This September, downtown Baltimore is the place to be for maritime history buffs, families in search of fun activities, and anyone who loves the water. After a shift to a virtual event during COVID, Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover Baltimore is back with in-person events and attractions, starting September 7 and lasting through September 13, 2022.
What Is Fleet Week?
Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover Baltimore is a weeklong series of events and activities taking place along the waterfront in the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
During the week, ships from the U.S. British, Canadian, and Danish Navies dock in the harbor and open their doors to the public for tours. The week also includes numerous opportunities to meet crew members from ships, enjoy demonstrations and performances (including kid-friendly activities) and see air show demonstrations.
https://www.visitmaryland.org/fleet-week
Fleet Week Events
Fleet Week kicks off on Wednesday, September 7 with the arrival of naval ships; they will pull into port starting in the morning and are all slated to dock by 3 p.m. At 4 p.m., the Week will officially kick off with the Welcome Ceremony, including a performance by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Band, at the Inner Harbor Amphitheater at the intersection of Pratt and Light streets.
Each day, until they head out on September 13, ships are open for public tours between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Each day also includes flyovers throughout the day and a variety of events and activities designed for visitors of all ages. A few daily highlights include:
Thursday, September 8
A ribbon cutting ceremony for a new Water Taxi Terminal at Pier 1 (301 E. Pratt Street) at 10 a.m. and the opportunity to witness 20 new Navy recruits take the Oath of Enlistment aboard the USS Constellation at 1 p.m.
Friday, September 9
Tunes spun by Baltimore’s own DJ Allure, starting at 11 a.m., at Bicentennial Plaza and a crab soup cook-off featuring chefs from visiting ships going head-to-head with Chef Kevin Brown of Nancy by SNAC, starting at noon.
Saturday, September 10
Kids on the Bay Parade around the Inner Harbor Promenade, led by Mambo Combo samba line and featuring tons of fun members, from mermaids to pirates, starting at 11 a.m.; stories about the contributions of African Americans to maritime history, at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum starting at 1 p.m., and a variety of performances and activities at Bicentennial Plaza, including precision drill routines by the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard Drill Team (2 p.m.), educational opportunities from the National Aquarium (3 p.m.), and story time with the Enoch Pratt Free Library (4 p.m.).
Sunday, September 11
Educational events throughout the day at Bicentennial Plaza and a closeout dance party featuring DJ Allure, starting at 5:30 p.m.
For a complete list of events, visit: https://www.visitmaryland.org/fleet-week/events
Where to Park for Fleet Week Activities
Downtown Baltimore can be busy during Fleet Week, so planning a parking strategy is a good idea. Harbor Park Garage, located at 55 Market Place, is an excellent home base for your car.
The garage is just steps from the Inner Harbor near Piers V and VI. Situated next to Power Plant Live! and a short walk to Little Italy and Harbor East, it’s also close to many spots to stop for a meal or drink on your way to or from Fleet Week events.
Harbor Park is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is accessible to I-83 and other major routes in and out of downtown Baltimore. The garage is clean, well-lit, and staffed 24/7 by a friendly, knowledgeable crew who are happy to answer questions about where to go, what to do and how to get there.
You can pre-purchase Harbor Park spots online to make trip planning a little easier – with a pre-purchased parking spot, you won’t have to worry about finding a good spot when you arrive downtown. Pre-purchased spots are available for no additional fee and can be easily reserved through the Harbor Park website.
For more information about Harbor Park Garage and to reserve a spot, visit https://harborparkgarage.com
