Fleet Week San Diego is Back for 2024!
San Diego is gearing up to host Fleet Week 2024 from Nov. 1 – 11, celebrating the men and women who serve in the U.S. military with a series of exciting events. Highlights include ship tours, a Veterans Day Boat Parade, a Military Appreciation Concert, and STEM Days to inspire young minds. Last year’s event drew nearly 20,000 visitors who interacted closely with sailors, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel, gaining insights into their daily equipment use and living environments at sea.
Larry Blumberg, president and CEO of Fleet Week San Diego, emphasized the special bond between the Military and the San Diego community, highlighting the integral role of the military and their families in the city’s way of life. This celebration offers citizens the chance to express gratitude for their service and sacrifices, recognizing their dedication and professionalism in serving the nation and the community.
From Nov. 1 to Nov. 11, Fleet Week San Diego will recognize the contributions made by the naval services to the many communities of the greater San Diego region. Events include the Military & Veteran Appreciation Concert on Nov. 1 from 5 to 6:30 p.m., featuring a special combined performance by Navy Band Southwest and Marine Band San Diego, at Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park; Fleet Week Football Classic held during the SDSU Aztec home game honoring the U.S. Navy on Nov. 8; and Military Family Day on Nov. 10, which is a fun-filled day with live music, activities for kids, food trucks, and more along Broadway Pier. It all culminates with the San Diego Veterans Day Parade on Monday, November 11. You can explore our Veterans Day Fun Guide here. For more information, visit www.fleetweeksandiego.org.
San Diego is Home to a Variety of Military Themed Museums and Memorials!
San Diego is proud to have the largest concentration of military in the world including Naval Base San Diego, Naval Base Coronado, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot San Diego, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Plus, San Diego is home to more than 250,000 veterans.
Whether active-duty military stationed in San Diego, a veteran or just visiting, you can take advantage of plenty of military and veteran discounts while you’re here. Explore our Veterans Day Guide to events and deals, discounts, and freebies for veterans and active duty service members here.
Fleet week 2024 Events
Experience one of San Diego’s largest Military events featuring Military Displays, High Tech equipment in the Innovation Zone, Active Navy & Coast Guard Ship Tours, Live Music, Food, and Fun for the whole family!
Fleet Week San Diego – Enlisted Recognition Luncheon
This luncheon hosts over 300 military enlisted guests and honors those distinguished by their community service and within their commands. These guests are seated with leaders of the civic and business communities of San Diego and are treated to gifts and raffle prizes.
Fleet Week San Diego – Military & Veteran Appreciation Free Concert
Fleet Week San Diego – Military Band Concert Series
Friday, November 1, 2024 – Monday, November 11, 2024
Fleet Week San Diego – Meet The Fleet
Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) is hosting a General Public Visit (GPV). The event will feature ship tours, static displays, rides, food vendors, and live music from the CNRSW Navy Band. The goal is to promote community engagement with the Fleet while offering a fun and informative experience.
–Click Here for Additional Important Information for Meet the Feet at 32nd Street Event–
Fleet Week San Diego – Military Ship Tours
Ship Tours are held on Broadway Pier in Downtown San Diego, CA
Tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visitors must be at least five years old to tour the ships. Strollers, glass, large bags and large backpacks will not be permitted on board. Closed toe shoes are Highly recommended. There are no elevators aboard the ships, those with limited mobility should not join the tour.
- Ship tours are FREE
- No Tickets needed
- No Advance Reservation needed
- Valid Government Picture ID Required. (i.e.: Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, etc.)
For more information:
fleetweeksandiego.org/military-ship-tours/
How to get there:
Avoid the hassle of parking downtown and take transit! You can hop on the UC San Diego Blue Line or Green Line to Santa Fe Depot. Broadway Pier is about a 0.5 walk from the station. Routes 923 and 992 are another option, disembarking at Broadway & N Harbor Drive. Be sure to tap or scan your PRONTO card or app before every ride!
Fleet Week San Diego – Fleet Week Football Classic
Held during the SDSU Aztec Home game honoring the U.S. Navy, Fleet Week San Diego will host Active Duty Personnel and their families at the November 8th game. Free SDSU Dri-Fit T-Shirts for first 10,000 Fans. vs. New Mexico.
Fleet Week San Diego – Student STEM Days
1000 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92132
STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering and Math—are core principles for student learning in the decades ahead, necessary to compete in the digital workforce. Student STEM days are an exclusive opportunity for students throughout San Diego County to participate in Fleet Week San Diego’s Innovation Zone before we open to the public.
Grade Recommendation- Grade level 4 & up.
The Innovation Zone will showcase new and emerging technologies sourced in both military and civilian applications. Elementary, middle and high school students will thrill to these interactive displays, tours and demonstrations.
Students will also have the opportunity to tour the available Navy and Coast guard ships onsite. For more information on how your student group can be a part of this exciting day, please contact maggie@fleetweeksandiego.org.
Fleet Week San Diego – Military Family Day
1000 N. Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92132
ADMISSION IS FREE! A fun-filled day dedicated to military families that’s not to be missed! Get out and dance (or just listen and enjoy) to live music on stage throughout the day. Experience military displays hands-on, light armored vehicles, armaments and even robots. There’s lots of fun activities for the kids, and, of course, food trucks!
Fleet Week San Diego – Veterans Day Boat Parade
The perfect way to celebrate Veteran’s Day! View the parade from the shore of Shelter Island, Harbor Island, San Diego Embarcadero, Seaport Village and Coronado Tidelands Park.
Not only is the public invited to San Diego Bay to watch the procession of military-themed decorated boats, you can show your patriotism by entering your boat as a participant or a safety boat participant! Boats of all sizes are invited to salute and honor our active duty and retired service members. ELABORATE DECORATIONS ARE ENCOURAGED!
Trophies will be awarded for boats decorated in the following themes:
- U.S. Army
- U.S. Navy
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Marine Corps
- U.S. Coast Guard
- Best Decorated Patriotic Boat
Everything You Need to Know About San Diego Fleet Week
The annual San Diego Fleet Week series of events allows the community to enhance that relationship. The men and women of the military and their families are an integral part of San Diego’s way of life, and this celebration provides the citizens of San Diego with the opportunity to thank them and their families for the sacrifices, dedication and professionalism they demonstrate while serving our nation and our community. Discover all of the family-friendly Fleet Week events here.
Explore San Diego’s Military Themed Museums
Few cities in the world have a military presence that’s on par with San Diego. This coastal city has long been a hub for the US Navy and is currently the largest naval base in the Pacific. When you’re in San Diego, a naval ship is almost always on the horizon and a military base is stone’s throw away.
San Diego’s port hosts not only active ships but also museums that narrate stories beyond maritime warfare. They let you experience the life of a sailor, a life that is unlike anything we experience on land. Or trace Marines and Navy SEALS from boot camp to the battlefield. They also provide insight into life in San Diego, which has served as a home base for the U.S. Military for over 100 years.
One of the best ways to understand San Diego’s ties to the military is to explore the rich history at museums like the USS Midway Museum, the Maritime Museum of San Diego, and Navy SEAL Museum San Diego (Opening 2025) and memorials like the Greatest Generation Collection” along the Embarcadero.
Hundreds of thousands of civilian and military people passed through the gates of San Diego Naval Training Center in the course of its history. This decommissioned base has now been transformed into what is now called the ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station, a cultural district with museums, galleries, artist studios, dance studios, restaurants and retail stores. The command center contains historic displays of the Naval Training Center and Point Loma. Admission is free. You can explore military themed exhibits and memorials at the Nautical History Gallery & Museum, the 52 Boats Memorial, Immortalizing Heroes and the USS Recruit.
Discover more military history along the paths of Cabrillo National Monument where you’ll see the remains of World War II coastal defenses built to protect the approaches to San Diego Bay. Read more about Cabrillo and other San Diego military themed museums and memorials in our all-new Veterans Day 2024 Guide here.