Blue Angels In Annapolis: When, Where To Watch Naval Academy Air Show

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Marylanders will have three chances to see the Blue Angels this week in Annapolis.

The Navy fighter jets will have a practice run on Tuesday, a full air show on Wednesday and a brief flyover at the Naval Academy's Commissioning Ceremony on Friday.

The Blue Angels arrive Tuesday at 11 a.m. They will circle the city until about 1 p.m. Their air show rehearsal starts at 2 p.m. over the Severn River. If Tuesday's weather is poor, the Blue Angels will arrive at 11 a.m. Wednesday and circle the city until 1 p.m. that day.

The full Naval Academy Air Show is scheduled for Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. over the Severn River.

The Blue Angels will take flight once more on Friday. At 10:04 a.m., the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets will fly over the Naval Academy's graduation at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. This is a ticketed event, but residents can catch a glimpse of the jets during their approach and departure. Traffic will be heavy around the stadium until about 3 p.m.

Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County suggested watching the air shows by land at:

• City Dock
• Spa Creek Bridge
• Hospital Point on the Naval Academy's campus

A government-issued ID is required to visit the Naval Academy's campus, better known as the Yard. Visitors must enter through Gate 1 near King George Street and Randall Street or Prince George Street and Craig Street. Outside vehicles will not be allowed onto the Yard during the air shows.

A map of the Yard is posted here.

Driving, Parking Downtown

Commissioning Week will bring plenty of car and boat traffic to Annapolis. Drivers and boaters should anticipate delays and closures throughout the week.

The Maryland Route 450 bridge will be closed Tuesday from 10:45 a.m. until about 4 p.m. for the Blue Angels rehearsal. The crossing will also close Wednesday from 1:45 p.m. until about 4 p.m. for the full air show.

Parking will be limited all week.

With the Hillman Garage still closed for its rebuild near Main Street, the Gott's Court Garage has become the most popular option for downtown visitors.

Gott's Court is expected to fill fast during the air shows. Drivers can reserve a space at Gott's Court in advance by visiting AnnapolisParking.com.

The city encouraged downtown visitors to park at the Knighton (Corner of Colonial Avenue and West Street) and Park Place (Just off of West Street and Spa Road) garages. A free shuttle travels between these garages and various downtown attractions.

The Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium lot is the best place to park to get onto the Yard for the air shows. Drivers can park in this lot and take the free shuttle to enter through the Visitor Center at Gate 1.

The stadium lot will be reserved for graduation attendees on Friday. City and state employees who usually use the stadium lot must park in the Calvert Street Garage on Friday.

The Annapolis Police Department will strictly enforce metered parking, two-hour limited spaces, residential permit zones and red zones all week.

Boating Restrictions

The City of Annapolis will enforce boating restrictions during the Tuesday and Wednesday performances. Anchoring will be prohibited on the Severn River from roughly Weems Creek to Carr Creek. Anchoring will also be prohibited in the mouth of College Creek.

Temporary buoys will mark a channel from the Chesapeake Bay through the Severn River and into Spa Creek. Boats must keep this channel clear and moving.

The restricted zone will be in place Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Wednesday from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The City of Annapolis said the best places to anchor are off Greenbury Point by Carr Creek or near the U.S. Route 50 Bridge.

More information, including a map and details for commercial vessels, is available at annapolis.gov/1916/blue-angels-2023.

Helpful Links

Visit usna.edu/CommissioningWeek to see a full schedule of the festivities.

To learn more about the city's preparation efforts, click here.

Additional parking details are posted at AnnapolisParking.com.