Dozens of tall ships will glide into Boston Harbor in July for Sail Boston 2026, one of the largest gatherings of tall ships in America in decades.

The summer event, part of Sail250, is a global gathering of more than 60 tall ships representing over 20 countries in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial.

The massive maritime celebration has been in the making since 2018, said Dusty Rhodes, executive director of Sail Boston, during a press conference on Wednesday. The last time tall ships visited Boston was in 2017.

“We have the finest port in North America for tall ships,” Rhodes said. “The ships will be all over the city, which makes it a delightful opportunity for all the people of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The ships will make a grand entrance during the Parade of Sail on July 11. Then they will tie up in berths around Boston and conduct free programming through July 16.

More than 4 million people are expected to visit the waterfront for the six days of festivities. Visitors will tour the ships and attend festivals, fireworks, street parades, educational activities, and international cultural events.

“We take great pride in welcoming the world to this city,” said Martha Sheridan, CEO of Meet Boston, in a press conference.

What are the stops on the Sail250 tour?

The tall ships are making the following five stops during the Sail250 tour:

New Orleans: May 28 to June 1
Norfolk: June 19-24
Baltimore: June 25 to July 1
New York City: July 4-8
Boston: July 11-16

“While Massachusetts 250 celebrates the spirit of innovation and independence that began here, Boston will also hold a special distinction as the final port of Sail250’s historic East Coast voyage,” said Kate Fox, executive director of the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism (MOTT), in a press conference. “That means the eyes of the world will turn to Boston Harbor for the culminating chapter of this extraordinary international journey, placing Massachusetts at the center of a once-in-a-generation, global commemoration of our nation’s story.”

What ships are coming and where are they from?

More than 60 tall ships and military vessels representing over 20 countries will visit Boston.

“You name the country, they’re probably coming,” said Rhodes. “Which is what we’re so proud about, the multiculturalism of the entire thing.”

The fleet includes 22 Class A vessels (more than 131 feet in length); 18 International Flagships, chosen to represent a country in foreign and domestic events; naval and training ships from around the world; and historic and modern sailing vessels.

Many ships and vessels from New England will participate, as well as dozens from around the world, hailing from countries such France, Poland, Italy, Sweden, Germany, and Spain.

The celebration will also include four of five “sister ships” built in the same shipyard in Germany, which raced from Bermuda to Newport during the 1976 tall ships celebration, said David Choate, director of operations for Sale Boston.

“The commanding officers of four of them got in touch with us last August and they want to recreate that event, but it will be from New York to Boston,” Choate said.

What is the Parade of Sail?

The Parade of Sail will take place on July 11 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Boston Harbor.

“One of the signature moments will be the Parade of Sail as tall ships and naval vessels make their way to Boston Harbor from Broad Sound, sailing past some of Boston’s most iconic waterfront neighborhoods before docking throughout the harbor,” said Fox.

Boston residents and visitors can enjoy the Parade of Sail from Castle Island, the Seaport, Boston’s waterfront, East Boston, the North End, Charlestown, Winthrop, Deer Island, and the Boston Harbor Islands, Fox said.

The parade will be led by the USS Constitution, known as Old Ironsides, which was built in 1797 in the North End and is the world’s oldest commissioned warship.

The festivities kick off at 9 a.m. with the USS Constitution greeting the US Coast Guard Barque Eagle off of Castle Island with a grand flyover and fireboats, Rhodes said.

Check out the Parade of Sail route and viewing locations.

Where will the ships dock and how can I tour them?

The tall ships will be berthed at several locations throughout the Boston waterfront, with major concentrations in the Seaport and Charlestown. Here is a map.

The “epicenter” of the event will be at in the Seaport at Commonwealth Pier, Boston Fish Pier, Wharf 8, and Pier 5, said Choate.

“Magnificent ships are in this area,” he said during a press conference.

Many ships will be open for free tours and educational experiences throughout the week.

Here’s when the public can board the ships:

— July 11 from 4 to 10 p.m.
— July 12-15 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Please note, the boarding of ships at Boston Fish Pier will begin at noon on Sunday and 2 p.m. Monday through Wednesday)

Tours are subject to the captain’s discretion and will operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Where is the Sail Boston Festival and what can I do there?

Visitors can join crews from around the world at the Sail Boston Festival at 302 Northern Avenue, which is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 11-15.

The festival will include concessions, live entertainment, a Sam Adams beer garden, merchandise, and the Sail Boston Ferris Wheel, where riders will enjoy spectacular views of Boston Harbor and the tall ships.

Where and when can I watch the crew and cadet street parade?

On July 13 from noon to 2 p.m., there will be a grand street parade from Northern Avenue to Columbus Park including 1,000 to 1,200 crew persons, followed by a grand reception at the state house where the captains and ambassadors will be greeted by Governor Maura Healey and Mayor Michelle Wu, Rhodes said.

The 1.3-mile parade route is as follows:

— The parade will step off from Leader Bank Pavilion on Northern Avenue heading west
— It will continue straight on Seaport Boulevard, passing Commonwealth Pier
— It will cross the Evelyn Moakley Bridge
— It will turn right onto Atlantic Avenue
— It will continue north along Atlantic Avenue
— It will end at Christopher Columbus Park (110 Atlantic Avenue)

“We’re asking all the residents and people of eastern Massachusetts to welcome these crews, these foreign visitors — they’ll be in uniform,” said Rhodes. “Give them a smile, give them a high five, tell them how much Boston welcomes them.”

Where can I watch the Sail Boston soccer tournament?

Since many of the ships have soccer teams — and as a nod to the World Cup taking place at Boston Stadium this summer — there will be a Sail Boston soccer tournament between the crews on Tuesday, July 14 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in LoPresti Park.

When can I see fireworks?

Fireworks will light up the sky over Boston Harbor on Saturday, July 11 and Wednesday, July 15. The fireworks will launch from a barge located off of Boston’s Fan Pier.

What type of security will there be?

Organizers say that the viewing areas along the waterfront will have the same restrictions as entering a stadium on game day, so there will be security checkpoints and all bags will be subject to search. Guests may leave the secured area, but must repeat the screening process before entering again.

There will be no bag storage at any location and what follows is a list of what is allowed and prohibited during the Parade of Sail and on the piers throughout the week.

Allowed items:
Small clutch purses/ bags / diaper bags (that are easily searchable)
Shoulder strap or single handle coolers
Folding/beach chairs
Umbrellas
Baby strollers
Glass baby bottles
Blankets or tarps (max size 10′ x 10′)

Prohibited items:
Backpacks or large bags
Coolers on wheels
Firearms, weapons, sharp objects
Fireworks
Pop up tents or canopies
Alcoholic beverages
Glass containers and pre-mixed beverages
Wagons or pull carts
Drones
Pets (excluding certified service animals)
Grills, propane tanks, or open flames
Bicycles or electric scooters (bicycle parking will be available outside most screening areas)

“We will have a large police presence throughout all of the events that we’re having this summer,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox, during a press conference. “Officers will be both in plain clothes and in uniform to provide guidance and protection for the public.”

There will be medical stations throughout the waterfront, as well as in East Boston, Charlestown, and other areas, said James Hooley, Boston EMS Chief, during a press conference.

“We can hopefully treat many minor conditions and save people from going to the hospital,” said Hooley said. “But we are ready in case we do have a true emergency.”

“Whether it’s Sail Boston, FIFA, Fourth of July, or Boston’s 250th, we always need the public’s help in partnering and to provide public safety and this year is no different,” said Cox. “We say this many times but we can never say it enough: if people see something, say something.”

How can I get a premium viewing experience?

The MassMutual Sail Boston Grandstands will welcome guests at Boston Fish Pier from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ticket holders can experience unobstructed views of the Parade of Sail, live narration about each ship, outdoor restrooms, and food and beverages for purchase for $225 per person.

The premium tickets include access to indoor restrooms and facilities and a lunch featuring lobster rolls, burgers, and pulled chicken sliders for $375 per person.

Tickets are available for purchase at www.sailboston.com/tickets.

When do the tall ships depart?

The tall ships will depart on Thursday, July 16.

Kristi Palma

Travel writer

 

Kristi Palma is the travel writer for Boston.com, focusing on the six New England states. She covers airlines, hotels, and things to do across Boston and New England. She is the author of the award-winning Scenic Six, a weekly travel newsletter.

For the next few weeks, you might notice an additional service charge at some restaurants in Massachusetts in anticipation of international visitors who may not be accustomed to U.S. expectations around tipping.

At Union Straw in Foxboro, Massachusetts, customers will see a 20% service charge during the World Cup.

“Time is going to be very, very far, few and beyond for people when they’re trying to get to the stadium, with traffic and all that stuff. So we are going to implement a 20% service charge on all checks and hope to streamline those operations and save people 10 to 15 minutes,” said Craig Carreira, director of operations for Union Straw.

Right outside of Gillette stadium, at Patriot Place, Bar Louie and Davio’s are also planning to add a service charge during the World Cup.

The World Cup is underway, and the Haitian team made its way to Boston Thursday.

“That’s primarily how we do get paid, is through our tips,” said Christine Peterson, a bartender at Davio’s.

In Massachusetts, tipped workers earn $6.75 an hour. If they don’t earn enough in tips to reach $15 an hour, employers must make up the difference.

A 2024 ballot measure that aimed to raise the minimum wage gradually for tipped workers failed, in part, because many servers argued it would lower their overall compensation. So while tipping is largely expected in the U.S., it continues to be a topic of great debate.

“I don’t really like it. I like to tip somebody for their service, but there’s no incentive for the server to do well,” said Joan, a Rhode Island resident.

New signs and new grass are up at Gillette Stadium as the home of the Patriots hosts World Cup matches.

“All these restaurants are getting all this money with all these people coming here, and plus, they’re going to add another 20%,” said Susan, who was at Patriot Place Thursday. “That’s not right, not in my book.”

“I think it’s a good thing. They’re serving us, they should be able to get paid for their service. So I don’t mind,” said Mishi, a woman visiting from Haiti.

Under Massachusetts’ Consumer Protection Act, any mandatory charges or fees must be made known to the customer wherever prices are displayed on menus and bills.

Gillette Stadium, temporarily branded as Boston Stadium, is hosting seven 2026 FIFA World Cup matches from June 13 through July 9.