LA Fleet Week — Port of Los Angeles

The Port of Los Angeles said on May 13 that LA Fleet Week will return to the San Pedro waterfront for its 10th year over Memorial Day weekend, running from May 22 through May 25. The free public event is being staged with Battleship IOWA and will include active-duty ship tours, military displays, live entertainment and neighborhood events across Los Angeles, according to the port and the event’s official website. Organizers said this year’s program will also serve as the first event in Los Angeles’ AMERICA 250 celebration. Ship tours and the main expo are scheduled to run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ### When and where does the public go? The Port of Los Angeles said the main festival footprint will be along the LA Waterfront in San Pedro, centered on the Battleship IOWA at 250 South Harbor Boulevard. The official event listing says LA Fleet Week runs from Friday, May 22, through Monday, May 25, with neighborhood activations beginning earlier, on Tuesday, May 19. (portoflosangeles.org) Battleship IOWA’s event page lists public hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day for the main event. The LA Fleet Week site says the waterfront festival includes ship tours, exhibits, competitions, food vendors and entertainment across the port area. ### What can visitors actually do once they arrive? LA Fleet Week organizers said visitors will be able to take free public tours of active-duty military ships, including U.S. (lafleetweek.com) Navy and U.S. Coast Guard vessels. The Port of Los Angeles said the tours are intended to give the public a look at day-to-day operations of the sea services. More than 90 military and first-responder exhibits are planned, according to the port’s release. Organizers also listed Galley Wars, a culinary competition among visiting ship teams, a “Military Has Talent” singing contest, aircraft flyovers and demonstrations, and sports competitions including dodgeball, soccer and pickleball. (portoflosangeles.org) The LA Fleet Week website says the event will also feature live music, family activities, food trucks and beverage vendors. The site describes the gathering as Southern California’s largest Memorial Day event and says the festival is free to attend. ### How do the ship tours work this year? The Port of Los Angeles said tickets for active-duty ship tours will be distributed through a virtual queue on the day of each visit. (portoflosangeles.org) The official LA Fleet Week site repeats that visitors must use the day-of virtual queue for active ship tours. Battleship IOWA’s event page says visitors boarding active ships should bring valid government-issued photo identification, and that non-U.S. citizens need a passport. (lafleetweek.com) The same page says aircraft schedules remain subject to weather and operational changes. ### What happens beyond the waterfront festival? Organizers said neighborhood activations will run from May 19 through May 25 across Los Angeles. (portoflosangeles.org) The official site lists welcome parties in downtown San Pedro and Wilmington and says other events are planned at locations including The Grove, Mission Hills and Disneyland. (pacificbattleship.com) The Port of Los Angeles said one welcome party is scheduled for Thursday, May 21, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown San Pedro. A second reception is scheduled for Friday, May 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Banning Museum in Wilmington. ### What should visitors know before heading down? (portoflosangeles.org) The Port of Los Angeles said free trolley and shuttle service will operate throughout the event. The agency also said parking will include limited free spaces and paid lots in San Pedro. The official LA Fleet Week website says visitors can use event maps, FAQs and the tour queue online before arriving. (portoflosangeles.org) Ship tours, exhibits and transportation details for May 22-25 are posted through the event’s official planning pages, according to organizers. (lafleetweek.com)