The U.S. Naval Academy Air Show (Commissioning Week) is run by a third-party host, and the Blue Angels are operated by the U.S. Navy. NavyWeek.org is an independent guide and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the show, its organizers, the squadron, or the U.S. Navy. Dates, show times, and ticketing are set by the organizer and can change — always confirm current details with the official source before you travel.
Blue Angels Annapolis 2026: U.S. Naval Academy Air Show
Concluded — Wednesday, May 20, 2026 · Over the Severn River, Annapolis · FREE EVENT
Every May, the Blue Angels fly over the Severn River for the U.S. Naval Academy's Commissioning Week — a midweek, hometown-Navy tradition where the demonstration plays out over the water beside the Academy, free to anyone within eyeshot of Annapolis.
Blue Angels Annapolis 2026 — Key Facts
- Team
- U.S. Navy Blue Angels
- Show
- U.S. Naval Academy Air Show (Commissioning Week)
- Venue
- Over the Severn River, Annapolis
- Dates
- May 20, 2026
- Admission
- Free — flown over public water
Last verified: July 8, 2026
WHY ANNAPOLIS IS THE TOUR'S MOST UNIQUE STOP
This isn't an air show with vendors and static displays — it's a ritual. The Blue Angels perform for the graduating class of the Naval Academy during Commissioning Week, flying the full demonstration over the Severn with the Academy, the Chesapeake, and Maryland's capital as the stage. Some of the pilots overhead walked these same grounds as midshipmen. The show traditionally lands on the Wednesday of Commissioning Week, with a flyover at graduation itself days later, and the whole city treats it as a holiday: boats raft up on the river, downtown empties onto every waterfront, and the sneak pass comes up the Severn at mast height. There is no closer marriage of team and audience anywhere on the schedule.
SHOW SCHEDULE & TIMES
One day, one show: the demonstration typically flies Wednesday afternoon (around 2 p.m. historically), with a practice/rehearsal flight Tuesday afternoon over the same box — effectively a second full show. The graduation flyover follows at the stadium ceremony later that week. Exact timing is announced by the Academy and city; weather windows in May on the Chesapeake occasionally shuffle the hour.
WHERE TO WATCH
- Jonas Green Park (Severn riverbank): The classic spot, directly under the show box at the foot of the Naval Academy Bridge. Small park, fills hours early.
- Naval Academy grounds: Visitor access during Commissioning Week is the premium experience when permitted — check the USNA visitor policy for show day, as access rules and ID requirements change year to year.
- City Dock & downtown waterfront: Ego Alley and the harbor catch the southern edge of the box with restaurants steps away.
- On the water: The signature Annapolis move. Hundreds of boats anchor along the Severn outside the safety zone — charters book out months ahead.
- World War II Memorial overlook (Route 450): Elevated, panoramic, and right at the bridge — arrive very early.
GETTING THERE & PARKING
Downtown Annapolis parking is scarce on a normal day and impossible on Blues Wednesday — use the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium lots and the free Commissioning Week shuttles, or park once and walk everywhere. From DC or Baltimore it's 45 minutes to US-50; leave well before noon. The Naval Academy Bridge closes to stopped pedestrians during the show — enforcement is real, keep moving or pick a bank.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is the Annapolis Blue Angels show free?
What time do the Blue Angels fly over the Severn?
Is Tuesday's practice worth it?
Can I watch from a boat?
Can I get into the Naval Academy?
Why midweek?
NEARBY & RELATED
Annapolis kicks off a Maryland triple-header: NAS Patuxent River in June and Baltimore's Sail250 air show two weeks after that. Other 2026 stops: Vero Beach and Harrisburg. See the full Blue Angels schedule.
Other 2026 stops:← Vero Beach · Harrisburg →
Full Blue Angels 2026 scheduleEditorial policy
- Source priority. We cite the official U.S. Naval Academy Air Show (Commissioning Week) announcements and the U.S. Navy Blue Angels schedule first. Dates, show times, and locations are quoted from those sources and confirmed on the "Last verified" date above.
- Independence. NavyWeek.org is not affiliated with the U.S. Navy, the Department of Defense, NAVCO, or any federal agency. We do not accept payment to recommend specific recruiters, schools, vendors, or services.
- Review cadence. Because the organizer and the military can change dates and schedules at any time, this guide is re-verified against the official sources on a recurring basis and whenever a reader reports a change.
- Reviewer. The page is reviewed for accuracy by the reviewer named in the byline. The "Last reviewed" date at the top of the page reflects the most recent review pass.
- Corrections. Factual errors are corrected as soon as we can verify the issue against an official source. See the "Report an outdated fact" link below.
- Not advice. This page is informational only. For decisions about service, benefits, pay, or assignment, rely on official .mil sources and your chain of command, detailer, recruiter, or accredited representative.