Port of Los Angeles Fleet Week May 22–25

The Port of Los Angeles said on May 13 that LA Fleet Week will return to San Pedro from May 22 through May 25, bringing four days of ship tours, military exhibits and waterfront events over Memorial Day weekend. The free public event marks the festival’s 10th year at the port, according to the harbor department and LA Fleet Week organizers. Ship tours are scheduled daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and the event footprint will again extend across the LA Waterfront and nearby neighborhoods in the harbor area. For businesses, agencies and visitors with meetings or site visits near the port, the dates matter because traffic, parking and access patterns around San Pedro will shift during the holiday weekend. ### When exactly is the event, and what parts of the week matter? May 22 through May 25 are the main public festival and ship-tour dates, with activities centered on the Port of Los Angeles and the Battleship IOWA area in San Pedro. The official event site lists Memorial Day weekend festival and ship tours for those four days. (portoflosangeles.org) May 19 through May 25 are also part of the broader schedule because organizers have planned “neighborhood activations” before and during the main weekend. The Port of Los Angeles said those off-waterfront events will include concerts, gatherings and special programming in locations including Santa Monica Pier, Disneyland and LA Galaxy Stadium. (portoflosangeles.org) ### What will visitors actually find at the waterfront? More than 90 military and first-responder exhibits are planned, the Port of Los Angeles said in its announcement. Organizers also listed active-duty U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard ship tours, aircraft flyovers, live entertainment, food and beverage vendors, and a military competition series. (portoflosangeles.org) The Battleship USS IOWA site said the main expo will run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and include demonstrations, equipment displays, family activities and competitions such as Galley Wars and Military Has Talent. The same site said aircraft events are planned over Cabrillo Beach, Long Beach and the USS Iowa area, with schedules subject to weather or operational changes. (portoflosangeles.org) ### How do ship tours work, and what should people bring? Ship tours will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25, according to the Port of Los Angeles. Tickets will not be distributed far in advance; organizers said access will be handled through a virtual queue on the day of each visit. (pacificbattleship.com) Valid government-issued photo identification is required to board active ships, according to the Battleship USS IOWA event page. The same page says non-U.S. citizens must bring a passport for boarding. ### Where could logistics tighten around San Pedro? San Pedro is expected to absorb the main visitor flow because the event is centered on the LA Waterfront near 250 South Harbor Boulevard. (portoflosangeles.org) The Port of Los Angeles said parking will include limited free spaces and paid parking, while the event site says street parking and lots will be in use throughout the area. (pacificbattleship.com) Free trolley and shuttle service will operate throughout the event, organizers said, linking activity areas, parking and the waterfront. For companies, port users and public agencies with inspections, client meetings or site visits near terminals and public-facing port spaces, that means extra time may be needed for arrival, staging and guest movement over the holiday weekend. That scheduling implication is an inference drawn from the event’s location, parking limits and shuttle plan. (portoflosangeles.org) ### Are there events before the main weekend opens? Thursday, May 21, is the first date on the public calendar with a named welcome event in downtown San Pedro, where organizers said a free welcome party will run from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Port of Los Angeles also said Wilmington will host a second free welcome reception on Friday, May 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Banning Museum. (portoflosangeles.org) LA Fleet Week’s own site says neighborhood programming will continue across Los Angeles through May 25. Organizers direct visitors to the event schedule, maps and FAQ pages for day-of updates on tours, transportation and activation locations. ### What is the next practical step for visitors and port-area stakeholders? May 22 is the first day that virtual ship-tour tickets will be made available through the day-of queue, according to organizers. (portoflosangeles.org) The Port of Los Angeles and LA Fleet Week both direct visitors to lafleetweek.com for schedules, maps, FAQs and ticketing information before the Memorial Day weekend opening. (lafleetweek.com)