Fleet Fest Returned to Fisherman’s Wharf
The festival held its first event since 2017 at the new outdoor plaza on October 10.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Fisherman’s Wharf hosted the revived Fleet Fest this week, bringing military displays and vendor booths to the waterfront. Organizers moved the programming from its traditional Marina Green location to utilize the new plaza.
Why it matters
The relocation aims to provide a dedicated hub for visitors to gather beyond the annual air shows. Local business owners hope the festival, which last ran before the pandemic, will help revitalize the tourist district.
The festival returned in 2026 after a multi-year pause that began in 2017. One local worker, Don McFarland, has observed the wharf for 42 years.
The players
Port of San Francisco
The agency that demolished the former Alioto's restaurant to create the new outdoor plaza used for the festival.
Fleet Week Association
The group that manages Fleet Week programming and organized the revival of the Fleet Fest festival.
Don McFarland
A local worker who has spent 42 years at the wharf.
The details
The event layout utilizes the new outdoor plaza, created by the Port of San Francisco following the demolition of the former Alioto's restaurant. By shifting activities to Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 27, organizers aim to draw pedestrian foot traffic away from congested sidewalks. Military displays, first responder exhibits, and vendors occupy the space to provide a centralized destination for residents and visitors.
Timeline
Fleet Fest launched for the first time in 2017.
The festival took place at Fisherman's Wharf on October 10, 2026.
Across the Bay
This event marks a departure from the traditional Marina Green Fleet Week activities by centering programming at a newly constructed plaza at Fisherman's Wharf. The shift follows a pattern of local efforts to concentrate tourist traffic in revitalized waterfront zones.
Residents and visitors should expect increased pedestrian traffic around the Fisherman's Wharf plaza and Pier 27 during event days. The new layout is designed to keep crowds off the sidewalks and inside the designated festival plaza.
The takeaway
The move to Fisherman's Wharf signifies a shift in how the city manages large-scale waterfront crowds. Keep an eye on local business reports to see if the new plaza successfully drives foot traffic throughout the slower months.
Further reading
Find more coverage on local events and dining in our Food and Drink section.
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