes look smaller, but it’s calm. Muni’s 39 Coit goes up the hill.

Prefer a reserved seat? Official paid seating at Marina Green is sold through the Fleet Week website.

Getting there

• Take Muni. Riders 18 and under ride free (cable cars excepted). Fleet Week organizers strongly recommend transit because parking and traffic are brutal.
• SFMTA changes, Oct 9–11: On Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5pm, F-line streetcars turn around at Pier 39, with extra buses between the Ferry Building and the Wharf. Buses replace the Powell/Mason cable car Saturday and Sunday (11am–7pm) and the Powell/Hyde line on Saturday. Extra 28 and 49 service runs to Van Ness & North Point. SFMTA travel update
• Driving? Reserve a garage ahead, and expect Presidio and waterfront road closures on show afternoons. Closures are announced the week of the event.

Tips for families

• Protect little ears. The jets are extremely loud. Bring kids’ earmuffs or earplugs.
• Leave pets at home. Animal Care & Control sees lost dogs every Fleet Week. Keep pets inside and make sure they’re microchipped.
• Dress for two seasons. Sun and cold wind often come on the same afternoon. Bring hats, sunscreen, layers and a blanket.
• Arrive early and stake out a spot. Waterfront lawns fill well before the flying starts. Agree on a meet-up spot in case anyone gets separated.
• Fog happens. October fog can reshuffle or shorten the show, especially late in the afternoon.
• Bathrooms: lines grow by early afternoon. Ghirardelli Square, the Maritime Museum area and Pier 39 have restrooms.

More free family events this fall

Schedule checked against fleetweeksf.org and SFMTA in September 2026. Times can change, so check the official calendar before you go.