As the Nation celebrates its 250th anniversary in 2026, Navy Weeks have embarked on a celebratory “Road Trip to 250,” serving as symbolic stops across the United States to highlight the Navy’s history, heritage, and continued commitment to defending freedom and supporting American communities.

“We’re excited to bring Navy Week to Cincinnati for only the second time since 2011,” said Cmdr. Julie Holland, director of the Navy Office of Community Outreach. “Ohio has a proud naval legacy and global importance, despite being a landlocked Midwestern state, and notably lends its name to the Ohio-class nuclear-powered ballistic and cruise missile submarines. Navy Week allows us the opportunity to honor that history while strengthening the connection between our Sailors and the communities of the Greater Cincinnati area.”

Navy Week events will feature Sailors from commands across the fleet, Navy bands, STEM demonstrations, and community service projects. The program aims to provide residents with a firsthand look at the Navy’s mission and the men and women who serve our nation around the world.

The 2026 event will build on these existing relationships, showcasing a lineup of performances, demonstrations, and community engagements from the following:

• Naval History and Heritage Command: Explore Ohio’s proud naval legacy and the contributions of generations of Buckeyes who have served across the fleet, through interactive exhibits and educational displays.
• Navy Band Northeast: Enjoy live musical performances and masterclasses from Navy musicians as they appear at venues throughout Greater Cincinnati and during special events throughout the week. 
• Navy STEM: Experience hands-on demonstrations displaying STEM capabilities, giving residents a closer look at the technology and expertise behind today’s Navy.
• Namesake Sailors: Meet Sailors serving aboard the USS Cincinnati (LPD-20), which is an independence-variant littoral combat ship designed for fast movements and operations in near-shore and open-ocean environments to win against 21^st century threats. 
• Sailors from Across the Fleet: Engage with Sailors from commands around the world, including “hometown heroes” from the Cincinnati area who will return to represent their Navy and share their stories with the community.

Navy Weeks bring the Navy to regions without a major naval presence, fostering connections and showcasing how the Navy’s mission ensures security, prosperity and freedom for our nation. The Navy Week program has visited more than 100 U.S. markets since the program’s inception in 2005.

For more details on Cincinnati Navy Week, visit https://outreach.navy.mil/navy-weeks/ or contact John Hankemeier at john.t.hankemeier.civ@us.navy.mil or (541) 844-9789. Follow Navy Outreach on social media @NavyOutreach on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn and connect using #NavyWeek.