The first-ever Fleet Week Houston began Wednesday, bringing three major U.S. Navy vessels, a Coast Guard cutter, and more than 1,000 active-duty Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen to the Houston Ship Channel for an eight-day celebration of the sea services.
The inaugural event, running through April 22, marks the first time a Texas city has hosted Navy Fleet Week. It is part of America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
The City of Houston is partnering with the Port of Houston, Houston First Corporation, and other organizations to host the weeklong series of public tours, community events, and military demonstrations.
The event had originally been scheduled for November 2025, but was postponed due to challenges presented by the federal government shutdown last fall.
The vessels open for public tours are the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), the littoral combat ships USS Minneapolis-St. Paul (LCS-21), USS St. Louis (LCS-19), and the U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCGC Edgar Culbertson (WPC-1137). Shuttle buses to the ships will depart from POST Houston downtown on April 18 and 19.
Highlights included a Parade of Ships on Wednesday at Seawolf Park in Galveston, where the vessels entered the Houston Ship Channel. On Thursday, a free concert at The Plaza at Avenida Houston will feature Houston band The Suffers and the Navy Band Southeast, along with food trucks and games.
Other events include an aviation exhibit with Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aircraft at the Lone Star Flight Museum on April 18-19; a Fleet Week Expo at POST Houston with interactive displays and local culture; an East End Block Party with carne asada, Lucha Libre wrestling and barbecue on April 18; high-action military demonstrations at Sylvan Beach Park in La Porte on April 19; and a veteran-focused street festival and drone show in Seabrook on April 20.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire welcomed the arrival of the ships and servicemembers.
“We’re excited to welcome Fleet Week to our city in just a few weeks,” he said in a news release last month. “It’s a chance for Houstonians to meet the men and women who serve our country and to show our appreciation for their dedication and service. I encourage everyone to tour the ships and enjoy the activities connected to Fleet Week Houston.”
Rear Adm. John W. Hewitt, commander of Navy Region Southeast, said the event offers a chance to showcase the Navy’s capabilities to the Houston community.
“Fleet Week Houston is a tremendous opportunity for the Navy to engage with the dynamic Houston community and highlight the dedication and capabilities of our Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen,” he said. “We look forward to showcasing our ships to the American public and bringing our stories to the people of Texas.”
The full schedule, maps, and additional details are available at fleetweekhouston.com. Group tours for companies, youth organizations, and civic groups can be arranged by contacting Jay Cope at 504-957-6305 or [email protected].