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Fleet Week San Francisco 2025: Events, Airshows & Pictures
By: Jill Loeffler • Updated: October 9, 2025
Fleet Week San Francisco is an annual event that draws thousands of people into the city.
It's a free event in the Fisherman's Wharf district, and this year it will look quite a bit different than in previous years. With the government shutdown in 2025, the Blue Angels will not perform. The Parade of Ships is cancelled. No US military personnel will participate this year.
But...there are still some fun things to see and do this weekend.
This year, Fleet Week will take place from October 5 to 13, 2025. Most activities, including the large air show, take place over the weekend of October 10-12.
This year's airshow will feature the Jack Aces P-51 Demo Team, the Patriots Jet Team, and the Canadian Snowbirds.
I love capturing the Blue Angels as they fly over the Golden Gate Bridge! They typically perform in the airshow but will not be here in 2025.Fleet Week began in 1981 to honor the US Armed Forces and to educate civilians and military personnel about best practices in humanitarian assistance.
It's held every year in San Francisco on the first or second weekend in October.
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San Francisco Fleet Week Schedule 2025
Almost all of the Fleet Week San Francisco activities are along the northern waterfront district of Fisherman's Wharf. Here is what I know so far about the change in schedule.
Friday, October 10
- 9 am to 4 pm: Ship Tour, ARC Gloria, Pier 15/17
- 10 am to 5 pm: Humanitarian Assistance Village & STEM Center on the Marina Green
- 12:15 pm - 3:30 pm: Air Show, full schedule here
Saturday, October 11
- 8:30 am to 4 pm: Ship Tour, ARC Gloria, Pier 15/17
- 9 am to 5 pm: Fleet Fest near the SkyStar Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf
- 10 am to 5 pm: Humanitarian Assistance Village & STEM Center on the Marina Green
- 12:15 pm - 3:30 pm: Air Show, full schedule here
Sunday, October 12
- 8:30 pm to 4 pm: Ship Tours: ARC Gloria, Pier 15/17 (8:30 am to 4 pm); The Royal Canadian Navy, Pier 19 (9 am to 4 pm)
- 9 am to 5 pm: Fleet Fest near the SkyStar Wheel in Fisherman's Wharf
- 10 am to 5 pm: Humanitarian Assistance Village & STEM Center on the Marina Green
- 12:15 pm - 3:30 pm: Air Show, full schedule here
Monday, October 13
- 8:30 am to 12 pm: Ship Tour of the ARC Gloria
- 9 am to 12 pm: High School Band Challenge in Golden Gate Park
- 4 pm: ARC Gloria departing
*Schedule of events is subject to change at any time.
2025 Airshow Schedule
The airshow will take place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Here is the current schedule, which can change at any time. It will run from 12:15 pm until around 3:30 pm all three days.
- Opening Ceremonies, 12:15 pm
- United Airlines 777 Demo, 12:25 pm
- Jack Aces P-51 Demo Team, 12:37 pm
- Patriots Jet Team, 12:52 pm
- Acemaker T-33, 1:37 pm
- Jack Aces P-51 Demo Team, 2:09 pm
- Randy Howell/Cory Lovell, 2:26 pm
- United Airlines 777 Demo, 2:36 pm
- Canadian Snowbirds, 2:48 pm
Cruises During Fleet Week San Francisco
One of the best ways to watch the airshow over the San Francisco Bay is from a special Fleet Week cruise.
These sell out quickly, so I recommend booking your cruise as soon as you have your plans finalized.
Red & White Fleet 2.5-Hour Fleet Week Cruise
- 2-hour afternoon cruise to see the airshow over San Francisco
- Offered Friday (10/10), Saturday (10/11), and Sunday (10/12) of Fleet Week
- The cruise leaves at 1:45 pm (please arrive at least 30 minutes before departure), and it returns around 4 pm
- Outdoor decks with incredible views of the performance
- Beverages and light snacks are available for purchase at the cash bar
- Leaves from Pier 43 1/2 in Fisherman's Wharf
- $115 for Adults (21+ and includes two drinks), $65 for Youth (5-20), free for those under 5, but they must have tickets to manage capacity on the boat
- Visit their site for ticketing details
Cruise on the SS Jeremiah O'Brien
- Saturday, October 11 and Sunday, October 12 from 11 am to 5 pm (boards at 10 am)
- Cruise around the bay in the morning and get front row seats for the air show in the afternoon
- Catch the air show from 12:30 pm to 4 pm
- Complimentary food and drink, coffee and donuts when you board; hot dog lunch with soft drinks, water, beer, and wine
- Tickets are $175 for adults (age 17+) and $105 for children (age 5-16)
- There is also a 25% discount for the family group option for up to 2 adults and 2 youth
- Find out more and book your seats
Blue & Gold 2.5-Hour Cruise
- Saturday (10/11) and Sunday (10/12), one boat per day, leaving at 1:30 pm and returning at 4 pm, boarding time starts at 1:15 pm, but they ask that you arrive 45 minutes in advance.
- Tickets include a box lunch from Boudin Bakery (sandwich, chips, and cookie)
- Alcoholic beverages and soft drinks are available for purchase at their onboard bar.
- Tickets start at $110 for adults, $70 for children, $85 for seniors and military members, and are free for those under 5
- Find tickets on their site
Fleet Week Cruise with Hornblower
Dates: Saturday & Sunday
Time: Boarding at 1:30 pm, cruising from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Boarding Location: Pier 3 Hornblower Landing
Includes:
- 2-hour lunch cruise on the SF Bay
- Buffet includes entrees, salads, and desserts
- Free-flowing sparkling wine, coffee, orange juice, water, and soft drinks
- Purchase wine, beer, and cocktails throughout the cruise
- Tickets start at $125 for adults, $123 for Military, $110 for children (ages 4 - 12) and kids 3 and under are free, all of these tickets include 29% additional fees
- Visit their site for ticketing details
Additional Activities: Are you looking for some additional fun activities for your visit? Check out my list of the best things to do in October. You will also find a lot of free attractions and activities this month all around SF.
Best Places to Watch the Air Show
The northern side of San Francisco along the bay is CROWDED during the air show.
Most of the airshow takes place over the bay, around Fisherman's Wharf and Fort Mason.
Here are a few places to watch the airshow with some additional notes to think about for each option:
Pier 39
You will be close to the action, but it gets really crowded here.
However, it's a great place to see most of the show.
Try to find a spot with a clear view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Aquatic Park
There is a small stadium here with seats facing out over the bay.
You will get a great view of the Fleet Week San Francisco Air Show from here, although the maneuvers over the Golden Gate Bridge will be harder to see.
Crissy Field
There will be fewer people on this side, which makes it a nicer viewing area.
This is a great place to see the airshow near the bridge.
It is a little further away from the main action, though, so the trees may block out a little bit of the show.
Marina Green
Just to the east of Crissy Field is the Marina Green. This large green space offers a great look at the air show.
You can also buy premium tickets for this area so you don't have to fight for a place to watch the fun.
Tickets for the premium section are already on sale.
You will find them on the official Fleet Week website.
Additional Places to See the Air Show in SF
Here are a few places to see the air show at this year's Fleet Week San Francisco. You won't get great views of the entire airshow, but you will get some great views of the airshow over San Francisco and the Bay.
- Golden Gate Bridge Walkways: You can also see the airshow from the walkways of the Golden Gate Bridge. The eastern walkways are open during the airshow, but they fill up early. I would arrive at least a couple of hours in advance of the start of the airshow in order to get a good spot to see the entire show.
- Twin Peaks: You can also see the airshow during Fleet Week San Francisco from Twin Peaks. You won't get a close up view, but some okay views of the air show.
- Marin Headlands: Another great place is the Marin Headlands. You will see the airshow, but the biggest benefit to this location is being able to see the airshow near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Again, these are not the best spots for the Fleet Week San Francisco airshow, but some alternatives to watching it from the shore along Fisherman's Wharf.
More Things to Do this Weekend in San Francisco
These are some of the other fun things to do during Fleet Week San Francisco or as you are waiting for the big airshow to begin.
San Francisco Theater
Catch a theater performance during your time in San Francisco. Every year, the Golden Gate and Orpheum Theaters welcome hit Broadway musicals.
This year's shows will be announced in the spring so I'll add more details once they are announced.
In addition, smaller theater companies perform at a variety of venues all over town.
>> Find a full list of theater performances this weekend in San Francisco
Free Walking Tours
Every day of the week, SF City Guides offers free walking tours in different districts all over town. Learn more about the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, the Palace of Fine Arts, and more.
>> More details on SF's free walking tours
Concerts in San Francisco
If you love to listen to live music, then you will find plenty of options this weekend in SF. We have venues large and small with everything from well known artists to popular local bands.
>> Click here for a full schedule of concerts this weekend
Additional Fun Tours to Check Out
Hotels for San Francisco Fleet Week
Since more than a million people attend Fleet Week San Francisco each year, I highly recommend booking your hotels early.
Note: Most hotels will not guarantee that you will get a waterfront room to see the show from your room. Plus, you won't get great views of most of the show so I recommend heading outside to watch it.
All events are in Fisherman's Wharf and it's a great place to stay. You can easily walk to and from your hotel to see the shows and enjoy all of the activities.
Here are a few recommendations in this San Francisco neighborhood.
Courtyard by Marriott: 3-star hotel, 2 blocks from the waterfront, next door to In-N-Out Burger, 580 Beach Street, read recent guest reviews and get your room
Marriott Fisherman's Wharf: 3.5-star hotel, 2.5 to 3 blocks to the waterfront, great for those also visiting North Beach, 1250 Columbus Street, read recent reviews and book your room here
Hotel Zoe: 4-star hotel, 3 blocks to the waterfront, steps away from the Powell/Mason cable car turnaround, 425 North Point Street, read reviews from recent guests here
Find additional hotel recommendations for Fisherman's Wharf.
Fleet Week San Francisco Ship Tours
This year, there are only two ship tours as the US military is not participating in Fleet Week 2025.
The ARC Gloria is the only ship available from Thursday to Monday, and a ship with the Royal Canadian Navy will be open on Sunday only.
ARC Gloria will be at Piers 15/17, and the Royal Canadian Navy will be at Pier 19.
Thursday, October 9 & Friday, October 10
- Tours from 9 am to 4 pm
Saturday, October 11
- Tours from 8:30 am to 4 pm
Sunday, October 12
- ARC Gloria from 8:30 am to 4 pm
- The Royal Canadian Navy from 9 am to 4 pm
Monday, October 13
- Ship Tours from 8:30 am to 12 pm
- ARC Glora Departs at 4 pm
More Rules to Visit the Ships During Fleet Week
- Must show a valid government ID if you are 18 and over
- Anyone 17 and under must be accompanied by an adult
- No large backpacks, large purses, or large camera bags
- May not be accessible for those with disabilities or certain medical conditions. Most ship visits require climbing steep steps, uneven surfaces, small areas, etc.
- No high heels and closed toed shoes are recommended.
- Must remain with your tour guide at all times while on the ship.
- Must comply to screening and inspection before boarding each ship for your tour.
More Pictures and What You Will Can Typically See & Do During Fleet Week
NOTE: Everything in this section is canceled for 2025.
Below are a few of my photos from previous years for each activity. They will give you an idea of what to expect this year.
Parade of Ships 2025: Canceled
This was just canceled for 2025.
The Parade of Ships is the official start of the Fleet Week San Francisco celebrations. All of the ships for the event come in under the Golden Gate Bridge and head to their designated pier in San Francisco. You can tour all of these ships during the three-day celebration.
A couple of years ago, my mom, sister, and I were on Alcatraz Island during the Parade of Ships, which is one of the best places to be for this event. Here are just some of my pictures from that day.
The Parade of Ships is about ready to begin. The boats at the bottom of the picture are all waiting for the parade to start. In the background is the Golden Gate Bridge, which is where all the boats enter the San Francisco Bay for the event.
This is one of the first boats coming in for Fleet Week San Francisco. You can see the downtown San Francisco skyline in the background.
This is one of the largest ships that come into San Francisco for Fleet Week. It's an aircraft carrier and is open for tours all weekend. In the background are the Presidio and the Palace of Fine Arts.
This is a second look at the aircraft carrier heading into San Francisco. It's close to Alcatraz Island and making its way to its pier to set up for tours. You can again see downtown San Francisco including the Transamerica building in the background.
Fleet Week San Francisco Airshow: Friday, Saturday & Sunday
NOT FOR 2025: Visit the schedule above for this year's airshow schedule, as this section is about what you will typically find during Fleet Week in San Francisco.
The event that most people come out for is the air show on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm. There are several performances during the four-hour show.
All three days, the air show finishes with an amazing performance by the Blue Angels. They always start their performance a little after 3 pm. Even if you have watched them before, you will never get tired of seeing their performance over the San Francisco Bay.
Here are just a few of my Blue Angels photos from previous Fleet Week San Francisco performances. This is a shot of just four of the six Blue Angels doing a maneuver. This is another shot from Pier 39.
This is another shot of the Blue Angels, in the distance, performing over the San Francisco Bay. In front is a crowd of people and the sea lions near Pier 39.
The smoke trailing the Blue Angels as they perform another maneuver.
The Blue Angels get daringly close during their performance. My camera does not have a great zoom, so this shows just how close you will feel from the viewing area!
You can also head out to catch some of the practice session on Thursday. There are fewer people around and they don't perform their entire show.
However, it's a great way to catch the action if you are not going to be around on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
Free Concert Series (Canceled for 2025)
Throughout Fleet Week in San Francisco, several military bands perform around the city.
These shows take place from Monday, October 5, to Monday, October 13. It's a way for locals to interact with our service men and women.
They perform at school, plazas, and even at locations around Fisherman's Wharf.
Visit their site for a full schedule of performances for 2025.
Hi, I’m Jill!
I’ve been sharing San Francisco travel advice since 2009 and have helped millions of people explore the city like a local. Whether you’re dreaming of sea lions, cable cars, or a great sourdough bread bowl, I’m here to help you plan an unforgettable trip with real tips from someone who actually lives here.
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