A massive parade of Tall Ships takes over Boston this weekend. From Saturday, July 11, through Thursday, July 16, Sail Boston floats into the city. Akin to the United States bicentennial celebration in 1976, Sail Boston is a parade of mesmerizing, cinematic tall ships celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary.
Boston is one of the only five cities hosting Sail250 and the final port on the five-stop tour. The ships began their journey on May 27 in New Orleans, before traveling north to Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City, and finally making their way to Boston this week.
Learn everything you need to know about the historic maritime celebration arriving in Boston this July.
What is Sail Boston?
Sail Boston is a celebration of the United States of America’s Semiquincentennial—the nation’s 250th birthday! Sail Boston is part of a larger maritime tour known as Sail250. Boston is one of the five host ports.
The event brings massive fleet of tall ships from all over the world to Boston Harbor for a a week of sailing, floating tours, history, and fireworks.
When is Sail Boston?
Sail Boston takes place from Saturday, July 11 through Thursday, July 16. If your goal is to catch the ships in motion, the Parade of Sail is the event to catch! After, the parade, the ships will dock at their assigned berthing locations, where ship tours will be available during specific timeframes. Find a day-by-day itinerary below:
Saturday, July 11
- Sail Boston Parade of Sail: 9 AM-4 PM
- Watch for free from Seaport, Castle Island, North End Waterfront, East Boston, Charlestown, Pier 5 Ferris Wheel, or rent your own boat
- Ticketed grandstand seating begins from $225
- Free Sail Boston Festival: 10 AM-10 PM
- 302 Northern Avenue
- Public boarding of Tall Ships: 5-10 PM
- Fireworks show (1 of 2): 9:15 PM
- Fan Pier
Sunday, July 12
- Free Sail Boston Festival: 10 AM-10 PM
- 302 Northern Avenue
- Public boarding of Tall Ships: 10 AM-10 PM (times vary for each ship)
Monday, July 13
- Free Sail Boston Festival: 10 AM-10 PM
- 302 Northern Avenue
- Public boarding of Tall Ships: 10 AM-10 PM (times vary for each ship)
- Crew and Cadet Street Parade: 12-2 PM
- Leader Bank Pavilion to Christopher Columbus Park (parade map below)
Tuesday, July 14
- Free Sail Boston Festival: 10 AM-10 PM
- 302 Northern Avenue
- Public boarding of Tall Ships: 10 AM-10 PM (times vary for each ship)
- Sail Boston 5v5 Soccer Tournament: 10 AM
- LoPresti Park, 33 Sumner Street, East Boston
Wednesday, July 15
- Free Sail Boston Festival: 10 AM-10 PM
- 302 Northern Avenue
- Public boarding of Tall Ships: 10 AM-10 PM (times vary for each ship)
- Fireworks show (2 of 2): 9 :15 PM
- Fan Pier
Thursday, July 16
- Tall ships depart: Thursday morning
When are the Sail Boston tall ship fireworks
Sail Boston will host two fireworks shows. The first will be on Saturday, July 11, celebrating the ships’ arrival. The second show bids farewell to the ships, taking place the night before their departure on Wednesday, July 15.
Both fireworks shows begin at 9:15 PM. The fireworks launch from a barge off of Fan Pier, making the best viewing spots Boston Seaport, the North End Waterfront, and East Boston.
Best spots to watch the tall ships Parade of Sail in Boston
The interactive map below shows the best places to watch the tall ships on Saturday, July 11 during the Parade of Sail. The ships will come through Broad Sound, travel through Boston Harbor, turn in Charlestown and dock at their assigned berthing locations. The burgundy line denotes the Parade of Sail route, and the red and green highlights showcase the best spectating points.
This interactive Google Map details further where to watch the Parade of Sails in Boston. At Pier 5 in Seaport, adjacent to Yankee Lobster, a Ferris Wheel will offer aerial views of the parade.
How many ships are there
Over 50 tall ships will participate in Sail Boston. Old Ironsides, aka the USS Constitution, will lead the parade and dock at her home, Charlestown Navy Yard’s Pier 1. There will be dozens of American ships hailing from every corner of the nation—Gloucester to California, in addition to ships from Germany, Ecuador, Uruguay, Dominican Republic, Spain, Portugal, and many other nations.
This complete tall ship guide showcases the participating ships, their type, length, birth year, and docking location! The ships participating are massive, behemoth ships, with the largest, a 525-foot-long American Vessel, the TS Patriot State. Many of the ships originate from the early 1900s, with a few over 100 years old!
Don’t miss this historic maritime takeover in Boston beginning this weekend!
Sail Boston takes place July 11-July 16 along the Boston Harbor waterfront
