LA Fleet Week is a free five-day celebration of America's Sea Services taking place on the LA Waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles during Labor Day Weekend. The main highlights of this annual event are active duty ship tours, tall ship tours during The Festival of Sail, educational, military displays and equipment demonstrations, and much more.
Entertainment
LA Fleet Week hosts a variety of activities for visiting military personnel and the general public. The festivities kick off with the Downtown San Pedro Welcome Party on May 23rd from 5 pm to 9 pm, which features live music, food trucks, a beer garden, and a chance to interact with the locals. From May 24th, you have a chance to tour an active duty ship free of charge. The tours span from 10 am to 3 pm at the Main Expo.
You can also explore the grounds of the festival and witness a static display exhibition, which features vintage and modern aircraft and military equipment. If you're looking for a thrill, there's also an exhilarating dodgeball competition, sure to make your heart beat faster.
Festival of Sail (May 24-27, 2024)
The Festival of Sail is organized as part of the LA Fleet Week by the Los Angeles Maritime Institute. It takes place at LA Waterfront and features deck tours, STEM educational sails, cannon battles, and sunset sails. The festival provides a great opportunity for the public to learn more about sailing and the marine craft. Tickets are required for admission. The festivities run from 9 am to 8:30 pm.
Galley Wars (May 25, 2024)
One of the most-anticipated highlights of LA Fleet Week is the Galley Wars culinary cook-off competition between Coast Guard, marine, and sailor teams. In this grueling contest, the teams must use ingredients found on the ships, make the best of their small budget, and look for ingredients in the neighborhoods. The event takes place at the Main Expo Footprint at the Battleship IOWA from 12 pm to 2:30 pm.
Military Has Talent Show
Sailors, marines, and coast guards will take off their tough facades and reveal their hidden talents on the stage of LA Fleet Week. A heart-wrenching ballad, groovy guitar solo, or hilarious navy jokes is just the tip of the iceberg of the Military Has Talent shows. The performances run from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm on May 24-26 and the finals are held on May 27th at 2:30 pm.
Tour of Battleship IOWA
Besides the active duty ship tours, you can explore the legendary Battleship IOWA for an additional fee. Famous for being the "Battleship of Presidents," the ship offers a fascinating glimpse into the marine life of the past through displays in its museum.
Exhibits & Demonstrations
During the festival, Veterans Village provides support to veterans and their families. Educational STEM Expo (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) attracts middle and high school students with various hands-on activities demonstrating the impact of science and technology on everyday life. First Responders Village educates about their capabilities in response to disasters and recruiting for current service.
Schedule & Location
LA Fleet Week runs from Wednesday-Thursday to Monday, normally from 10 am to 5 pm, providing non-stop music entertainment, indoor and outdoor exhibits, maritime crafts, food trucks, and other attractions at downtown Harbor at the Main Expo on Harbor Boulevard. The neighborhood activities take place from May 22nd to May 25th, while the EXPO and tours operate from May 24th to May 27th.
Tickets
Admission to LA Fleet Week and active duty tours is completely free. Tickets to tour Battleship IOWA range from $22 for children over 3 years old to $30 for adults. Entry is free for military personnel. Activities at the Festival of Sails also require tickets, ranging from $10 to $75, depending on the activity. Military personnel can enter for free, but prior registration is required to reserve a spot on any of the sail trips or cannon battles.
