Naval Academy Commissioning Week 2026: The Annapolis Guide

It’s that time of year again – when statues are Criscoed, the coolest graduation caps ever are thrown, and Annapolis Harbor gets so crowded you could walk from Horn Point to City Dock without getting your toes wet (unless you spill your beer). Whether you just want to see the Blue Angels or you’re committed to the full package, we have all the details.

Because of the war in Iran, there is no general public access to the Naval Academy. People without approved credentials can be escorted by CAC/DoD ID holders. But for the most part, you won’t be visited the Yard this Commissioning Week.

It’s not the end of the world for Blue Angels (because you can see them from almost anywhere) but it will put a damper on the Herndon Climb and Color Parade.

You can always visit the Naval Academy website for the latest updates.

As of Monday, May 11, the Naval Academy is open for general public visitation (GPV) for US citizens. Foreign national GPV and Trusted Traveler are still restricted and suspended respectively.

Herndon Climb (Wednesday 5/13) - One of Scoop’s favorite traditions. Hundreds of plebes try to climb a 21-foot tall granite obelisk covered in lard. Could take a few minutes. Could take a few hours (more likely).

Blue Angels (Tuesday/Wednesday 5/19 & 5/20) - Most of Annapolis sees this as the highlight of Commissioning Week (us included).

Color Parade (Thursday 5/21) - The final full dress parade for the graduating Midshipmen. Always a fun one.

Graduation (Friday 5/22) - Participants in Commissioning Week see this as the highlight of the week and more importantly, the start of their careers.

Full Commissioning Week schedule

In a normal year, this is one of the best free shows in Annapolis. This year, you’ll likely have to tune in online.

UPDATE: We are so excited about Yard access opening back up that we’re leaving the old stuff about it being restricted!

Here’s the backstory: every may, the plebes (aka freshmen) end their first year at the Academy by scaling the 21-foot Herndon Monument. They have to build a human pyramid, reach the top, and swap out the dixie cup (plebe hat) for an upperclassmen’s cover. Once Herndon’s “capped,” they’re plebes no more and everyone loses their mind.

The Class of 1972 did it in 90 seconds but there was no grease that year. The Class of 1998 took 4 hours, 5 minutes, and 17 seconds – ouch. And last year’s class did it in a respectable 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 31 seconds.

Can’t make it to the Yard? You can always check in on YouTube.

The Blue Angels are the Super Bowl of Commissioning Week, and unlike Herndon, the Yard closure doesn’t really impact it. You might just have to change where you watch.

With the Yard under restricted access, the on-Yard viewing spots — including Hospital Point — are currently off the table. That's a bummer. But here's the thing: some of the best Blue Angels views in Annapolis aren't on the Yard anyway.

The schedule:

Weather drives everything. The Blues fly three different shows based on cloud coverage, and if the forecast looks rough, Tuesday might be the smarter play. Keep an eye on the weather and be ready to pivot.

Publisher's note: Say what you want about Tuesday. As long as the weather holds, Wednesday still gets a slight edge from me. But you genuinely cannot go wrong either way.

Road closures

The Naval Academy Bridge (Route 450) closes on both days at the following times:

Exit 27 onto southbound MD-450 will also be closed.

Eastport

If your watch plan involves Eastport (or parking there), note that from 11 AM – 5 PM on both Tuesday and Wednesday there is no parking on the inbound (AKA right) sides of:

During the shows, the following Eastport roads will be closed:

Getting out:

Watching on the Yard

With the Yard access update, we have reached out to the Naval Academy’s public affairs team regarding festivities on the Yard. This story will be updated.

UPDATE: The Academy’s public affairs team has told us they do not expect this year’s Hospital Point festivities to different from previous years.

Watching on the water

This is the move. Without a doubt the best way to watch. If you don’t own a boat, start texting your friends who do and offer to bring the best snacks and drinks.

If you do own a boat, be advised that boating on Blue Angels days is not for novices. It’s crowded, choppy (because waves are bouncing off so many boats), and not everyone’s responsible with alcohol. I’ve seen people try to set an anchor for almost an hour before giving up. I’ve seen collisions. If you aren’t confident in your skills, go on someone else’s boat or stay on land.

Kayaks and SUPs are great for watching, too. The sun can be something serious though so bring sun protection and a cooler to stay hydrated.

There are two main hotspots:

Both are great. I prefer outside the harbor but that might not be an option for folks coming from the Severn River because the restricted zone closes at 10:30 AM on practice day and 1:30 PM on show day.

The restricted zone and channel are no joke. If you infringe on them, heavily armed boats will shoo you away.

Watching on land

Plenty of great options — you just need a plan before show day, not the morning of.

Waterfront restaurants fill up fast. Choptank, Blackwall Hitch, Latitude 38, Metropolitan, Carroll's Creek Cafe, and Severn Inn all have outdoor options worth calling about now. Don't wait.

If you want to skip the reservation game entirely, pack a cooler and head to Eastport. Just be sure to check the traffic section above. Spots overlooking Spa Creek and Horn Point are solid, free, and way more relaxed. The Eastport Bridge gets a crowd and a party — if that's your scene, show up early.

A few other spots worth knowing:

Real talk

You can’t believe everything you hear during Blue Angels. People will literally say anything. Here are some myths and truths to keep you straight.

Myth: The jets fly under the Naval Academy Bridge

Truth: The pilots can usually be found at McGarvey’s the night before the show

Myth: Tuesday and Wednesday are no different

Truth: The Blue Angels have three distinct shows based on cloud cover – high, low, and flat. High is what you want. It requires a minimum 8,000 foot cloud ceiling and has all the best moves. Low is still pretty cool. It requires a minimum 4,500 foot cloud ceiling. I’m not gonna sugarcoat it, the flat show isn’t worth taking off work for. It requires a minimum 1,000 foot cloud ceiling. All shows require visibility of at least 3 nautical miles.

Myth: The Blue Angels break the sound barrier during the show.

We thought you weren’t going to be able to watch this with Yard access restricted but now you can!

This is the final formal parade of the spring semester. The highlight is the presentation of the color company pennant by the superintendent. Every semester since 1867, the color company has been chosen based on the virtue of its excellence in academics, athletics, and professional accomplishments.

Location: Worden Field (Halsey Field House if inclement weather)

Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium opens bright and early for the members of the graduating class and their families and friends. This is a celebration of four years of grinding work and discipline, and the elation on the graduates’ faces is a sight to behold. Over 1,000 Midshipmen will be joining the Navy and Marine Corps. Those joining the Navy as ensigns will wear white. Future Marines will wear black. Expect heightened security, and remember, this is invite-only.

The Blue Angels have a scheduled flyover planned for 10:04 AM during the ceremony. We love how specific they are, and it helps the WFH locals know when to mute their Zoom meetings.

Parking for Commencement

On Friday, May 22, the parking lot at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium will be reserved for graduation attendees. There will be no state employee parking at the stadium, and city and state employees who normally park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium should relocate to the Calvert Street Garage.

Traffic for Commencement

It’s impossible to overstate how busy the roads around the stadium will be. If you don’t have to drive nearby, don’t.

Driving onto the Yard is extremely limited. Pedestrian access is easiest through Gate 1 at the Visitor Control Center.

Anyone over 18 must have one of the following forms of ID:

Anyone under 18 must be escorted by an adult with the above ID.

Your bag (and person) are subject to search.

Looking for a good place to eat? There are great options everywhere you go - don’t just stick around the City Dock area, where your Mids have been eating (and drinking!) for four years. Here are some great options a little off the beaten path.

Vin 909 909 Bay Ridge Ave. They don’t take reservations, but the beautiful garden out front is a great place to get a glass of wine and wait for a table. When you do order, just know that you cannot go wrong by asking the waiter for a list of their favorites. Most loved for pizza but everything’s good.

Peter Chang 918 Bay Ridge Rd. Have a big crowd? Peter Chang is the place to be. Their private rooms, huge tables, and not to mention endless dim sum, this is our favorite place to entertain the whole family.

Positano 106 Annapolis St. A new spot from a team with a strong history in Annapolis, Positano is modern Italian at its finest. We love the pizzas, but the happy hour menu is also a thing of art.

Leo Annapolis 212 West St. It’s voted the best burger in Annapolis, but don’t stop there. This is a great place to get a bottle of wine and enjoy some good conversation throughout a memorable meal.

We get it: after so many years, you’re burnt out from the jet fuel and the out-of-town license plates trying to navigate the downtown roundabouts. Ever think about renting out your place? Check out www.midsrent.com where you can list your home for just $25. Then, be like so many other Annapolitans and take your annual vacation to the Outer Banks.