San Francisco Fleet Week is one of the most hotly anticipated events on the city’s cultural calendar, but it may have just lost its biggest event: the Blue Angels Air Show.
The federal government officially shut down at midnight last night when Congress failed to reach a deal on funding, meaning that the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps will be unlikely to participate in Fleet Week activities.
As long as the government remains shut down, there will be no Blue Angels in the Air Show and no U.S. Navy ships docking at the Embarcadero.
Fleet Week released a statement on its Instagram story at approximately 8:00 p.m. Wednesday night stating that the Blue Angels are “ready and willing to participate in Fleet Week next weekend if the government reopens.” So, while it is still uncertain if the Blue Angels will be able to perform this year, we at least know they are ready in case the government shutdown is lifted.
What can we expect at SF Fleet Week this year?
Fleet Week is due to take place imminently from Oct. 5-13, 2025, with the Air Show scheduled from Oct. 10-12. And the show must go on!
Although the Blue Angels are unlikely to fly, some Fleet Week events will still go on as planned or modified.
The Mercury News reported that the Royal Canadian Air Force will still dispatch their aerobatics squadron, the Snowbirds, for the Air Show. This is the first year they’ve participated in the Air Show since 2017.
Other non-military events at Fleet Week would also proceed, such as the Neighborhood Concert Series throughout the city and the High School Band Challenge on Oct. 13.
Fleet Week spokesperson David Cruise also told The Mercury News that visiting ships from Canada and Colombia are still confirmed to participate.
Yesterday, NBC Bay Area reported that the Navy fleet was on standby in the port of San Diego awaiting a decision about the shutdown. If the shutdown is resolved quickly, Fleet Week is reportedly preparing contingency plans to salvage Navy and Marine Corps participation.
Said U.S. Navy corps planner Brian O’Rourke, “San Francisco Fleet Week has earned a well-deserved reputation with sailors and Marines as a favorite port visit.”
Stay tuned as we learn more.
by Jamie Ferrell and Dana Flynn