LA Fleet Week 2025

Southern California’s largest Memorial Day celebration is making its triumphant return to the LA Waterfront this spring, as LA Fleet Week 2025 kicks off a multi-day celebration of our nation’s Sea Services. From May 21 through May 26, 2025, the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro will transform into a vibrant hub of military showcases, ship tours, and public festivities, all free and open to the public.

LA Fleet Week is more than a celebration — it’s a tribute. Established to honor and engage the men and women of the United States Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and other maritime forces, the event brings military traditions into the heart of the Los Angeles community. It’s also a time to reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day while enjoying the unique opportunity to tour active-duty ships, interact with service members, and learn about life aboard naval vessels.

Talking about the impact of LA Fleet Week, Jonathan Williams of the LA Fleet Week team said it’s done more than just bring in the crowds — it’s helped shine a spotlight on the LA Waterfront in a big way. “LA Fleet Week brings national visibility to the LA Waterfront and its surrounding communities,” he said. “This attention has helped drive redevelopment initiatives, increased economic activity for local businesses, and brought vital support to community organizations.” In other words, it’s not just a fun weekend — it’s helping the whole neighborhood thrive.

The public is invited to experience a variety of events and activations during Fleet Week. The Neighborhood Activations will run May 21 through 24, and the main EXPO and ship tours will be available May 23 through 26.

From live entertainment and flyovers to “Galley Wars” — a culinary showdown between military branches — Fleet Week is packed with events for the whole family. The entire celebration is organized by the Pacific Battleship Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing awareness of maritime peace and security.

“LA Fleet Week is a powerful reminder of the service and sacrifice made by our armed forces,” said event organizers. “It’s also a fun, interactive way for the public to connect with service members and see firsthand what goes into maritime operations.”

Among the most anticipated features are the free Navy ship tours, which allow the public to explore active-duty vessels docked in San Pedro’s Outer Harbor. To access these tours, visitors must board a designated shuttle from the main EXPO footprint adjacent to Battleship IOWA (250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731). Valid government-issued ID is required for all adults; non-U.S. citizens must show a passport and undergo a brief screening.

While the full lineup of visiting ships will be announced closer to the event, past years have included destroyers, cruisers, and support vessels. Tours will run daily from Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, with lines forming inside the EXPO area. Attendees should note that tours are only available to individuals age five and up, and mobility restrictions may apply due to steep ladders and tight passages aboard the vessels.

Other can’t-miss attractions include:

• Military band performances across Los Angeles
• Aircraft flyovers
• Equipment demonstrations and static displays
• Competitions like dodgeball and “Military Has Talent”
• Meet-and-greets with service members
• Galley Wars: a military cooking competition between the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force, and Army

In addition to the main EXPO site, festivities will extend into local neighborhoods with welcome parties, community engagement events, and live music throughout Downtown San Pedro and Wilmington.

The event reflects the broader mission of the Pacific Battleship Center: to ignite curiosity, connect communities, and foster understanding of America’s maritime contributions. Fleet Week is not just a celebration of military might — it’s also a tool for public education, cultural connection, and community resilience.

Organizers also encourage public donations to help support the free programming. Contributions fund everything from morale-boosting activities for service members to community outreach projects and logistics for the visiting ships and personnel. As a nonprofit-led initiative, LA Fleet Week relies heavily on support from partners like the Battleship IOWA Museum, USO, the Port of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and the armed services themselves.

For veterans and active duty military members, the Battleship IOWA will offer free admission during the weekend, with military ID required at entry. While Fleet Week events are free, Battleship IOWA’s standard entry fees will apply for other guests.

“LA Fleet Week would not be possible without the tireless support of both public and private sector partners — too many to list individually,” said Williams. “However, essential to the success of the event are our ‘core’ planning partners, which include Mayor Karen Bass; the Los Angeles City Council and the City of Los Angeles; Port of Los Angeles and Port Police; Los Angeles Emergency Management Department; The Battleship IOWA / National Museum of the Surface Navy team; and the USO.

Equally vital are the community volunteers and generous donors whose dedication, time, and resources help create a meaningful and memorable experience for all. Their support embodies the spirit of service and community that LA Fleet Week is all about.”

When asked how LA Fleet Week has evolved since its inception and what new elements visitors can expect in 2025, Williams explained, “LA Fleet Week began as a local weekend festival on the LA Waterfront and has since grown into one of the most impactful events in the Los Angeles region.” He added that the event now offers “a diverse array of activities spread throughout the city — from live band concerts and ship tours to community service projects and educational programs,” promising an even broader and more dynamic experience for visitors in the upcoming year.

Beyond its public-facing celebrations, LA Fleet Week also serves a strategic role in regional preparedness. It provides an opportunity for local, state, and federal agencies to collaborate, strengthen inter-agency relationships, and discuss issues of regional importance — especially as Los Angeles prepares to host the World Cup and the Olympics.

In 2025, visitors can look forward to enhanced programming that begins on Wednesday, May 21, and continues through Monday, May 26, offering an expanded schedule filled with new experiences, dynamic displays, and deeper engagement opportunities with our sea services and maritime community.”

If you’re planning to attend, remember to wear closed-toe shoes, bring government-issued ID, and leave pets and strollers at home if planning to tour ships. Additional details, including parking information and shuttle schedules, will be posted closer to the event at lafleetweek.com.

“We hope visitors walk away with a renewed sense of appreciation for the LA Waterfront’s ongoing redevelopment and the critical role of the sea services and maritime industry in our everyday lives,” said Williams. “More than just a celebration, Fleet Week is an invitation to understand and connect with the people and industries that ensure our nation’s prosperity and security.”

As Memorial Day approaches, LA Fleet Week 2025 promises to deliver a patriotic and educational experience for all ages. Whether you’re a local, a veteran, a tourist, or simply curious, you’ll find that the harbor is the place to be this Memorial Day weekend.