Lucas Holding M3e1 Carl Gustaf Recoilless Rifle at Fleet Week San Diego
Fleet Week is a family-friendly event with plenty of things to do for attendees of all ages.
Below are some of the activities specifically designed to help educate kids on military operations in San Diego and give them a taste of what military life is like as well as fun events meant to entertain, volunteer opportunities and more!
Student STEM Days (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Cancelled)
- Location: Broadway Pier
- Date: Thursday, November 5th – Friday, November 7th, 2025
- Time: Thursday & Friday: 8:30am to 3:00pm | Saturday: 8:30am to 12:00pm
San Diego students can tour Fleet Week San Diego’s Innovation Zone at Broadway Pier in an exclusive early look at STEM-centric tours and demonstrations. Not only is STEM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, a huge part of the military, but it’s also critical for the modern workforce, making these interactive lessons invaluable.
Tours are offered from Wednesday, November 5th until Friday, November 7th and are intended for students in grades 4 and up. There will also be Coast Guard and Navy ships on-site that kids can climb aboard.
Innovation Zone (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Cancelled)
- Location: Broadway Pier
- Date: Thursday, November 5th – Sunday, November 9th, 2025
- Time: Students Only - Thursday & Friday: 8:30am to 3:00pm & Saturday: 8:30am to 12:00pm | Public – Saturday: 12:00pm to 4:00pm, Sunday & Monday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Tons of inventions and innovations in the world of tech are made possible through military funding and applications. The Innovation Zone, which first launched right in San Diego County in 2017, is a showcase of these new developments.
This year’s Innovation Zone begins on Wednesday, November 5th for students and opens to the public from Friday, November 7th until Sunday, November 9th.
You can also visit the Port Pavilion Building at Broadway Pier between 10:00am – 4:00pm to see some of the cutting-edge technology that’s already being put to use in military operations, plus some ways the same technology can benefit civilians’ lives as well.
Volunteer Opportunities (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Check Directly with Event)
- Location: Broadway Pier
- Date: October 30th – November 9th, 2025
- Time: Various
Fleet Week isn’t just about fun and games. It’s also about recognizing and giving back to service members! So you probably won’t be surprised to hear that there will be volunteer opportunities in 2025.
Join the San Diego community in honoring its heroes, or learn how you can show your support through volunteering and sponsorships during and after the event.
5K Race and Family Walk (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Pending Government Shutdown Resolution)
- Location: Ruocco Park
- Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
- Time: 8:00am
New for 2025 is the San Diego Fleet Week 5K. It’s set to kick off at 8:00am on Sunday, November 9th at Ruocco Park and ends at Broadway Pier.
You can choose to take the 5K route along the San Diego Embarcadero and check out the amazing harbor views and skyline. As you run by, you’ll pass the iconic USS Midway and be able to see the active-duty ships.
Participants will receive exclusive Fleet Week 5K swag, hydration station, chip-timed race results, early access to the Fleet Week activities on Broadway Pier, and post-race refreshments.
If you’re not a runner, that’s ok, you can still take part in the 5K family walk. You still get to see the sites, just at your own pace. When you register for the family walk, you’ll receive exclusive Fleet Week 5K swag, early access to the Fleet Week activities on Broadway Pier, post race refreshments, and an immersive auto tour of naval monuments.
I listed all the registration fees and info above in the tickets section, so be sure to register to reserve your spot!
Loving Fleet Week San Diego
Military Family Day (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Rescheduled to New TBD Location)
- Location: Broadway Pier
- Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
- Time: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Reserved for military members and their families, there will be live music, fun activities for your kids, and food trucks. You can also expect hands-on military displays, light armored vehicles, armaments and robots.
If you’re a military member or part of a military family, you’re invited and admission is completely free!
MRE Cooking Competition (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: Cancelled)
- Location: Broadway Pier
- Date: Sunday, November 9th, 2025
- Time: TBD
Meals Ready to Eat, also known as MREs are notorious for not being very tasty. However, they are shelf-stable and incredibly important to troops when cooked food isn’t available.
The 2025 MRE Cooking Competition will feature Navy, Marine Corp and Coast Guard amateur chefs seeing who can transform these simple meals into something truly delicious!
Enlisted Recognition Luncheon (October 30th, 2025 UPDATE: New Date Pending)
- Location: San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park
- Date: Friday, November 21st, 2025
- Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm
The Enlisted Recognition Luncheon highlights the contributions of more than 300 distinguished members of the military with recognition and awards for the ways they have served their communities. The highlight is the Making a Difference Award, which is presented to a guest of honor who has gone above and beyond.
It’s important to note that this year’s luncheon is not being held during Fleet Week. It will be Friday, November 21st, 2025, from 11:30am until 1:30pm, and will take place at the San Diego Zoo. Tables run anywhere from $700 to $1000 each for a party of four.
The featured speaker will be Shannon MacMillan ,who enjoyed a 12-year career with the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team. She was on the team when they won the World Cup in 1999 and also won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics.