Parade of Sail: Massachusetts welcomes ships, crews from around the world to Sail Boston celebration
Sail Boston 2026 continues through July 16
Updated: 4:23 PM EDT Jul 11, 2026
Dozens of tall ships from around the world sailed into Boston Harbor in a historic Parade of Sail on Saturday, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Massachusetts’ maritime heritage. It was the marquee event of Sail Boston 2026, but hardly the last. A week of tours, fireworks shows and other celebrations is still ahead for the city. The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, led the parade of ships. She was followed by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, which competed in a race against her sister ships for the first time since 1976 on their way to Boston. Tall ship celebrations are a beloved Massachusetts and Boston tradition that dates to 1976, when a band of ships came to Boston Harbor as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. The tall ships returned to Boston in 1992, 2000, 2009 and 2017.Historic ships visiting BostonThe lineup includes Portugal’s Sagres, Argentina’s ARA Libertad and Chile’s Esmeralda. From the United States, Boston will host the U.S. Coast Guard’s Eagle, the square-rigged Elissa and the Gloucester schooner Adventure, a National Historic Landmark. Participating ships will tie up in various berths around Boston and offer free tours or other engagements through July 15.Ships will be open for free tours throughout the week. On Saturday, viewing and boarding will be dependent upon each ship’s arrival time to the berth and its ability to prepare to host guests. Organizers said most ships should be ready for visitation by 5 p.m.Ship viewing is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from July 12-15, and ship boarding is widely welcomed within these windows and at the Captains’ discretion.Boston Fish Pier opens for viewing and boarding at 12 p.m. on July 12 and 2 p.m. on July 13-15.What else to expect from Sail BostonThe Parade of Sail may be over, but Sail Boston lasts through July 16. A free festival near the Seaport’s Leader Bank Pavilion will be open daily for all ages.Fireworks will light up the sky near Boston’s Fan Pier on both Saturday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m.Other events include:Sunday at 1 p.m., a Coast Guard helicopter will perform a search-and-rescue demonstration near Long Wharf. On Monday at noon, crews and cadets will march in a two-hour parade from the Seaport to the North End. Tuesday at 10 a.m., the Sail Boston Cup soccer tournament will take place at LoPresti Park in East Boston, featuring Navy crews and cadets from around the world. Sail Boston will conclude Wednesday night with a patriotic finale concert at the Hatch Shell at 6:30 p.m. WCVB Channel 5 is the exclusive TV partner of Sail Boston 2026.
BOSTON —
Dozens of tall ships from around the world sailed into Boston Harbor in a historic Parade of Sail on Saturday, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and Massachusetts’ maritime heritage.
It was the marquee event of Sail Boston 2026, but hardly the last. A week of tours, fireworks shows and other celebrations is still ahead for the city.
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, led the parade of ships. She was followed by the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, which competed in a race against her sister ships for the first time since 1976 on their way to Boston.
Tall ship celebrations are a beloved Massachusetts and Boston tradition that dates to 1976, when a band of ships came to Boston Harbor as part of the nation’s Bicentennial celebration. The tall ships returned to Boston in 1992, 2000, 2009 and 2017.
Historic ships visiting Boston
The lineup includes Portugal’s Sagres, Argentina’s ARA Libertad and Chile’s Esmeralda. From the United States, Boston will host the U.S. Coast Guard’s Eagle, the square-rigged Elissa and the Gloucester schooner Adventure, a National Historic Landmark. Participating ships will tie up in various berths around Boston and offer free tours or other engagements through July 15.
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BAP Unión, Peru
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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BAP Unión, Peru
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Gorch Fock, Germany
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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BAE Guayas, Ecuador
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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BAE Guayas, Ecuador
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Dar Młodzieży, Poland
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Oosterschelde, Netherlands
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Esmerelda, Chile
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Esmerelda, Chile
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Juan Bautista Cambiaso, Dominican Republic
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Juan Bautista Cambiaso, Dominican Republic
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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USS Constitution
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr.
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USCGC Eagle
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Mayflower II
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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American United, Massport fireboat
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Andrew McCallister, tugboat
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Angelique, USA
PHOTO: Greg Saschuk
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Angelique, USA
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware, USA
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Sagres, Portugal
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U.S. Navy Yard Patrol Craft aka Yippy Boats
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Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware, USA
PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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PHOTO: Kevin Wiles Jr/WCVB
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Massachusetts State Police Air Wing flies overhead
Ships will be open for free tours throughout the week.
On Saturday, viewing and boarding will be dependent upon each ship’s arrival time to the berth and its ability to prepare to host guests. Organizers said most ships should be ready for visitation by 5 p.m.
Ship viewing is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from July 12-15, and ship boarding is widely welcomed within these windows and at the Captains’ discretion.
Boston Fish Pier opens for viewing and boarding at 12 p.m. on July 12 and 2 p.m. on July 13-15.
What else to expect from Sail Boston
The Parade of Sail may be over, but Sail Boston lasts through July 16. A free festival near the Seaport’s Leader Bank Pavilion will be open daily for all ages.
Fireworks will light up the sky near Boston’s Fan Pier on both Saturday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m.
Other events include:
Sunday at 1 p.m., a Coast Guard helicopter will perform a search-and-rescue demonstration near Long Wharf. On Monday at noon, crews and cadets will march in a two-hour parade from the Seaport to the North End.
Tuesday at 10 a.m., the Sail Boston Cup soccer tournament will take place at LoPresti Park in East Boston, featuring Navy crews and cadets from around the world. Sail Boston will conclude Wednesday night with a patriotic finale concert at the Hatch Shell at 6:30 p.m.
WCVB Channel 5 is the exclusive TV partner of Sail Boston 2026.