It’s that time of year when the New York Harbor fills with men and women from the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines — NYC Fleet Week is officially in full swing. The annual Fleet Week honors seafaring, brave United States armed forces, and other NATO allies with a huge celebration in New York City, with the ships traveling down the Hudson River visible to those in Hudson County. Read on for more about NYC Fleet Week 2024, happening now through Tuesday, May 28th, 2024.
Photo Credit: @jenna_njrealtor
Fleet Week 2024 Information
This year marks the 36th annual celebration of Fleet Week NYC. The week kicks off with the Parade of Ships, which started today, Wednesday, May 22nd.
Per CBS New York, eight military vessels sailed into New York Harbor and then up the Hudson River, and then traveled past the Statue of Liberty, Battery Park in Lower Manhattan, the Hudson River Park on the West Side, the Intrepid Sea, Air + Space Museum at Pier 86, and wrapped up just below the George Washington Bridge.
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Fleet Week is an “opportunity for the citizens of New York and the surrounding tri-state area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today’s maritime services,” per a press release. The theme for this year is “Fleet Week New York…Celebrating Those Who Serve”.
The ships visiting the area include two U.S. Navy ships, three U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats (YPs). NATO allies from Germany will also join the celebration.
You can find the full schedule of ships that are visiting, as well as more information about the tours and events happening for NYC Fleet Week 2024 here. While there are 35+ events happening, below are a few highlights from each day of the celebration:
Wednesday, May 22nd
Once a Marine Always a Marine Formation | Father Duffy Square, Times Square, 7th Avenue + West 47th Street, New York from 6PM to 9PM
Currently serving and veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps will come together to celebrate their heritage. Marine Corps Band and Silent Drill Platoon will complete small performances in Times Square.
Thursday, May 23rd
Public Ship Tours at Pier 88 + 90 | Manhattan Pier 88 + Pier 90, New York from 9AM to 4PM
U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5), German Baden-Württemberg-class frigate FGS Baden-Württemberg (F-222), and German Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Frankfurt am Main (A-1412) will be open for public tours. Visit with crew members and learn about your sea services.
Dive Tank in Times Square | Military Island, 43-44 Street Plaza, Times Square, New York from 10AM to 5PM
Navy diving demonstrations will be held in a dive tank within Times Square.
Friday, May 24th
Public Ship Tours at Staten Island | Staten Island Homeport Pier, New York from 8AM to 5PM
U.S. Navy Freedom-class littoral combat ship USS Marinette (LCS 25), U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Calhoun (WMSL-759), and U.S. Coast Guard Keeper-class coastal buoy tender USCGC Katherine Walker (WLM-552) will be open for public tours. Visit with crew members and learn about your sea services. Military displays will also be present for viewing.
Band Concert in Times Square | 43-44 Street Plaza, Times Square, New York from 7:30PM to 9:30PM
Navy Band Northeast “Brass Band” will play from 7:30PM to 7:50PM followed by the U.S. Fleet Forces Rock Band from 8PM to 9:15PM.
Saturday, May 25th
Eisenhower Park Aviation Event | Cricket Field 11, Parking Lot 2 at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, New York from 10AM to 2:30PM
Come out to see Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard helicopters land at Cricket Field 11, near parking lot 2, and meet the flight crews. The event will also have an EOD fast rope demonstration, performances by Navy Band Northeast and Navy Ceremonial Guard, and military displays to view.
U.S. Coast Guard Search + Rescue Demo | In the water off Staten Island Homeport Pier, New York from 12PM to 12:30PM
The Coast Guard will conduct a search and rescue demonstration in the water off of the Staten Island Homeport Pier.
Sunday, May 26th
Public Ship Tours at Pier 86 | Manhattan Pier 86, New York from 9AM to 4PM
Bay-class cutter USCGC Sturgeon Bay (WTGB-109) will be open for free public tours. Visit with crew members and learn about your sea services.
Fleet Week at Liberty State Park | 200 Morris Pesin Drive, Jersey City from 12PM to 5PM
Navy and Marine Corps helicopters will land for festivities at Liberty State Park. Come and meet the flight crews, interact with military displays (including the Navy Dive Tank), and enjoy youth activities through the Jersey City Office of Cultural Affairs. There will also be performances by Navy Band Northeast, Coast Guard Silent Drill Team, and Marine Corps Band.
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Monday, May 27th
Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Day Observance | Soldiers’ + Sailors’ Monument, Riverside Drive + 89th Street, New York at 10AM
Military from the sea services will participate in the Memorial Day observance that pays homage to those who served in all wars.
Band Concert in Bryant Park | Bryant Park Upper Terrace, 6th + West 42nd, New York from 3:30PM to 5PM
Navy Band Northeast and Coast Guard Ceremonial Band will perform at the upper terrace.
