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The Blue Angels have officially wrapped up their 2026 airshow season in Pensacola, but their winter break looks a little different from what you might expect.
After thrilling thousands of spectators at the November 6–7 Homecoming Airshow at Naval Air Station Pensacola, the Navy's flight demonstration squadron is already preparing for 2027.
In fact, the Blue Angels are back at work just days after their final performance, training new pilots, rebuilding their formations and preparing for an intense winter training program in California.
So where do the Blue Angels go during the winter? Why don't we see their regular practice demonstrations in Pensacola from November through March? And when will they return?
Here's a look at what the Blue Angels do between airshow seasons.
The Blue Angels Begin Training Almost Immediately After Homecoming
For most people, the end of a busy season means some well-deserved time off.
For the Blue Angels, it means starting over.
Following their final Homecoming Airshow performance on Saturday, November 7, the team began transitioning to its 2027 lineup.
Training resumed Monday, November 9, just two days after the season ended.
According to reporting by the Pensacola News Journal, outgoing Blue Angel Lt. Col. Brandon Wilkins explained that the team spends its first days completing administrative requirements, preparing new members and returning to flight training.
The Blue Angels don't simply maintain the same demonstration year after year. New pilots and support personnel regularly join the squadron, requiring the team to rebuild its precision formations and develop the coordination needed for another season.
That process begins right here in Pensacola.
November and December: Winter Training at NAS Pensacola
Although the regular public practice season has ended, the Blue Angels continue flying over the Pensacola area during November and December.
This portion of winter training is focused on preparing the new team.
According to the Pensacola News Journal, the squadron typically conducts training flights twice a day, five days a week during this period.
Pilots work on formation flying, timing, communication and the fundamentals of the team's demonstration maneuvers.
For new demonstration pilots, the transition is especially demanding.
Unlike traditional military aviation, Blue Angels performances require aircraft to fly in extremely close formations, often with only a few feet separating the jets.
The pilots must learn to coordinate their movements with extraordinary consistency while building trust with the other members of the formation.
While some Pensacola residents may still hear or see Blue Angels aircraft during these months, these training flights are different from the regular public practices held during the spring and summer.
There is no published public winter practice calendar comparable to the team's regular demonstration schedule.
New Pilots and Crew Members Join the Blue Angels
One of the biggest changes during the offseason is the arrival of new team members.
Blue Angels pilots generally serve two or three years on the squadron before returning to other Navy or Marine Corps assignments.
That means the team must regularly train new aviators while maintaining its high standards for performance and safety.
For the 2027 season, the Blue Angels selected several new officers, including three pilots.
New Blue Angels Pilots for 2027
Maj. Pat Kaufer, U.S. Marine Corps
An F/A-18E/F Super Hornet demonstration pilot from Laguna Hills, California.
Lt. Tristen Perko, U.S. Navy
An F/A-18E/F Super Hornet demonstration pilot from Geneva, Florida.
Capt. Jaron Scarbrough, U.S. Marine Corps
A C-130J Super Hercules demonstration pilot from Enumclaw, Washington.
The team also selected Lt. Cmdr. Derek Owen as events coordinator and Lt. Cmdr. Will Sears as assistant maintenance officer.
Approximately one-third of the aircraft maintenance personnel also rotate out as new members join the squadron.
These transitions involve more than introducing new people. Pilots, aviation technicians and support personnel must learn to work together as one coordinated unit.
The winter months give everyone time to prepare before the demanding national airshow schedule begins.
January Through March: The Blue Angels Move to California
In January, the Blue Angels leave Pensacola for their annual winter training deployment at Naval Air Facility El Centro in Southern California.
Located in the Imperial Valley, NAF El Centro has served as the Blue Angels' winter training home for decades.
The team has trained there since 1967, making the California facility an important part of its preparation for each season.
But why California?
One major reason is the weather.
Southern California's Imperial Valley generally offers favorable flying conditions during the winter months, allowing the squadron to maintain a demanding training schedule with fewer weather interruptions.
The area also provides the airspace and facilities needed for repeated formation training.
While Pensacola remains the team's home base, El Centro becomes its temporary home for much of the winter.
What Does Blue Angels Training Look Like in California?
Training becomes even more intensive once the team arrives at El Centro.
According to Lt. Col. Brandon Wilkins, the Blue Angels typically fly approximately 15 training flights per week during their California deployment.
That includes days with two flights and others with three.
Each training session gives the pilots additional opportunities to refine their formations, improve timing and prepare for the full demonstration routine.
The work includes maneuvers such as the Diamond Formation, opposing solo passes, high-speed crossings and the team's signature Delta Formation.
The goal is to prepare the entire squadron to perform safely and consistently during the upcoming airshow season.
While pilots receive much of the attention, the maintenance and support crews are just as important.
Between flights, technicians inspect and service the aircraft, prepare equipment and keep the jets ready for the next training session.
The Blue Angels' C-130J Super Hercules, commonly known as Fat Albert, is also part of the squadron's training and logistical operations.
By the end of winter training, the team must be ready to begin performing for audiences across the country.
When Is the First Blue Angels Airshow of 2027?
The Blue Angels' first scheduled public performance of the 2027 season is Saturday, March 13, at the NAF El Centro Festival of Flight in California.
This event traditionally marks the conclusion of the team's winter training program and the beginning of another national airshow season.
The following weekend, March 20–21, the Blue Angels are scheduled to perform at the California Capital Air Show in Sacramento.
From there, the squadron will travel across the United States, performing at military installations, coastal communities and major aviation events.
The team's official 2027 schedule includes performances in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Texas, California and numerous other states.
The Blue Angels will also return to Pensacola Beach for their annual summer airshow in July.
View the Official Blue Angels 2027 Airshow Schedule
When Will the Blue Angels Return to Pensacola Practices in 2027?
For Pensacola residents, the big question is when regular practices will resume at NAS Pensacola.
The Blue Angels typically begin their public Pensacola practice season in late March or early April, after their winter training and initial airshows.
In 2026, the first regularly scheduled public practice took place March 31.
For 2027, unofficial local practice trackers currently anticipate the first practice around March 30.
However, the official 2027 Pensacola practice calendar has not yet been released.
Until the Navy and National Naval Aviation Museum publish the schedule, specific practice dates should be considered tentative.
During the regular season, most scheduled Pensacola practices take place on Tuesdays and Wednesdays when the Blue Angels are not traveling to an airshow.
Practices generally begin around 10:30 AM and last approximately 45 minutes.
Many Wednesday practices also include opportunities for visitors to meet team members and receive autographs at the National Naval Aviation Museum.
See Our Pensacola Blue Angels Practice Information
Where Can You Watch Blue Angels Practices When They Return?
Once public practices resume in the spring, Pensacola residents and visitors will have several options for watching the team.
National Naval Aviation Museum
Located aboard NAS Pensacola, the National Naval Aviation Museum offers one of the most popular practice viewing areas.
Spectators can watch the demonstration from the museum's flightline observation area, which provides a view similar to the perspective used during official airshows.
The scheduled practices are free to watch, although visitors must comply with current NAS Pensacola identification and entry requirements.
Fort Pickens
Fort Pickens offers another popular viewing location for Blue Angels practices.
Located at the western end of Santa Rosa Island, the historic fort provides expansive views across Pensacola Bay toward NAS Pensacola.
Park entrance fees may apply.
Blue Angels Practice Cruises
Several local boat tour operators offer special excursions to watch Blue Angels practices from Pensacola Bay.
These cruises provide a different perspective of the aircraft as they perform over the water.
Because the practice schedule changes throughout the season, cruise availability generally depends on confirmed flying dates.
Explore Blue Angels Practice Information and Viewing Options
When Is the Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Airshow in 2027?
While local practice dates are still being finalized, the Blue Angels have already announced their 2027 Pensacola Beach Airshow date.
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2027
Location: Pensacola Beach, Florida
The annual Red, White & Blues celebration is one of the area's biggest summer events, attracting visitors from across the country.
Additional activities and practice demonstrations are traditionally held during the days leading up to the main Saturday performance.
Specific schedules and viewing arrangements will be announced closer to the event.
The Blue Angels are also scheduled to conclude their 2027 season with the Homecoming Airshow at NAS Pensacola on November 5–6.
The Blue Angels' Winter Break Is Anything but a Vacation
While Pensacola residents may notice fewer Blue Angels performances in the skies during the winter, the team is far from inactive.
November and December are dedicated to rebuilding the squadron and beginning flight training in Pensacola.
January through early March bring intensive training at NAF El Centro in California.
And by mid-March, the Blue Angels are ready to begin another season of performances across the country.
For Pensacola, the annual return of public practices signals that spring is approaching and another season of Blue Angels excitement is getting underway.
If you're already looking forward to seeing the Blues again, keep an eye on our Blue Angels Practice Schedule and Viewing Guide for updated dates, locations and everything you need to know about watching the team in Pensacola.
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