ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Blue Angels are coming back to Annapolis this month for the U.S. Naval Academy’s Commissioning Week.
Residents will have three chances to see the jets soar over the city.
The Blue Angels arrive on Tuesday, May 20. They will circle the town from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. before rehearsing their air show from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. This rehearsal is fairly similar to the full air show, but onlookers can expect slightly smaller crowds since it’s not the official performance. If there is poor weather, the rehearsal will be rescheduled to Wednesday, May 21 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The official Naval Academy Air Show is on Wednesday, May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. That’s when downtown Annapolis roaways, parking garages, coastlines, sidewalks and parks will all be packed to the brim with spectators. Pick your spot in advance and arrive early to avoid traffic.
The City of Annapolis shared parking and boating tips. Scroll to the bottom of this article to see.
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets fly as fast as 700 mph and as slow as 120 mph during the demonstration. They can reach altitudes as high as 15,000 feet or as low as 50 feet. The jets are sometimes only 18 inches apart.
Annapolis will have one last chance to catch a glimpse of the Blue Angels at the beginning of the graduation ceremony. The jets will fly over Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Friday, May 23 at 10:04 a.m. There will not be any performance. This is just a flyover. Though the commissioning ceremony is closed to the public, residents may be able to see the Blue Angels fly overhead if they look overhead.
Related: Blue Angels Photos: Jets Fly Over Annapolis For Naval Academy Air Show
Commissioning Week, running from Wednesday, May 14 through Friday, May 23, celebrates Naval Academy graduation and Midshipmen entering the Navy or the Marines as officers.
The May 23 commissioning ceremony is a packed day. Parking lots open at 6:30 a.m. before the stadium opens at 7 a.m. The class of 2025 procession is at 9 a.m., and the graduation starts at 10 a.m. Graduation photos and the swearing-in ceremony run from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Vice President JD Vance will be this year’s graduation speaker.
The Herndon Climb will be another highlight of Commissioning Week on Wednesday, May 14 at 8 a.m. The annual tradition marks the end of plebe, or freshman year, for the youngest Midshipmen.
The plebians must scale the academy’s 21-foot, greased-up Herndon monument and replace the “Dixie Cup” plebe hat on top with a more formal upperclassman’s hat. Last year’s climb took two hours, 19 minutes and 11 seconds.
Visit usna.edu/CommissioningWeek to learn more.
The City of Annapolis offered these tips for seeing the Blue Angels:
TEMPORARY ROAD AND BRIDGE CLOSURES: On Tuesday, May 20, the Route 450 (Naval Academy) bridge will be closed between 10:45 a.m. and approximately 3:45 p.m. for the Blue Angels rehearsal. The bridge will close again on Wednesday, May 21 at approximately 1:45 p.m. until approximately 4 p.m. for the Blue Angels flight demonstration.
HEAVY TRAFFIC: Make a plan to accommodate the increase in cars and pedestrian traffic as much as possible. Allow yourself plenty of extra time and please be courteous to out-of-town drivers who are unfamiliar with City streets. Download the “Prepare Me Annapolis” mobile app (Apple/Android) to receive local traffic alerts. On Friday, May 24, security around Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Blvd. could make traffic slower than usual until approximately 3 p.m.
PARKING: Throughout Commissioning Week, the best option for getting onto the yard is to park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and take the free shuttle to enter through the Visitor Center at Gate One. For those coming downtown for Blue Angels rehearsal and/or flight demonstration, City garages are the best option and include Hillman (150 Gorman Street), Gott’s (25 Calvert Street), Knighton (1A Colonial Ave.), and Park Place (One Park Place).
INCREASED SECURITY: All residents and visitors should remain aware of their surroundings. Please identify suspicious personnel, packages, or behavior to local authorities. If you see something, say something. Dial 9-1-1 for emergency response. For non-emergency inquiries or questions, contact the Annapolis Call Center at 410-260-2211.
MARITIME TRAFFIC: Boaters must pay close attention to markers that delineate exclusionary zones and temporary channels (marked by red and green buoys) on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Please look for public safety boats and follow instructions promptly. The Annapolis Harbormaster operates on VHF 17. The area of Spa Creek and the Severn River will be patrolled by the U.S. Coast Guard, Department of Natural Resources Police, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Annapolis Harbormaster, Annapolis Police and Annapolis Fire Rescue boats. For complete information on maritime traffic rules and procedures, visit: the Annapolis Harbormaster’s web page on maritime rules for Blue Angels.
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