The Blue Angels are one of Pensacola's pride and joys. Just watching them, you can see why. With the home of the Blue Angels being NAS Pensacola, Pensacola residents and those visiting the area have the privilege to watch Blue Angels practice flight demonstrations most weeks from March to November. Watching the world-famous Blue Angels practice sessions is one of the best FREE activities to do in Pensacola with kids, especially kids who LOVE all things aviation. This activity is perfect for the entire family.
Blue Angels Practice Schedule for 2022:
Practice days for the US Navy Blue Angels are held at NAS Pensacola on the following Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The gates open at 9:30 am and practice starts at 10:30 am and lasts about 45-55 minutes. After some of the Wednesday practices, members of the Blue Angels meet fans for a meet and greet and autographs.
Practice Dates with a * are museum visit dates. Times and dates are subject to change on short notice. Cancellations due to weather and maintenance can happen. These are left up to the Blue Angels team and may happen the morning of practice.
March: 22, 23*, 29, and 30*
April: 5, 6*, 12, 13*, 20*, 26, and 27*
May: 3, 4*, 10, 11, 17, and 18
June: 1, 8*, 14, 15*, 21, 22*, 28, and 29
July: 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, and 27*
August: 2, 23, 24*, 30, and 31
September: 7*, 13, 14, and 20
October: 12*, 18, 19*, 25, and 26*
November: 1, 2*, 8, and 9
Things You Need To Know About Watching The Blue Angels Practice at NAS Pensacola
Watching a Blue Angels practice is free and open to the public. You should enter NAS Pensacola at the West Gate off of Blue Angel Pkwy. Gates open at 9:30 am. All visitors ages 16 and old must have a valid photo ID. IDs will be checked at the gate and the Museum Flight Line.
NOTE: Currently, only DoD ID cardholders and Veterans with a Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) from the Department of Veterans Affairs are allowed on base. DoD ID cardholders can escort guests on base and to the Naval Aviation Museum.
The outside viewing area for watching the Blue Angels is located on the National Aviation Museum Flight Line. There will be signs at the practice viewing area directing you to limited parking locations and viewing locations for visitors. Open bleacher seating is available for 1000 people. There is also a chair service with a limited quantity of chairs available for $3 per person. Concessions and merchandise will also be available for purchase.
You should bring sunscreen and ear protection for those with sensitive ears. Small purses, bags containing medications, and diaper bags are allowed. However, backpacks, daypacks, luggage, or similar bags are not allowed.
Other Places In Pensacola To See the Blue Angels Practice
The Blue Angels can be seen from various points around Pensacola, Pensacola Beach, and Perdido Key. Drive down Navy Blvd during practice, and you will see the Blue Angels buzzing overhead. If you don't want to watch from Navy Blvd and your house isn't in a place like ours where you can see the Blue Angels flying overhead, here are a few places to see them.
Ft. Pickens
All the way in the back of the park by the fishing pier is the perfect spot to watch the Blue Angels practicing. Get there early as I hear space fills up quickly. The cost is $25 per vehicle, or you can purchase the $45 annual pass that will cover your entrance fees for Fort Barrancas, Fort Pickens, and Johnsons Beach for a full year.
Pensacola Lighthouse
Located on NAS Pensacola, the Lighthouse catwalk creates the perfect place to watch the Blue Angels practice. Children must be 7 yrs old or 44 inches tall—no flip flops or sandals. The lighthouse recommends you wear tennis or deck shoes. The cost is $25 per person.
Blue Angels Air Show In Pensacola
Can't make it out to one of the practices? That's ok. The United States Navy Blue Angels perform at two local air shows throughout the season. Here are the two upcoming air shows.
Pensacola Beach Air Show
The annual air show takes place on Pensacola Beach around the 4th of July. Along with other civilian and military aircraft, the Blue Angels perform stunts over the Gulf Of Mexico on the Florida Gulf Coast. The 2021 air show will be July 6-9, 2022.
Blue Angels Homecoming Air Show
The last Blue Angels air show of the year is at home in Pensacola at the National Naval Aviation Museum on NAS Pensacola on November 11, 2022. Gates open at 8 am, the air show starts at 9:30 am with the Blue Angels flying around 2 pm. FREE
Celebrate the Blue Angels
On Friday, September 16 from 5-9 pm celebrate the 76th anniversary of the Blue Angels at Gallery Night in Downtown Pensacola. There will be on the street cockpits, meet and greets, Aviation themed are, Naval music performances, and more.
More Fun Things To Do In Pensacola With Kids
- Make sure to check out our list of 100 things to do in Pensacola with kids
- And this list of FREE things to do in Pensacola with kids
- Have a picnic at Community Maritime Park
- Play in the sprinkles at Sweet Cone Alabama
- Visit history and play at the Naval Aviation Museum.
- Watch the planes land and take off at Aviation Discovery Park.
- Play at Perdido Kids Park
- Have fun indoors in Pensacola with Kids
- Play at the beach on this adorable playground
- Feed the birds at Uncle Sandy's Bird Park
- Explore the history of Pensacola at these museums and historical sites.
Wow, that looks like fun!! I would so love to see them in person! 🙂
What a wonderful activity for all that love aviation. SO much fun!!!
The practice times, dates and location of where the Blue Angel’s practice is never accurate. I’ve gone to see them numerous times and they are flying at 10:30 not 11:30, sometimes in days not designated as practice dates. Sometimes they are over Perdido, sometimes near Pensacola Beach. Its so frustrating. Someone needs to do a better job of updating the website.
We got the information from the Blue Angel’s website. In year’s past the information was extremely accurate but with COVID this year has been different and all times and locations are always subjected to change.
In light of COVID-19 restrictions, was wondering if the Blue Angels will announce their PRACTICE schedule for 2021. Would appreciate any info on this.
Thanx!
Not sure! We’ll post it when we know.
Thanx, Cara …..
Hello, Cara ….. just curious if there has been any new developments re: their practice schedule. Thanx.
I haven’t seen anything yet.
Scott found a small update to the practice schedule.
Scott just updated with the Apri and May schedules.
I am retired DOD civilian employee. IHave my card showing that.. Am I eligible to attend and bring family? We will be at the beach in Aug. Will they be practicing then?
You’ll have to contact that Naval Aviation Museum and ask them. They should have practice in August.
Thank you for checking this for me. We have seen the Angels before, but want our grandsons to have this opportunity. They will love it!! I am retired from Fort McClellan that was in Anniston, Al. I retired when it closed in 1999.
Thank you
I read the recommended places to watch the Blue Angels practice but I was wondering if anybody with experience could tell me the BEST place to watch them.
Thank You !
I personally like the Sound Side of Ft. Pickens back by the little peir.
Is there any way to confirm they will be practicing tomorrow (April 13)? I know weather has to cooperate but wanted to make sure before a 4 hour drive if possible.
Sadly no
Thank you.
We are coming to fort walton 5/29-6/5/21. Will the Blue Angel’s be practicing on that Tues or Wednesday, 6/1 & 6/2? We would love to drive our grandsons over to watch them
The June dates aren’t out yet, as soon as they are I will post them.
We are planning a trip to see the practice tomorrow. We are about 2 hours away and wondered where we could check to see if they are flying. Going to try to go to Fort Pickens but heard that the bridge was out, any info on that. Is the practice at 11:30 and how early should we arrive. So glad I found this site. Thanks.
Thanks for the info on this site. We enjoyed watching the practice today from Ft. Pickens. Plan ahead on time with the bridge out at takes awhile to get there. Also we were pleasantly surprised that with a veteran in our vehicle the $25 entry fee was waived.