LA Fleet Week at Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles said on May 13 that LA Fleet Week will return to San Pedro over Memorial Day weekend, with free public events scheduled for May 22 through May 25. Organizers said the 2026 edition marks the event’s 10th year at the port and will center on the LA Waterfront around the Battleship IOWA. The event is presented as a public celebration of the nation’s sea services, with active-duty ship tours, military displays, aircraft flyovers and live entertainment planned across four days. The Pacific Battleship Center and the port said neighborhood activations will begin earlier, on May 19, and continue through May 25. ### When does the public part of LA Fleet Week actually start? May 22 is the first day of the main festival and ship-tour program at the Port of Los Angeles, according to the event website and the port. The public-facing waterfront program runs through Memorial Day, May 25, while related neighborhood events begin on May 19. The Battleship IOWA listing says the main expo and festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily from Friday through Monday. (portoflosangeles.org) The port’s release says active-duty ship tours will be offered during those same hours, with tickets distributed through a same-day virtual queue. ### Where is it happening in San Pedro? San Pedro is the main hub for the event, with organizers pointing visitors to the Port of Los Angeles waterfront and the Battleship IOWA at 250 S. (lafleetweek.com) Harbor Blvd. The official event pages describe the festival as centered around the museum ship and surrounding waterfront areas. The Port of Los Angeles said free trolley and shuttle service will operate during the event. (pacificbattleship.com) The port also said visitors will have access to limited free parking and paid parking in San Pedro. ### What can visitors expect beyond ship tours? More than 90 military and first-responder exhibits are planned, according to the port and the event website. (pacificbattleship.com) Organizers also listed equipment displays, live demonstrations, food and beverage vendors, competitions and live entertainment as part of the waterfront program. (portoflosangeles.org) Aircraft flyovers are also part of the schedule. The Battleship IOWA event page says military aircraft are expected over Cabrillo Beach, Long Beach and the USS Iowa area, while noting that flight schedules may change because of weather or operations. The port said returning signature events include Galley Wars, a culinary competition among visiting-ship teams, and “Military Has Talent,” a singing competition. (portoflosangeles.org) The same release also listed dodgeball, soccer and pickleball tournaments involving military and civilian participants. ### How do the ship tours work? (pacificbattleship.com) Active-duty ship tours will use a virtual queue issued on the day of a visit, according to the official LA Fleet Week site and the port. Organizers said visitors should check the event website for free virtual tour tickets and updated instructions. The Battleship IOWA page says visitors boarding active ships should bring valid government-issued photo identification, and that non-U.S. citizens need a passport. (portoflosangeles.org) That page also advertises a separate paid “Battleship IOWA Express Experience,” but the core public event and standard ship-tour access are described as free. ### Are there events outside the waterfront festival? May 21 and May 22 are set for two free welcome events honoring visiting service members, the port said. The downtown San Pedro welcome party is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, May 21, and the Wilmington welcome reception is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Banning Museum. (pacificbattleship.com) Neighborhood activations are planned in locations including the Santa Monica Pier, Disneyland and LA Galaxy Stadium, according to the port and the official event site. Organizers said those events are part of a broader regional program running from May 19 through May 25. ### Where should people check before going? (portoflosangeles.org) LA Fleet Week’s official website is the main source for schedules, maps, FAQs and the day-of virtual ship-tour queue, according to the event organizers. The Port of Los Angeles events page also lists the May 22-25 festival dates and says updated event information will be posted as it becomes available. May 25 is the last day of the main public festival at the port. (portoflosangeles.org) Organizers said the 2026 event is also being presented as the first event in Los Angeles’ America 250 observance, with additional program details posted through the official LA Fleet Week schedule. (lafleetweek.com)