U.S. Navy Blue Angels — F/A-18 Super Hornets (headline act); Navy bands; STEM demonstrations; Naval History and Heritage Command — exploring "Pennsylvania's proud naval legacy"…
Pennsylvania's capital city hosts Navy Week for the first time in 2026, headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels at the Air Dot Show Central PA at Harrisburg International Airport. Cmdr. Holland noted the significance of bringing Navy Week "to the birthplace of the Navy" — a nod to Pennsylvania's centuries-long role in American shipbuilding.
Beyond the air show, the Naval History and Heritage Command explores Pennsylvania's proud naval legacy, while the Strike Group VR experience brings interactive F-35C launch simulations, flight simulators, and Navy diver role-play to the region. NSA Mechanicsburg's $2 billion economic impact underscores the area's deep naval connections.
The Air Dot Show Central PA is the fourth stop on the 2026 tour, held at Harrisburg International Airport (Middletown, PA) on May 23–25. The headliner is the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying F/A-18 Super Hornets. Blue Angels advance team members #7 (LT Ronny "Downy" Hafeza) and #8 (LCDR Lilly "Lunchbox" Montana) conducted a site visit and flyover at Harrisburg International Airport on December 3, 2025.
Cmdr. Holland stated: "We're excited to bring Navy Week to Harrisburg for the first time and continue the 2026 tour to the birthplace of the Navy."
What to Expect
U.S. Navy Blue Angels F/A-18 Super Hornets
Air Dot Show at Harrisburg International Airport
Naval History and Heritage Command exhibits
Strike Group VR experience
Navy Band performances
STEM demonstrations
Community service projects
DAILY SCHEDULE
Day-by-day breakdown. Items marked "TBA" mean NAVCO hasn't published precise times yet — check the official NAVCO city page or anchor event website closer to event week for confirmed schedules.
Source key:NAVCO-confirmedConfirmed by the Navy Office of Community Outreach (NAVCO) official city page.Anchor-event-confirmedConfirmed by the anchor event organizer (air show, festival, or host venue).Local context — unverifiedLocal context or expected programming compiled by NavyWeek.org — not yet confirmed by NAVCO.
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Navy Week kickoff & State Capitol proclamationNAVCO-confirmed
Pennsylvania State Capitol
Welcome ceremony with Cmdr. Holland and Pennsylvania officials. Specific times TBA.
For the Air Dot Show at Harrisburg International Airport (May 23–25), use the airport's reserved air-show parking or take free shuttles from off-airport lots (details published at airdotshow.com closer to event). In downtown Harrisburg, state garages on N 3rd and Walnut are often free on weekends. City Island has its own paid lots; the Walnut Street pedestrian bridge connects it to downtown.
Cost
Free. All official Navy Week Harrisburg events were free, including Fleet Forces Band, Strike Group VR at Whitaker Center, and community ceremonies. The Air Dot Show Central PA anchor required separate paid air-show tickets (general admission and premium chalets).
Harrisburg's Navy connections are surprisingly strong. Naval Support Activity (NSA) Mechanicsburg (~15 miles west) is an 806-acre naval supply depot with 150+ warehouses, 8.8 million sq ft of storage, and ~4,600 personnel. It houses NAVSUP (Naval Supply Systems Command) headquarters and has a nearly $2 billion economic impact.
Carlisle Barracks (~20 miles west) is the nation's second-oldest active military base (dating to 1745), home to the U.S. Army War College. George Washington reviewed troops there during the 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. The region has 51,357 military retirees. Pennsylvania was a cornerstone of American shipbuilding for two centuries, with the Philadelphia Navy Yard among the first U.S. naval shipyards.
Navy Assets & Units
U.S. Navy Blue Angels — F/A-18 Super Hornets (headline act)
Navy bands
STEM demonstrations
Naval History and Heritage Command — exploring "Pennsylvania's proud naval legacy"
Strike Group VR experience (F-35C launch sim, flight simulator, Navy diver role-play)
Community service projects
FAQ — NAVY WEEK HARRISBURG
Navy Week Harrisburg runs May 20–26, 2026. The Air Dot Show Central PA — headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels — anchors the weekend on May 23–25 at Harrisburg International Airport.
The Air Dot Show Central PA is held at Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) in Middletown, PA — 1 Terminal Dr, Middletown, PA 17057, about 10 miles southeast of downtown Harrisburg.
The Air Dot Show offers reserved on-airport parking (sold with tickets) plus free shuttles from designated off-airport lots. Addresses and shuttle schedules are published at airdotshow.com closer to event week. Plan to arrive 60–90 minutes before gates open.
Yes. Blue Angels advance team members #7 (LT Ronny "Downy" Hafeza) and #8 (LCDR Lilly "Lunchbox" Montana) conducted a site visit and flyover at Harrisburg International Airport on December 3, 2025. The Blue Angels are confirmed to headline May 23–25, 2026.
All official Navy Week Harrisburg events (Strike Group VR at Whitaker Center, Navy bands at Riverfront Park, ceremonies at the State Capitol) are free. The Air Dot Show anchor requires separate paid tickets.
Naval Support Activity Mechanicsburg — 15 miles west — is an 806-acre supply depot with ~4,600 personnel housing NAVSUP headquarters and nearly $2 billion in annual economic impact. Pennsylvania is also called "the birthplace of the Navy" for its Revolutionary-era shipbuilding role.
Yes. The Strike Group VR experience at Whitaker Center is family-friendly and free. Activities include an F-35C launch simulator, flight simulator, and Navy diver role-play stations.
Beyond Harrisburg Navy Week, our reference library covers the service behind the outreach — bases, ranks, officer designators, enlisted ratings, and veteran benefits.
