Star-Spangled Air Show Information

For Your Protection

Please prepare yourself for a whole day (each day) at the air show. Bring plenty of food and water and/or fluids. The air show is held under an open sky and there is very little shaded area at each viewing site. We encourage everyone to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, hats and smart phones for real-time updates.

What NOT to Do

You may not stop your vehicle on the side of the road or any major highways, including Hanover Street and Interstates 95 and 895, to watch. Police will write tickets and tow cars at the owner's expense for parking on the side of major highways and roads in non-parking, non-stopping areas.

Seating

Space is on a first-come, first-served basis at all viewing sites. Seats or risers will not be available at any public viewing locations, but you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, bag chairs, etc. Once a venue has reached its full capacity, it will be closed to other visitors who may then opt to tour the visiting ships or other attractions within the city.

ADA Accessibility

An area has been designated for ADA access to the air show at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. Please alert a park ranger when you arrive and they will direct you to the area. Please note, this is on a first-come, first-served basis and ADA seating is limited.

Show Time

The Star-Spangled Air Show is scheduled to start around 1:00 p.m. After 3:00 p.m., the pace of action will begin to increase, with the Blue Angels beginning their performance between 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. On Saturday, June 16, Fort McHenry will also be hosting the Celebration of the American Flag at 6:00 p.m., following the air show. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy live music, food, vendors and fireworks at dark.

Weather

The air show will take place rain or shine. There may be delays based on severe weather and lightning, but the show will likely resume following the storm. Please check the website for air show updates throughout the week.

Admission

Admission to the Star-Spangled Air Show is free for all visitors. Please note that once capacity has been reached at each viewing site - Fort McHenry, Harbor Hospital, Port Covington/Sam's Club and South Locust Point for groups only - visitors will not be granted admittance and may then opt to tour the visiting ships or other attractions within the city or at Martin State Airport.

We expect all locations to draw large crowds and reach venue capacity at each site very early in the day. Venue capacity will be determined on the day of each air show based on various factors, including but not limited to, weather, air temperature, and how many people each venue can safely hold. Interested spectators are asked to check the Website, Facebook and Twitter for real-time updates on venue capacity throughout the air show day on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17.

Please check back at a later for updates on specific air show admission procedures.

Road Closures

Beginning on June 14, Fort Avenue will be closed at Andre Street. No personal vehicle traffic will be permitted past Andre Street - a distance of about 2,500 feet from the Fort's main gate - until it reopens on June 18.

Public Transportation

During Sailabration, you may experience a heavier volume of traffic due to the special events taking place throughout the city. Please be patient, check the website for updates and road closures, and strongly consider taking public transportation into downtown Baltimore. Options include Water Taxi, MTA (MARC, Light Rail, Bus), Amtrak and the Charm City Circulator's free Banner Route, which travels from the Baltimore Visitor Center to Fort McHenry every ten minutes.

Public Parking

Please pay close attention to parking restrictions as they vary from location to location. There will be strict enforcement of all parking and no stopping zones during Sailabration. Cars parked illegally will be ticketed or towed at the owner's expense. You are NOT permitted to pull over or stop on the side of the any roads or major highways, including Interstates 95 and 895 to view the air show or visiting ships.

Stadium Parking and Shuttles to Fort McHenry

A FREE shuttle bus will be made available for spectators viewing the air show at Fort McHenry only. The shuttle bus will depart from M&T Bank Stadium Lots A, B and C. There will be ample parking available at M&T Bank Stadium Lots A, B, C, G or H ($20, including an event production surcharge).  Once Fort McHenry has reached full capacity, air show spectators will be redirected to an alternative viewing location, such as Medstar Harbor Hospital and Port Covington/Sam's Club. Please note that air show spectators will be responsible for their own transportation Medstar Harbor Hospital and Port Covington/Sam's Club, as the free shuttle is for Fort McHenry only. 

Fort McHenry National Monument
and Historic Shrine

2400 East Fort Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21230
Website

On Friday, June 15, the Visitor Center Exhibit area will be open during regular hours and the Star Fort will be open until 4:00 p.m. The gates at Fort McHenry will open to the public at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17. However, on both Saturday and Sunday, the Visitor Center and the Star Fort will be closed to protect visitors from risks of overcrowding and the structure from possible damages of heavy visitation during Sailabration events.

For Your Safety

All individuals entering Fort McHenry will be subject to a security screening. Please come early, pay careful attention to all signs and announcements and be patient. These procedures are in place to ensure the safety of those attending the air show.

Parking and Public Transportation

Visitors can access the Fort through multiple modes of transportation, including a free shuttle bus that will depart from M&T Bank Stadium Lots A, B and C (about 3 miles from the Fort), the free Charm City Circulator Banner Route from the Baltimore Visitor Center, the MTA Bus Route 1, via bike or on foot. Given that there will be heavy crowds on both Saturday and Sunday, spectators who reside outside of the city and interested in viewing the show from Fort McHenry are encouraged to park at M&T Bank Stadium Lots A,B,C,G or H ($20, including an event production surcharge) and take advantage of the free shuttle bus provided to the Fort for easiest access.

Once Fort McHenry has reached full capacity, air show spectators will be redirected to an alternative viewing location, such as Harbor Hospital. Please note that air show spectators will be responsible for their own transportation to Port Covington and Harbor Hospital, as the free shuttle is for Fort McHenry only.

Bike racks will be made available at the Visitor Center Exhibit area between Friday, June 15 and Sunday, June 17, as well as outside of the Fort's main gate.

No vehicles will be permitted on Fort Avenue between Andre Street and Fort McHenry from June 14 - 17 and guests traveling to Fort McHenry National Monument for the air show are asked to respect the residents of Locust Point and avoid parking in the residential areas of Locust Point.

Other Fort Attractions

The Fort McHenry Sailabration Village will be open on Saturday, June 16 from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. and Sunday, June 17 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Fort will also be hosting the Celebration of the American Flag at 6:00 p.m., following the air show. Visitors are encouraged to stay and enjoy live music, food, vendors and fireworks at dark.

Items Permitted in Fort

Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and beverages to the air show. Seats or risers will not be available at Fort McHenry, but you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, bag chairs, etc.

Pets are allowed but discouraged to bring due to the length of time at the Fort and anticipated crowds. All pets in the Fort must be leashed and attended or otherwise physically restrained at all times. Pets are allowed in the historic fenced area around the Fort.

Items Prohibited in Fort Tents, awnings, pop-ups, beach umbrellas, etc. are not allowed, so we recommend you wear a hat and bring sunscreen for protection from the sun.

Weapons, drugs, paraphernalia and fireworks are also not permitted. 

Smoking is NOT permitted on the grounds at Fort McHenry or any other National Park. Due to anticipated crowds, Frisbees, beach balls and other recreational items are discouraged.

Accessibility

An area has been designated for ADA access to the air show at Fort McHenry. Please alert a park ranger when you arrive and they will direct you to the area. Please note, this is on a first-come, first-served basis and ADA seating is limited.

Medical Care

A mobile hospital unit will be stationed within Fort McHenry on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 to provide health and medical care to any visitor in need. However, visitors are advised to bring any medications and devices that they may need throughout the day. In addition, bottled water and other beverages will be sold within the Fort so that visitors can stay hydrated.

MedStar Harbor Hospital

3001 South Hanover St. 
Baltimore, MD 21225
Website

Although there will be ample areas at MedStar Harbor Hospital for air show spectators to place their chairs and blankets, the venue is expected to reach parking capacity early in the day, so arrive early to ensure a spot.

On-site Facilities

MedStar Harbor Hospital restrooms and other on-site facilities will not be open to air show spectators. However, Port-Potty facilities will be provided.

Items Permitted at MedStar Harbor Hospital

Visitors are allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages to Harbor Hospital to view the air show. Seats or risers will not be provided, but you can bring blankets, lawn chairs, bag chairs, etc.

Items Prohibited at MedStar Harbor Hospital

Smoking and alcoholic beverages of any kind are not permitted on hospital grounds.

Pets are also discouraged given that it will be a very long day in the sun.

Medical Care

Emergency medical care will be provided on-site at MedStar Harbor Hospital on Saturday, June 16 and Sunday, June 17 to provide health and medical care to any visitor in need. However, visitors are advised to bring any medications and devices that they may need throughout the day, including water to stay hydrated.

Parking

A map of the parking areas at MedStar Harbor Hospital will be posted soon. Please check back at a later date.

Public Transportation

MTA bus Routes 27, 29 and 64 travels Hanover Street past MedStar Harbor Hospital. Otherwise, air show spectators are responsible for their own transportation to the hospital.

Martin State Airport

701 Wilson Point Road
Baltimore, MD 21220
www.martinstateairport.com

You will not be able to see the air show from Martin State Airport, however you can enjoy watching the Blue Angels and the other acts take off and land from the airport. The Blue Angel pilots will also be signing autographs at the airport following the air show on Saturday and Sunday.

The airport will also host a Star-Spangled Aircraft Display and Festival on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. where visitors can enjoy food and beverage vendors, and view military aircrafts up close. Examples include FA-18's an E-2c Hawkeye, a MH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter and an A-10 Thunderbolt. Visitors can also learn more about Baltimore County's role in the War of 1812 and the Battle of North Point.