There will be plenty of fish in the sea during Fleet Week, when thousands of uniformed men and women flood the city streets for fun and some pomp and circumstance.
Whether you’re actually interested in the U.S. Navy, Marines and Coast Guard ships while they’re docked in New York City, or you’re looking to hook a uniformed guy or gal (like Carrie in “Sex and the City”), Fleet Week is heading to the city beginning in earnest on May 22.
Head to these Fleet Week events before the Navy, Marines and Coast Guard set sail on May 28:
Catch a free band concert (May 24)
Head outside to get a rare concert by the Navy Band, the U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team and others during the week: (militarynews.com)
- The Navy Band Northeast’s Pops Ensemble — 7:30 to 9:15 p.m. on May 24 at Times Square (43-44 streets); 6 to 7 p.m. on May 25 at Times Square; and 5 to 6:30 p.m. on May 26 at Times Square
- U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team — noon to 12:30 p.m. on May 24 at the Sept. 11 memorial Plaza; 2:30 to 3 p.m. on May 24 in Times Square (43-44 streets)
Get educated at a ship tour (May 24-27)
Climb aboard any of the five U.S. Navy ships, three U.S. Coast Guard cutters, four U.S. Naval Academy Yard Patrol boats, a Military Sealift Command ship and two Royal Canadian Navy vessels that will be in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. Check out which vessels are where at militarynews.com. (Free; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Pier 86 & 88, Manhattan; Homeport Pier, 305 Front St., Staten Island; facebook.com)
See Navy divers explore … Times Square? (May 24-26)
Watch U.S. Navy divers do their thing in the middle of Times Square. Glass tanks will be set up for the public to see demonstrations of the Navy in action, sporting full diving gear underwater. (Free; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 43-44 St. Plaza, Manhattan; facebook.com)
Hang out on Pier 86 (May 24-27)
For the entire week, you can visit the USNA Yard Patrol Squadron and the USCGC Lawrence Lawson from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
On May 25-26, the pier will be alive with appearances by the U.S. Marine Corps, the Air Force Auxiliary/Civil Air Patrol, the Coast Guard Auxiliary and educational fun from Intrepid Education, the American Red Cross, the Restored and Antique Military Vehicle Clubs, the Guide Dog Foundation/America’s Vet Dogs -The Veterans K-9 Corp, the American Legion and the FDNY from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be performances by the RamCorps-University of Mobile the Latin Giants of Jazz, America’s Sweethearts: Vintage Vocal Trio and the 78th Army Band and Laura Rice.
The Intrepid Museum, which is adjacent to the pier, also promises a sea of Fleet Week-themed demonstrations, guided tours and talks. (Prices vary; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 46th Street and 12th Avenue, Manhattan, intrepidmuseum.org)
See ‘Top Gun’ on top of the Intrepid (May 24)
Enjoy a free screening of “Top Gun” from the flight deck of the Intrepid. Seating is first-come, first-served. (8:30 p.m.; intrepidmuseum.org)
Have a Fleet Week silent disco party (May 24)
Rave to your favorite genre as three DJs spin tracks from three different music styles. Oh, and servicemen and uniform will be there, too. Wear your glow-in-the-dark best. ($15-30, service members in uniform get in free; 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.; Bar 13, 121 University Place; eventbrite.com)
Mingle with single sailors (May 25)
Single and the City, the organizer behind several meetups for New York City’s single crowd, is giving you the chance to chat up men and women in uniform. A mixer event at midtown’s Hudson Station bar will serve up appetizers, music, dancing and more. Service members will drink for free between 8 and 9 p.m. (440 Ninth Ave., Manhattan, $20 general, $10 for servicemen and women in uniform, 8 p.m., singleandthecity.com)
Work out with the Marines (May 25)
Skip the bottomless mimosa deal at brunch and slip into your workout gear instead. The “Marine Day” fitness class will last about an hour, giving you just enough of an Army-style workout to feel accomplished. When the class wraps, stick around for a performance by the USMC Battle Color Detachment (drum and bugle corps). (Free; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Prospect Park, Brooklyn; militarynews.com/fleetweeknewyork)
Catch Imagine Dragons at Radio City Music Hall (May 25)
Veterans, active military and their families will enjoy a day of performances from Boyz II Men, Gavin DeGraw, the U.S. Navy Band and cast members from “Jersey Boys” and “Wicked” in the Summer Garden at Rockefeller Center. And then later that evening, Imagine Dragons will play Radio City Musical Hall, where military members and their families will get free seats. (noon to 10 p.m.; sidebysidenyc.com)
Spend a Sunday at Citi Field (May 26)
All ages are welcome this day of fun at Citi Field, which will feature military displays, a game between the Mets and the Detroit Tigers, and a flyover by the FA-18 Hornets. (Prices vary; mpv.tickets.com)
Take a trip to Liberty State Park (May 26)
Head over to Liberty State Park for a day of Navy and Marine Corps aviation static displays, demonstrations in a Navy dive tank, military band and silent drill team performances, and much more. (Free; noon to 5 p.m.; 1 Audrey Zapp Dr., Jersey City; facebook.com)
Be entertained at Fleet Week Follies (May 26)
Make a toast and party during this daylong event that includes family activities, a happy hour and a night of music and performance from teams with military-affiliated musicians. The event is free to all military attendees and their families, who will be given priority entry. (Free; 1 to 9 p.m.; National Sawdust, 80 North Sixth St., Brooklyn; eventbrite.com)
Commemorate Memorial Day aboard the Intrepid (May 27)
Join hundreds of veterans to honor the men and women of the armed forces. (Free; 11 a.m.; Pier 86; intrepidmuseum.org/fleetweek)
