The tradition of Fleet Week is a seven-day celebration of the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Coast Guard, that features a week of ship tours, military demonstrations, parades, concerts, and festivals. For the first time in history, Houston will host Fleet Week this fall.
Originated in 1935, San Diego hosted the first official Fleet Week during the California Pacific International Exposition. The idea was to showcase U.S. naval strength and foster goodwill between the military and the public. Over the years, other cities like New York and San Francisco adopted the tradition, turning Fleet Week into a national celebration of America’s maritime forces.
For the 250th anniversary of U.S. Navy, Houston will host Fleet Week for its very first time. From November 9, 2025 to November 16, 2025, the event will see the presence of over a thousand Marine and Navy personnel and feature military demonstrations, active-duty ships and ship tours, air shows, and other public exhibitions.
Following U.S. Fleet Forces commander, Adm. Daryl Caudle, accepting the invitation, Mayor John Whitmire made the announcement this past week in an online video:
“It’ll be the first time that Fleet Week is in the state of Texas, meaning [the] first time in Houston. We have a great port. We certainly support our military in Houston and the greater Houston area”.
Fleet Week is hosted in various cities throughout the year. This May, New York will host Fleet Week followed by the event in San Francisco this October.
“We are all in,” Caudle stated. “We look so forward to bringing the Navy to Houston for the first ever Fleet Week Houston.”
Details regarding the specific ships, calendar of events, and locations have yet to be released, so stay tuned!