This year’s festival looks — and sounds — a lot different with decidedly less American representation
Festival organizers on Wednesday announced that all U.S. Navy ships, sailors, and marines will not be able to participate in this year’s Fleet Week in San Francisco due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
Officials maintained that the week will still have plenty to offer visitors, including the Air Show without its usual headliners. The annual week of events usually draws millions of people to the Bay Area, showcasing the nation’s maritime armed forces through shows, concerts, ship tours and flight demonstrations. But this year’s Fleet Week — which kicked off Monday and lasts for seven days — looks a lot different than most others from the past 44 years, with decidedly less American representation. Most notably, the Air Show won’t feature the signature acrobatics of the Blue Angels, the Navy’s famed group of pilots known for their aerial stunts and deafening engines that can be heard across the Bay Area. In a release, Fleet Week spokesperson David Cruise wrote that organizers are disappointed but “we fully understand and respect the circumstances and look forward to welcoming them back in 2026.” Ex // Top Stories SF drivers dramatically slowing down around cameras, SFMTA data show Pedestrian-safety advocates say ‘encouraging’ findings should prompt more action SF's largest free clothing program turns to influencer for boost St. Anthony’s Foundation forms partnership to boost supply of men’s clothing for the cold winter months ahead Much-loved — and much-derided — Embarcadero fountain faces uncertain fate SF officials want to remove broken Vaillancourt Fountain to make way for a new park envisioned for Embarcadero Plaza, as preservationists push back While unlikely, organizers until Wednesday hadn’t closed the door on a last second return of the Blue Angels if the federal government could pass a funding budget before the conclusion of Fleet Week. Now, those hopes are gone, meaning this year’s Fleet Week — which is celebrating the Navy’s 250th anniversary — won’t have any active Navy personnel on site. The shutdown also prompted leaders to cancel multiple concerts by Naval bands that were set to perform all across The City and accounted for most of the events over the first few days of the festival. Organizers will move forward with their plan to have the Canadian Snowbirds replace the Blue Angels atop the Air Show’s billing. The squadron is a collection of “CT-114 Tutor” planes, former jet trainers for the Royal Canadian Air Force. The pilots have not flown at Fleet Week in San Francisco since 2017. The red and white jets perform similar acrobatics as the Blue Angels, though officials said they won’t be nearly as loud. The entirety of the remaining Air Show lineup has not been announced, though it will at least feature the Patriots Jet Team. A group of volunteer pilots, some of its members previously flew with the Blue Angels. Officials also highlighted that residents throughout the week will be able to watch crews operate and manage massive ships from Canada and Colombia on the San Francisco waterfront.
Air Show Blue Angels Patriots Jet Team Canadian Snowbirds
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