Fleet Week 2025: A New Chapter in the Skies Over San Francisco

San Francisco’s relationship with the Navy runs deep, from Mare Island Naval Shipyard, established in 1854 as the first U.S. Navy base on the Pacific Coast, to countless fleet visits throughout the 1800s. But one moment stands out as particularly captivating. On May 6, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet arrived in San Francisco Bay, a formidable armada of 42 warships that represented American naval power at its zenith.

Imagine standing on the shore as this magnificent fleet steamed through the Golden Gate—the strait that would, nearly three decades later, be spanned by the iconic bridge—each vessel gleaming white in the California sun.

Fleet Week is one of those rare events that connects past to present, military to civilian, and — this year more than ever — neighbor to neighbor. As we celebrate the 2025 San Francisco Fleet Week, we’re witnessing not just an air show, but a remarkable story of international friendship and the enduring power of shared values.

2025’s Unique Moment

This year, the skies over San Francisco will look a little different. The U.S. Navy Blue Angels — the team many associate with Fleet Week’s roaring finale — won’t be flying. But that doesn’t mean the show’s lost its spirit. In fact, it’s taking on a fresh twist.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds are stepping in, bringing their own kind of magic — less thunder, more poetry. Nine red-and-white jets weaving in perfect synchronicity, drawing patterns across the sky that look more like choreography than combat. If the Blue Angels are the rock band of the airshow world, the Snowbirds are the symphony.

Meet the Snowbirds

If you’re not familiar with the Snowbirds, you’re about to discover one of the world’s premier aerial demonstration teams — with a backstory as captivating as their performances.

The team’s name came from an elementary school student in Saskatchewan who won a “Name the Team” contest in 1971. The name perfectly captured the aircraft’s distinctive white paint scheme while celebrating their Canadian origins. Their first performance as the Snowbirds took place that same year at their home base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

What started as informal practice sessions by flight instructors grew into Canada’s official military air demonstration team. The Snowbirds were officially designated the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team in 1975 and achieved full squadron status as the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron in 1978 — the first Canadian team to receive that distinction.

The Snowbirds fly the CT-114 Tutor, a Canadian-designed jet trainer, and have flown the same aircraft type for more than 50 years. While other teams upgrade to newer, faster, louder jets, the Snowbirds have mastered the art of precision over power.

Their 35-minute performances feature over 50 formations and maneuvers. The signature “Double Diamond Roll” is flown with just 1.2 meters — about four feet — of wing overlap between aircraft. Imagine nine jets, each with a pilot, flying in such tight formation that their wingtips nearly touch, all while executing rolls, loops, and crosses at speeds approaching 600 kilometers per hour.

Their distinctive white smoke — created using diesel fuel stored beneath each aircraft — traces patterns across the sky, including the famous Maple Leaf formation, a graceful salute to their homeland.

Over the decades, the Snowbirds have performed for more than 140 million spectators across North America. They’ve become ambassadors not just for Canada’s Air Force, but for the professionalism, skill, and dedication of all who serve.

This year marks a rare appearance over the San Francisco Bay — a chance to witness aviation history and a beautiful example of international camaraderie.

A Legacy Written in the Sky and Sea

San Francisco’s relationship with the Navy stretches back over a century to a moment that captivated an entire city. On May 6, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet arrived in San Francisco Bay — a formidable armada of 42 warships representing American naval power at its zenith.

Tens of thousands lined the shores to witness this historic moment. It was more than a military display; it was San Francisco embracing its role as America’s gateway to the Pacific — a city forever connected to the sea and those who serve upon it.

Through the cultural shifts of the 1960s and 1970s, that naval connection faded. The Blue Angels had last performed over the city in the early 1960s, and Fleet Week celebrations drifted into memory.

The Woman Who Brought the Navy Home

Enter Mayor Dianne Feinstein, who understood that some traditions are too valuable to let slip away. In 1981, she launched a campaign to bring Fleet Week back to San Francisco — determined to restore the bond between the city and the sea services.

The revival began modestly, with three destroyers and a handful of support ships, but what it lacked in size it made up for in heart. Feinstein rolled out the red carpet — 1,000 sailors packed into City Hall, officers handed keys to the city, and a silver tea set gifted to the commander of the USS San Francisco. The message was clear: sailors were not just welcome, they were honored.

The gamble paid off. Traffic stopped on the Golden Gate Bridge as the ships passed beneath in formation. Fireboats sprayed plumes into the sky. Crowds lined the waterfront in celebration. A tradition was reborn.

Since that moment, Fleet Week has grown into something far greater than even Feinstein imagined. Today, the event generates over $200 million in economic benefit and has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Defense as the model for fleet weeks nationwide.

More Than Thunder and Spectacle

Fleet Week is more than military pageantry. Behind the airshows and ship tours lies a deeper mission: training, education, and humanitarian readiness. The event brings together military and civilian agencies to share best practices in disaster response — preparation that could save lives if another major earthquake or wildfire ever struck the Bay Area.

This year carries special significance as the U.S. Navy celebrates its 250th anniversary, connecting our modern fleet to the Continental Navy founded in 1775. Fleet Week 2025 was always set to be a landmark celebration of naval heritage and maritime power — and now, it carries an even more meaningful message.

When Good Neighbors Become Great Friends

Here’s where 2025 becomes unforgettable. When the Blue Angels couldn’t fly this year, our northern neighbors stepped in. The Canadian Snowbirds — returning to San Francisco for the first time since 2017 — answered the call.

“Fleet Week offers an ideal stage to highlight the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of the Canadian Armed Forces while celebrating the strong and enduring ties between our militaries,” said Captain Phil Rochon, the Snowbirds’ public affairs officer.

It’s a vivid reminder that Fleet Week has always been about more than hardware — it’s about connection, cooperation, and shared values. The presence of Canada’s Snowbirds alongside visiting ships from Colombia and the Patriots Jet Team of civilian pilots turns this year’s event into something special: a celebration of friendship that transcends borders.

Every pass the Snowbirds make over the Bay, every precise maneuver, every white trail across the sky tells a story about neighbors showing up when it matters — about shared commitment to excellence and service.

Why It’s Best Seen from the Water

Fleet Week air shows are spectacular from any angle. But from the water, they become something truly unforgettable.

Picture yourself aboard a yacht in San Francisco Bay, positioned between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island — right in the heart of the aerial performance. The Snowbirds’ jets streak overhead so close you can see every detail of their red and white wings. The white smoke trails paint temporary art across the sky, framing views of the bridge and skyline. You’re not just watching — you’re inside the show.

From the water, you escape the crowds and parking chaos, trading them for 360-degree views and champagne in hand. Fleet Week was born from the sea — and that’s exactly where it comes alive.

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Departure: 12:00 noon | Return: 4:30 p.m. 
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