Tall Ships Boston 2026

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Locations:	Multiple see below
Dates:	Saturday, July 11, 2026 - Thursday, July 16, 2026
Hours:	Hours Vary see below
Ages:	Kids, Teens, Adults
In/Outdoor:	Outdoor
Cost:	Free see below
Category:	Special Events

The Tall Ships Return to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston®
JULY 11 – 16, 2026

Boston's waterfront will once again welcome a spectacular fleet of tall ships from around the world when Sail Boston 2026 sails into the harbor this summer.

This highly anticipated maritime festival will bring historic sailing vessels, international crews, and family-friendly waterfront celebrations to Boston for the first time in nearly a decade.

If you missed the 2017 event or want to experience it again, 2026 will be your chance! Tall Ships visits are rare. The last major Tall Ships gathering in Boston was in 2017, drawing millions of visitors to the waterfront.

View a list of participating ships

The 2026 celebration will be part of the national Sail250 commemoration, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States, making this return even more historic.

What to Expect at Sail Boston 2026

Parade of Sail Watch the majestic tall ships enter Boston Harbor in a dramatic kickoff procession on July 11.
Dockside Viewing Along the Waterfront Ships will be docked at locations such as the Seaport District, Fan Pier, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and other Boston Harbor destinations.
Public Ship Tours In past events, many ships have offered boarding opportunities where visitors can meet crew members and explore the vessels. Details and ticketing info to be announced.
Maritime & Cultural Programming Expect exhibits, educational displays, and activities celebrating Boston's rich maritime history. Cadets and crewmembers will educate children of all ages about their personal experiences at sea, home countries, and more.

Why This Event Is So Special

For many families, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see these impressive vessels up close.

Public boarding opportunities, when available, are typically limited and in high demand, making the chance to step aboard one of these majestic ships even more memorable. Families hoping to tour a vessel should plan ahead when details are released.

Planning Tips for Families

Use public transportation if possible. Parking will be limited. July waterfront weather can be hot; bring sunscreen and hats. Make it a day trip and pair your visit with the New England Aquarium, a Harbor Cruise, or lunch in the Seaport. Sign up for our newsletter for updates as event details are announced.

Tall Ships Locations

Seaport District Sail Boston Festival (302 Northern Avenue), Boston Fish Pier, Commonwealth Pier, Fan Pier, Rowes Wharf (Boston Harbor Hotel)
Charlestown Navy Yard Pier 1 (behind USS Constitution), Pier 4, Pier 6, Pier 8, Pier 11
Additional Locations Moakley Courthouse, Black Falcon Cruise Terminal, Harborwalk (Wharf 8, behind Leader Bank Pavilion)

Ship Viewing & Boarding Hours

July 11 (Parade & Arrival Day): Viewing and boarding dependent on each ship's arrival time and readiness. Most ships ready by 5:00pm. Boston Fish Pier opens at 12:00pm.
July 12-15: Ship viewing 10:00am to 10:00pm. Ship boarding open during viewing hours, at Captain's discretion. Boston Fish Pier opens at 2:00pm on July 13-15 (12:00pm on July 12).
July 16: Ships depart

Complete Ship Roster by Berthing Location

Seaport District

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Amerigo Vespucci	A	Italy	Details TBD
Libertad	A	Argentina	Details TBD

Wharf 8 (Harborwalk)

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Ernestina Morrissey (State Ship of Massachusetts)	A	United States	Details TBD
Juan Bautista Cambiaso		Dominican Republic	Details TBD
Lynx		United States (Nantucket)	Details TBD
HMS Gladen		Sweden	Details TBD

Boston Fish Pier

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Gorch Fock	A	Germany	292'
INS Sudarshini	A	India	177'
Sagres	A	Portugal	293' 8'

Commonwealth Pier

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
BAP Unión	A	Peru	378' 11' (largest in fleet)
Esmeralda	A	Chile	371'
Capitán Miranda	A	Uruguay	210'

Fan Pier

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Bluenose II	A	Canada	143'
Elissa	A	United States (Galveston, TX)	205'
Mayflower II	A	United States (Plymouth, MA)	106'
Spirit of Bermuda	B	Bermuda	118'

Charlestown Navy Yard - Pier 1

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
USS Constitution	A	United States	305'
USCGC Eagle	A	United States	295'

Charlestown Navy Yard - Pier 4

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Dar Młodzieży	A	Poland	357'
Mircea	A	Romania	266' 4'

Charlestown Navy Yard - Piers 6 & 8 (Smaller Vessels)

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Angelique	B	United States (Camden, ME)	130'
American Eagle	B	United States (Rockland, ME)	123'
Liberty Clipper	B	United States (Boston, MA)	125'
STV Vela	B	British Virgin Islands	112' 1'
SSV Tabor Boy	B	United States (Marion, MA)	115'
Bloodhound	B	United States (Provincetown, MA)	98'
Tyrone	B	United States (Rockland, ME)	73'
Hindu	B	United States (Provincetown, MA)	80'
When and If	B	United States (Key West/Salem)	80'
Virginia	B	United States (Bath, ME)	65'
Malabar II	C	United States (Vineyard Haven, MA)	42'
Columbia	A	United States	171'

Charlestown Navy Yard - Pier 11

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
ARC Gloria	A	Colombia	212' 3'
BAE Guayas	A	Ecuador	257'

Rowes Wharf (Boston Harbor Hotel)

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Oosterschelde		Netherlands	Details TBD
Kalmar Nyckel		Delaware	Details TBD

Moakley Courthouse

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
Adventure	B	United States (Gloucester, MA)	137'
Ardelle	B	United States (Gloucester, MA)	72'
Bowdoin	B	United States (Castine, ME)	88'
Denis Sullivan	B	United States (Milwaukee, WI)	137'

Black Falcon Cruise Terminal

Ship Name	Class	Country	Length
USS Arlington (LPD 24)		United States (Norfolk, VA)	684'
TS Patriot State (MA Maritime Academy training vessel)		United States (Buzzards Bay, MA)	525' 1'

About Tall Ships Boston Boston has hosted Tall Ships gatherings several times, including the most recent event in 2017. The 2026 celebration will be part of the national Sail250 commemoration, marking America's 250th anniversary. We'll continue updating this page as more details about the 2026 return are released.

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The Tall Ships Return to Boston Harbor for Sail Boston®
JULY 11 – 16, 2026

Update: The last Tall Ships Boston event took place in 2017. The Tall Ships return to Boston Harbor in July 2026 as part of Sail Boston® 2026, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary.

Boston’s waterfront will once again welcome a spectacular fleet of tall ships from around the world when Sail Boston® 2026 sails into the harbor this summer.

This highly anticipated maritime festival will bring historic sailing vessels, international crews, and family-friendly waterfront celebrations to Boston for the first time in nearly a decade.

View the 2026 Event Schedule

If you missed the 2017 event - or want to experience it again - 2026 will be your chance!

What to Expect at Sail Boston® 2026

While the full schedule is still being finalized, families can expect:

⚓ Parade of Sail
Watch the majestic tall ships enter Boston Harbor in a dramatic kickoff procession.

⚓ Dockside Viewing Along the Waterfront
Ships will be docked at locations such as the Seaport District, Fan Pier, the Charlestown Navy Yard, and other Boston Harbor destinations.

⚓ Public Ship Tours
In past events, many ships have offered boarding opportunities where visitors can meet crew members and explore the vessels. (Details and ticketing info to be announced.)

⚓ Maritime & Cultural Programming
Expect exhibits, educational displays, and activities celebrating Boston’s rich maritime history — perfect for curious kids and history-loving adults.

Best Family Viewing Spots
Some of the most popular Tall Ships viewing areas in previous years included:

- Boston Harborwalk
- Christopher Columbus Park
- Fan Pier & Seaport District
- Charlestown Navy Yard
- Castle Island

Arrive early, bring water and sun protection, and plan for large crowds — this is one of Boston’s biggest waterfront events.

Customers are advised to check T-Alerts and www.mbta.com for the most up-to-date service information. Buying your return CharlieTicket at the beginning of your trip is strongly encouraged and will help to avoid long lines during your travels.

Sail Boston will entertain its younger audience with educational programs focusing on US and international maritime history. Cadets and crewmembers will be available to educate children of all ages of their personal experiences at sea, home countries and more.

Why This Event Is So Special

Tall Ships visits are rare. The last major Tall Ships gathering in Boston was in 2017, drawing millions of visitors to the waterfront.

The 2026 celebration will be part of the national Sail250® commemoration, marking the 250th anniversary of the United States — making this return even more historic.

For many families, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to see these impressive vessels up close. Public boarding opportunities, when available, are typically limited and in high demand - making the chance to step aboard one of these majestic ships even more memorable. Families hoping to tour a vessel should plan ahead when details are released.

Planning Tips for Families

🚗 Use public transportation if possible — parking will be limited.
☀️ July waterfront weather can be hot; bring sunscreen and hats.
🧺 Make it a day trip — pair your visit with the New England Aquarium, a Harbor Cruise, or lunch in the Seaport.

MBTA Schedule
During Boston's Tall Ships Festival this Fourth of July weekend, the MBTA will accommodate thousands of additional visitors as they travel through the Boston area.

View MBTA Service Schedule

📬 Sign up for our weekly events newsletter for updates as event details are announced.

This spectacular event offers crews, cadets and visitors from all over the world an unforgettable experience and a world-class maritime celebration.

Tall Ships Locations

Boston's Seaport District
+ Fish Pier - Boston Seaport District
+ North Jetty
+ Black Falcon Terminal
+ Charlestown Navy Yard

Planned activities include parades of sail, public tours of the vessels, and air shows, according to organizers. The ceremonies will also commemorate the writing of “The Star Spangled Banner,’’ which Francis Scott Key wrote in 1814.

HOURS

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Public Access to Piers - 10:00am - 6:00pm
See complete schedule for all pier times

COST

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Free public viewing; boarding and tours may vary

WEBSITE

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www.sailboston.com/

LOCATIONS

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Boston	---	map	Fish Pier; Seaport World Trade Center, Boston, MA
Boston	---	map	South Boston Maritime Park, Boston, MA
Charlestown	---	map	Charlestown Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA