The Tall Ships Make Their Return to [Sail] Boston

On June 17, Boston will welcome The Tall Ships Regatta to its port – a transatlantic race of 7,000 nautical miles and five legs, taking place between the United Kingdom and Canada. The ships will arrive to their U.S. destination on Saturday and depart on Thursday, with various events and opportunities to view and board the ships in between.

The ships started in the borough of Royal Greenwich in the United Kingdom, departing on April 16. From there they traveled to Sines, Portugal, departing for Bermuda on May 1. From Bermuda they were bound for the United States (and Boston!) starting on June 5, where they will arrive in the city for the first time since 2009. After Boston, the ships will depart for Canada where they will begin the Guest Port Program portion of their trip, with planned stops in more than 35 Canadian ports.

Sail Boston will offer younger audiences educational programs focusing on U.S. and international maritime history. It will also delight visitors, from young to old, when the Grand Parade of Sail arrives in Boston on Saturday. 50 vessels will parade in flotillas from Broad Sound into the main channel of Boston Harbor, along the Boston waterfront, turning at Charlestown, before proceeded to their assigned berths. Ships will be docked throughout the city, from Charlestown to the Seaport in South Boston.

Schedule of Events:

• Opening Ceremony: Friday, June 16, 12:00 pm | Boston Harbor Hotel Rotunda
• Grand Parade of Sail: Saturday, June 17, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm | Boston Harbor
• Sail Boston Festivals: Saturday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Boston Fish Pier & Charlestown Navy Yard
• Public Boarding of Ships (free): Saturday, June 17, 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm; Sunday, June 18 – Wednesday, June 21, 10:00 am – 10:00 pm | Boston Fish Pier, World Trade Center, Fan Pier, Charlestown Navy Yard
• Sail Boston Worship Service: Saturday, June 18, 10:00 am – 10:30 am | Chapel of Our Lady of Good Voyage
• Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Wreath Laying: Sunday, June 18, 11:00 am | Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial
• Crew & Cadet Street Parade: Monday, June 19, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Seaport Boulevard to Downtown Crossing
• Crew and Cadet Soccer Tournament: Tuesday, June 20, 10:00 am – 2:30 pm | Moakley Park
• Tug of War: Wednesday, June 21, 12:00 pm | South Boston Maritime Park
• Sunset Salute: Wednesday, June 21, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Fan Pier
• Tall Ships Depart: Thursday morning, June 22

See a map of all activity locations.

Travel Alert for Visitors to the BCEC & The Lawn On D
With 2-3 million spectators anticipated for this event on Saturday (4-6 million overall), it is highly encouraged that visitors to the city take alternative means of transportation. Visitors to Sail Boston are encouraged to take public transportation (MBTA subway, buses, and/or Commuter Rail). Visitors to the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC) and The Lawn On D will have parking available in the South Lot and The Lot On D, but please allow extra travel time for getting to your destination.

Check out the Sail Boston or the City of Boston Sail Boston websites for more information regarding impacted roadways around Boston.

Security Alert for Visitors to the BCEC Attending Sail Boston
The safety of visitors to Sail Boston is of the utmost importance to the City of Boston. Visitors should expect to see extra security measures in place during this event.

Please see the Sail Boston website for information about event security and prohibited items in the viewing areas.

Even if you can’t make it to Sail Boston, you can experience our outstanding Waterfront year-round with harbor cruises, restaurants, attractions, and more, all situated along Boston Harbor. Discover all that Boston has to offer (on a regular basis) by seeing what to do during your next trip to Boston.