If you are wondering when the Blue Angels Practice, we have the answer for you, along with the best places to watch them practice, 2024 show schedule, things to bring with you, and what we have learned from going to practices.
2024 Blue Angels Practice Schedule
The 2024 Blue Angels Practice Schedule is out and active! These are the designated practice days at NAS Pensacola.
- March 26, 27*
- April 2, 3*, 9, 10, 16, 17*, 23, 24*, 30
- May 1*, 7, 8, 14, 15*, 28, 29*
- June 4, 5*, 11, 12, 18, 25, 26
- July 16, 17*, 23
- August 21*, 27
- September 4*, 10, 11*, 17, 24
- October 16*, 22, 23*
Dates with * indicate an autograph day in the National Naval Aviation Museum following the Blue Angels Practice.
Most autograph days are on Wednesdays. Members of the Blue Angels will sign autographs and answer questions on these days.
Tuesday and Wednesday Practices may be cancelled depending on weather and conditions.
Where do the Blue Angels Practice?
The Blue Angels Practice at NAS Pensacola on specific days of the week. They are stationed at NAS Pensacola from mid-March until early January every year.
In January they move to El Centro Naval Air Facility in California.
What time do the Blue Angles Practice?
NAS Pensacola Flight Demonstration Practice are scheduled between 10:30 - 11:30 am
Best Places to Watch the Blue Angels Practice
There are a few places to watch the Blue Angels Practice and have a great view of them flying overhead.
One thing to know is for practice sessions the Blue Angels have a FAA Airspace reservation for each flight demonstration session that covers 5 nautical miles from NAS Pensacola. This is 5.75 land miles from the flight line of NAS Pensacola.
Some of the best places to view the Blue Angels Practice include the National Naval Air Museum, Fort Pickens, Pensacola Lighthouse, boat tours on Pensacola Bay, and various points in downtown Pensacola and surrounding area.
National Naval Air Museum
You can view the Blue Angels Practice flight demonstrations from the museum flight line north of the museum on designated practice days.
You cannot bring backpacks or bags onto the flight line so make sure to plan accordingly. Visitors can carry diaper or medical bags.
Visitors can bring their own lawn or bag chairs or rent a folding chair for $6. There is also first come first serve metal bleachers.
To view the practice civilians must enter through the West Gate Only onto Naval Air Station Pensacola.
The gates are open for public access from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. There is no place to form a line, so don't arrive early, or you will be turned around.
All vehicle occupants 18 and over must have a state-issued photo ID with them.
Accessibility - There are accessible parking spaces near the museum AND closer to the viewing area. Look for the large white helicopter in the parking lot and drive towards it. There is a designated accessible parking space much closer than parking at the museum. Once you walk through the gate they have golf carts that will drive you closer to the viewing area.
There are accessible designated seats on the lower level of the bleachers to the right of the viewing area. You can also bring chairs or rent them onsite if you want to sit close the flight line.
Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a camp chair or chair you are comfortable sitting in. They rent folding chairs but I don't know what their weight limit is. They are plastic seats and I always worry about how comfortable they will be. There is also open bleacher seating on metal bleachers.
Parking - Parking is available at the National Naval Air Museum. It is about a 200 yard walk to the entrance of the airfield from the front of the museum.
Cost - $0.00, It is FREE to watch the Blue Angels practice at the Naval Air museum
Concessions - The Naval Aviation Museum Foundation has a gift store and food/water concessions available on the flight line.
Credit/Debit card only for payment.
Water, Gatorade, Chips, Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich, ICEES (Cherry & Blue Raspberry), Crystal Lite packets, and earplugs are for sale at the concession area.
Keep an eye out for the special t-shirts that are only sold during practice sessions. There are great Blue Angels gifts available including a super cute kids flight suit perfect for family photos.
Proceeds from concession sales support the museum and foundation programs.
Chair Rental - There are folding chairs available to rent for $6. There are a limited quantity of chairs so we suggest arriving early if you plan to get a chair. You will need to carry it from the chair service area to the flight line.
Credit and Debit card only for payment.
After the show they have you leave the chairs in place and they take care of cleaning them up.
Address - 1750 Radford Blvd, Pensacola, FL
GPS Address for the West Gate is 1878 S Blue Angel Parkway, Pensacola, FL 32507
What to bring with you - Bags are not allowed onto the flight line so we suggest making sure you have LOTS of sunscreen on before you walk out to watch practice.
Don't forget the back of your neck and shoulders like I did during our 1st practice! The hot pink shoulder look isn't the souvenir you want to bring home with you.
Hats, sunglasses, ear protection, and your best camera are always a good idea. We brought our professional camera and cell phones and had so much fun taking photos.
During the Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations they may do maneuvers from any of there three shows.
They have specific shows based on weather, cloud clearance, and visibility they may encounter during the air show season.
High show - 10,000 foot ceiling, 3 nautical mile visibility
Low show - 4500 foot ceiling, 3 nautical mile visibility
Flat Show/C-130 - 1,000 foot ceiling, 3 nautical mile visibility
There is an announcer at the outside viewing area who will guide you through what is happening during practice.
At times they will play the pilots talking through maneuvers. The precision that these pilots are able to accomplish is amazing.
Practice may start a few minutes early with Fat Albert the Blue Angels C-130 taking off. We highly suggest arriving early and being comfortable before Fat Albert takes off.
Fat Albert's take off is unbelievable. It's hard to imagine a plane of this size executing a low transition takeoff.
Fat Albert may do a few maneuvers depending on the practice including a Remote Entry, Parade Pass, Flat Pass, Head on Pass, Remote Head on Pass, and Assault Landing.
At the front of each section you should see a volunteer holding flags. Keep an eye on where they are pointing to know which direction the Blue Angels will be flying in from.
One thing to know is they may have a sneak pass so always keep your ears and eyes open for the jets. They truly come from all directions and it is amazing.
A lot of the maneuvers are conducted at the center point of the spectator area.
We found that you can get a great view from most locations on the flight line. If you are sitting in the bleachers the higher rows have a view over most of the people sitting in chairs which is helpful if you want to see the runway.
The lower bleacher seats are still fantastic if that is all that is available when you arrive.
Fort Pickens
Practices can be viewed from Fort Pickens in Gulf Islands National Seashore. We suggest finding an open space so you can see the sky easily.
We have seen people climb to the top of the fort where it is open to see a clear view.
Accessibility - It really depends on where you choose to watch the practices. Some of the areas have boardwalks and paved walkways making it easier to view from an open area.
Plus Size Seating - We suggest bringing a camp chair that you are comfortable sitting in.
Parking - Go early! Parking can fill up quickly and they will close areas once the parking is full.
Cost - $15-25 for a park entrance pass. You can also use a National Park Pass for entrance.
Address - 1400 Fort Pickens Rd, Pensacola Beach, Fl
Boat Tours
You can take a boat tour to view the Blue Angels practice from the water. There are both private and group trips available.
Cost - Varies depending on the tour
Private Blue Angels and Sightseeing cruises are available from Orange Beach, Alabama
Frisky Mermaid offers a Blue Angels Practice and Dolphin Sightseeing Cruise out of Pensacola Beach.
Lil' Toot Boat Tours offers a Blue Angels Cruise out of Pensacola Beach, Florida
You can book a private Blue Angels Show Boat Cruise from Fort Walton Beach-Okaloosa Island.
Pensacola Lighthouse
You can reserve a spot at the top of the lighthouse to get an unbelievable view of practice.
The cost is $30 and you have to book through the lighthouse.
Children must be at least 7 years old or 44" tall to participate. Children under 44” tall will not be able to climb the tower.
Tickets go quickly so make sure to check often!
Target near NAS Pensacola
If you visit Target please park in the large Target lot and not in front of ALDI. We like to shop at Target and Aldi to thank them for the parking space.
We have also heard that the Walmart parking lot across the street offers a great view for spectators.
Where can you not see the Blue Angels Practice?
One thing to know is you cannot see the Blue Angels practice from Perdido Key, Orange Beach, Pensacola Beach, Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Fort Morgan, or Navarre Beach.
They have a designated air space for practice that does not extend to these cities. You may be able to see them randomly doing a Beach Buzz during a return flight back from an airshow in these locations.
What is a Beach Buzz?
Beach Buzz's happen when the Blue Angels are returning from an airshow. There is a chance the Blue Angels will fly past Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Perdido Key, and down towards Navarre Beach and Pensacola Beach.
When do Beach Buzz's Happen?
The beach buzz are never guaranteed but always amazing to see.
For 2024 here are the possible dates for a Beach Buzz
2024 Date - Air Show Location
March 18 - Wings over Solano, Travis AFB, CA
March 24 - New Orleans Air Show
April 7 - Beyond the Horizon Air Show, Alabama
April 14 - Fort Worth Air Power Expo, Texas
April 21 - Cocoa Beach Air Show, Florida
April 28 - Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show, Georgia
May 5 - Vero Beach Air Show, Florida
May 27 - Bethpage Air Show, New York
June 2 - Terre Haute Air Show, Indiana
June 9 - Spirit of St. Louis Air show, Missouri
June 16 - Deke Slayton Air fest, Wisconsin
June 23 - CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show, Ohio
June 30 - National Cherry Festival Air Show, Michigan
July 7 - Greater Binghamton Air Show, New York
August 18 - Chicago Air and Water Show, Illinois
August 25 - Frontiers in Flight Air Show, Kansas
August 31 - Cleveland National Air Show, Ohio
September 2 - Cleveland National Air Show, Ohio
September 15 - Owensboro Air Show, Kentucky
October 14 - San Francisco Fleet Week, California
October 20 - NAS Jacksonville Air Show, Florida
October 27 - Wings over Houston Air Show, Texas
Pensacola Blue Angels Air Shows
Pensacola Beach Air Show
Date - July 10-13, 2024
The 2024 Pensacola Beach Airshow features the Blue Angels along with Redline, Carol Pilon and Third Strike Wing Walking, Veterans Flight, Red Bull Air Force Team with pilot Aaron Fitzgerald, and more.
July 10 - Breakfast with the Blue Angels starting at approximately 7:30 am
July 11 - Practice Show with the Blue Angels starting at approximately 2 pm
July 12 - Blue Angels at 2 pm
July 13 - Blue Angels at 2 pm
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show on NAS Pensacola
Date - November 1-2, 2024
The air show begins at 9:30 a.m. both Friday and Saturday and features dozens of performers, attractions, static displays, food vendors and merchandise booths on site – even a kids zone!
2025 Blue Angels Air Shows - Pensacola
July 12th - Pensacola Beach Air Show
November 7-8 - Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
2024 Blue Angels Show Schedule
During the 2024 Blue Angels Show Season the Blue Angels are scheduled to perform 64 demonstration at 32 locations.
March
9 NAF El Centro, CA - NAF El Centro Festival of Flight
16 · 17 Travis AFB, CA - Wings Over Solano
23 · 24 NAS JRB New Orleans, LA - New Orleans Air Show
April
6 · 7 Maxwell AFB, AL - Beyond the Horizon Air & Space Show
13 · 14 NAS JRB Fort Worth, TX - Fort Worth Air Power Expo
20 · 21 Orlando, FL - Air Dot Show Tour - Orlando
27 · 28 Vidalia, GA - Vidalia Onion Festival Air Show
May
4 · 5 Vero Beach, FL - Vero Beach Air Show
11 · 12 MCAS Cherry Point, NC - MCAS Cherry Point Air Show
22 USNA, Annapolis, MD - U.S. Naval Academy Air Show
24 Annapolis, MD - U.S. Naval Academy Graduation Flyover
25 · 26 Jones Beach, NY - Bethpage Air Show
June
1 · 2 Terre Haute, IN - Terre Haute Air Show
8 · 9 Chesterfield, MO - Spirit of St. Louis Air Show
15 · 16 La Crosse, WI - Deke Slayton Airfest
22 · 23 Dayton, OH - CenterPoint Energy Dayton Air Show
29 · 30 Traverse City, MI - National Cherry Festival Air Show
July
6 · 7 Johnson City, NY - Greater Binghamton Air Show
13 Pensacola Beach, FL - Pensacola Beach Air Show
27 · 28 Fargo, ND - Fargo AirShow
August
3 · 4 Seattle, WA - Boeing SeaFair Air Show
10 · 11 Chicago, IL - Chicago Air and Water Show
17 · 18 Colorado Springs, CO - Pikes Peak Regional Air Show
24 · 25 Wichita, KS - Frontiers In Flight Air Show
31 Cleveland, OH - Cleveland National Air Show
September
1 · 2 Cleveland, OH - Cleveland National Air Show
14 · 15 Owensboro, KY - Owensboro Air Show
21 · 22 NAS Oceana, VA - NAS Oceana Air Show
28 · 29 - MCAS Miramar, CA - MCAS Miramar Air Show
October
5 · 6 Reno, NV - National Championship Air Races & Air Show
12 · 13 San Francisco, CA - San Francisco Fleet Week
19 · 20 NAS Jacksonville, FL - NAS Jacksonville Air Show
26 · 27 Houston, TX - Wings Over Houston Air Show
November
1 · 2 NAS Pensacola, FL - Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
2025 Blue Angels Air Show Schedule
The 2025 air show schedule announced is:
March
15 NAF El Centro, CA
22-23 Sacramento, CA
29-30 NAS Key West, FL
April
05-06 Lakeland, FL
12-13 MCAS Beaufort, SC
19-20 OFF WEEKEND
26-27 Augusta, GA
May
3-4 NAS Corpus Christi, TX
10-11 Ft. Lauderdale Beach, FL
17-18 Martinsburg, WV
21/23 USNA Annapolis, MD
24-25 Harrisburg, PA
31 OFF WEEKEND
June
01 OFF WEEKEND
07-08 Smyrna, TN
14-15 Ocean City, MD
21-22 Belleville, MI
28-29 Eau Claire, WI
July
05-06 Duluth, MN
12 Pensacola Beach, FL
19-20 Milwaukee, WI
26-27 OFF WEEKEND
August
02-03 Seattle, WA
09-10 Kaneohe Bay, HI
16-17 Twin Falls, ID
23-24 Columbus, OH
30-31 Branson, MO
September
06-07 Portsmouth, NH
13-14 OFF WEEKEND
20-21 NAS Oceana, VA
27-28 MCAS Miramar, CA
October
04-05 Salinas, CA
11-12 San Francisco, CA
18-19 Rome, GA
25-26 Lake Charles, LA
November
01-02 Punta Gorda, FL
07-08 NAS Pensacola, FL
Why you will love watching the Blue Angels Practice
- What's not to love about fighter jets flying over head
- The narration of practice is really interesting
- Everyone is having a great time and gasping with joy
Restaurants and Attractions nearby
Whiskey Joe's Bar & Grill - Located in Pensacola Beach this beach restaurant has great food and epic views.
Things to do on Perdido Key - What not to miss while exploring Perdido Key!
McGuire's Irish Restaurant - Enjoy Irish food and music in a fun atmosphere you have to see to believe.
Hub Stacey's at the Point, Perdido Key - Enjoy great sandwiches with a view of the water.
Perdido Key Breakfast Club - Amazing breakfast and brunch restaurant with delicious food.
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Flora Bama Ole River Grill - located across the street from the main Flora-Bama and offers great food, friendly staff, and amazing water views.
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