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 2024:
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: 26 and 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*
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 older must have a valid photo ID. IDs will be checked at the gate and the Museum Flight Line.
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 $5 per chair. 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
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. .
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 2024 air show will be on July 13, 2024.
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 1-2, 2024. Gates open at 8 am, the air show starts at 9:30 am with the Blue Angels flying around 2 pm. FREE
Can regular folks, non veteran’s enter the air show area and use the bleachers and chairs ?
Was a few years back and sit near the tarmac.
Hi Charles,
They just opened it up to the public. I’ll double check and update the post.