Parade of Sail and Flotilla
Thursday, July 23, 2026 | Late Afternoon
Location: Portsmouth Harbor
Docking: Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier
The Parade of Sail marks the official kickoff of the Sail Portsmouth Tall Ship Festival, welcoming our visiting tall ship into Portsmouth Harbor in spectacular fashion. Starting at the mouth of the harbor and escorted by private pleasure craft and commercial vessels, the featured ship will make her way through the harbor before docking at the Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier.
This year’s Attraction Vessel is the Oosterschelde, a beautifully restored Dutch three-masted topsail schooner with a rich maritime history and an unmistakable presence on the water.
Private vessel owners are welcome to join the festivities by escorting the tall ship during the Parade of Sail. Viewing details and recommended vantage points will be shared closer to the event.
Tall Ship Tours
Friday–Sunday, July 24-26, 2026
Location: Portsmouth Commercial Fish Pier
Dockside ship tours offer a rare opportunity to step aboard the Oosterschelde and experience life on a historic tall ship up close. Tours are consistently one of the most popular elements of the Sail Portsmouth Tall Ship Festival and help create one of the most vibrant summer weekends on the Seacoast.
Guests can expect:
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Guided access to the ship
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Opportunities to learn about tall ship life, navigation, and maritime history
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A lively waterfront atmosphere throughout the weekend
Additional details, including tour hours, ticketing information, and onsite activities, will be announced as plans are finalized.
More festival highlights, schedules, and ticket information coming soon—check back for updates as we get closer to July 2026.
Best Viewpoints
The most accessible sites for the public to enjoy the Parade are:
The Commons, New Castle
Fort McClary State Park, Kittery
Four Tree Island, Portsmouth
Memorial Bridge sidewalk, between Portsmouth and Kittery
Tall Ship Tour Parking
Parking is provided at the city garages. More info on shuttles to come
Tall Ship Day Sails
More info to come!
BECOME A MEMBER
If you are interested in tall ships, maritime history, or giving a leg-up to deserving youth as part of the Sea Challenge program, please consider joining the Sail Portsmouth organization. Sail Portsmouth is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization with no paid staff or permanent offices. We depend on members, volunteers, and sponsors to achieve our mission. Please select the ‘Become a Member’ button on this page to join or the ‘Contact Us’ drop-down menu at the top of the page to get more information and to become involved.