NYC Fleet Week 2022 Starts This Week: What To Know

NEW YORK CITY — New York's streets will be filled once again with white-uniformed sailors starting Wednesday as the annual Fleet Week celebration returns after a pandemic hiatus.

More than 2,000 members of the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard will flood the city between Wednesday and the following Tuesday as their ships dock around the five boroughs.

Fleet Week had been forced to go virtual in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.

You don't have to be a sailor to participate in the festivities: several docked ships will be open to public tours over the next week, with a full schedule available on the Fleet Week website.

That includes USS The Sullivans on Staten Island Homeport Pier and a number of ship tours on Pier 88 in Manhattan.

The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum near West 46th Street and 12th Avenue will host a number of events between Friday and Monday, starting with a Friday movie night featuring the 1995 Denzel Washington flick "Crimson Tide."

"In 2019, our last in-person Fleet Week, about 103,000 people took tours of ships moored throughout the city or saw aircraft displays at various parks and schools," organizers said in a message on Fleet Week's website. "Here’s to breaking that record in 2022!"

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Wednesday, May 25

Parade of Ships: The tides are driving an early parade this year. We hope to get more details soon, but plan to arrive at your preferred viewing spot around 7:00 A.M., as ships are scheduled to all be pierside by 8:30 A.M.

7:00 P.M. Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and Drum & Bugle Corps: Come early to grab great seats in front of the Red Steps at Times Square’s Father Duffy Plaza for a special Fleet Week performance by the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon and Drum & Bugle Corps.

Thursday, May 26

7:00–9:00 A.M. Navy vs Marine Corps Tug of War: The annual fight for bragging rights will happen at the NBC Today Show Plaza during the first two hours of the broadcast.

9:45–11:00 A.M. World Trade Center Freedom Run: Up to 200 Marines, Coast Guardsmen and First Responders will run a loop of lower Manhattan, from North Cove Marina to the 9/11 Memorial, calling cadence and carrying American and service branch flags.

11:00 A.M. VIP Ships Tour, Staten Island: Members and up to four guests are invited to skip the general public viewing lines and register for our private tour on the USS The Sullivans Homeport Pier.

11:00 A.M.–2:00 P.M. Navy Band Northeast Concert at Foley Square: Navy Band Northeast’s woodwind quarter and brass quintet will entertain at Foley Square Park in Manhattan’s Financial District.

Friday, May 27

8:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. General Public Ship Tours, Manhattan and Staten Island: In case you were not able to join one of our private VIP tours, you can join a public tour during these hours, although the Navy might cap the lines at 4:00 P.M. if needed.

Saturday, May 28

8:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. General Public Ship Tours, Manhattan and Staten Island: In case you were not able to join one of our private VIP tours, you can join a public tour during these hours, although the Navy might cap the lines at 4:00 P.M. if needed.

10:00 A.M.–2:30 P.M. Aviation Static Display Event: Sea Service personnel will educate the public on Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation equipment and operations at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow while the Navy Band Northeast Brass Band entertains.

Noon–5:00 P.M. Military Appreciation Event presented by Northwell Health: The public can view military displays, enjoy the music of the Navy Band and meet service members, including recruiters from the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard in Manhattan’s Flat Iron District.

Sunday, May 29

8:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. General Public Ship Tours, Staten Island: In case you were not able to join one of our private VIP tours, you can join a public tour during these hours, although the Navy might cap the lines at 4:00 P.M. if needed.

Monday, May 30
8:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M. General Public Ship Tours, Manhattan and Staten Island: In case you were not able to join one of our private VIP tours, you can join a public tour during these hours, although the Navy might cap the lines at 4:00 P.M. if needed.

10:00 A.M.–noon Wreath Laying: Representatives from the New York Council and other military and veterans support organizations will participate in this annual commemoration ceremony at the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument to honor all who have served and sacrificed. The monument is located at Riverside Drive and 89th Street and the event is free and open to the public.

10:30 A.M.–1:00 P.M. Turnstile Tours Fleet Week Tour of New York Harbor: Turnstile Tours is conducting a special, in-depth tour of the rich military history of New York Harbor to celebrate the in-person return of Fleet Week. Starting from Chelsea Piers, this special 2.5-hour cruise aboard one of Classic Harbor Line’s beautiful motor yachts will explore the military history of New York Harbor from the Revolutionary War to today. This is not a New York Council event but members are invited to register online through Turnstile Tours.

2:00–2:30 P.M. Search and Rescue Demonstration: The Coast Guard will conduct a SAR demonstration in the waters off Pier 86 in Manhattan.

5:00–9:00 P.M. Farewell Cookout: The New York Council and USCG Captain of the Port Zeita Merchant will host COs, XOs and CMCs for a casual evening of food and friendship before the visiting fleet departs. This event is open to Council Members and invited guests; email the staff at info@nynavyleague if you are interested in attending.

Learn more at the Fleet Week website.