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Sail Boston: What You Need to Know -- Crew Parade, Events and More

The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District is the official dining & shopping destination for Sail Boston. More than four million people will gather in Boston from June 17 through June 22nd. 

The following information is from the Sail Boston website.

Boston’s history stretches beyond the land to the sea. Boston has a wealth of maritime history—both past and present. Bostonians welcome crews and cadets from all over the world to their harbor on a continual basis as part of the Visiting Ship Program and are gearing up to greet the return of the Tall Ship fleet for Sail Boston 2017!

Known as America’s Walking City, Boston is home to many historic sites that date back to the American Revolution. Visitors to Boston are encouraged to stroll the Freedom Trail, a 2.5-mile red brick walking trail that passes sixteen nationally significant historic sites. The Freedom Trail begins at Boston Common and ends at Bunker Hill, near the Charlestown Navy Yard and the home of the USS Constitution, the oldest commissioned ship afloat in the world.

Boston is an official port of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. The trans-Atlantic regatta will start in Royal Greenwich, UK. From there the fleet will race to Sines, Portugal, followed by Bermuda. The fleet will then race to Boston, for Sail Boston 2017. From Boston, the fleet will cruise in company north to Quebec City, Canada.

Sail Boston will entertain its younger audience with educational programs focusing on US and international maritime history. Cadets and crewmembers will be available to educate children of all ages of their personal experiences at sea, home countries and more.

parade sail

The following is a schedule of events:

Opening Ceremony

Friday, June 16 | Noon
Boston Harbor Hotel Rotunda

With Boston Harbor and the Boston fireboat ceremonially spraying water as a backdrop, the Opening Ceremony will kick-off Sail Boston 2017. There will be a ceremonial welcome with a speaking program to follow which will include a Blessing of the Sails and a presentation of the flags from each country.


Grand Parade of Sail

Saturday, June 17 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Boston Harbor

The Grand Parade of Sail will highlight the day’s activities as vessels parade in flotillas from Broad Sound into the main channel of Boston Harbor, along the Boston waterfront, turning at Charlestown, before proceeding to their assigned berthing areas.

View the Inner Harbor MapSpectator Anchorage Map and Prohibited Items List


Sail Boston Festivals

Saturday, June 17 – Wednesday, June 21 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Boston Fish Pier and Charlestown Navy Yard

Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy music, entertainment and food for purchase.

boarding ships
Public Boarding of Ships

Saturday, June 17 | 4:00 – 10:00 PM
Sunday, June 18 – Wednesday, June 21 | 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Boston Fish Pier, World Trade Center, Fan Pier and Charlestown Navy Yard

Following the Parade of Sail on Saturday, June 17, the Tall Ships will be berthed at various piers for the public to view and board. Boarding times will be posted closer to the event and may vary at the Captain’s discretion.


Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Wreath Laying

Sunday, June 18 | 11:00 AM
Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial

The U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps accompanied by Naval forces from Canada, Chile, Ecuador and Peru will lay wreathes in honor of the men and women from Massachusetts who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and gave their lives for our nation.

crew parade
Crew & Cadet Street Parade 
Presented by Downtown Boston BID

Monday, June 19 | Noon – 2:00 PM
Seaport Boulevard to Downtown Crossing

The Crew & Cadet Street Parade presented by Downtown Boston BID is an opportunity to celebrate Sail Boston 2017 and to welcome crew, cadets and guests from around the world. Marching bands and cadets from the visiting ships will parade from Seaport Boulevard to Downtown Crossing.


Crew and Cadet Soccer Tournament

Tuesday, June 20 | 10:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Moakley Park

Crews and cadets of the Tall Ships will participate in a friendly competition in a soccer tournament at Moakley Park. We welcome you to come cheer on the competing crews from the sidelines!


Sunset Salute

Tuesday, June 20 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Charlestown Navy Yard

Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy a night of musical and military entertainment.

Participants include: Constitution Color Guard; Irish American Police Officers Association Pipes & Drums; Lexington Minutemen; and William Diamond Jr. Fife & Drum


Tug of War

Wednesday, June 21 | Noon
South Boston Maritime Park

Sunset Salute

Wednesday, June 21 | 7:00 – 9:00 PM | Fan Pier

Come see the Tall Ships and enjoy a night of musical and military entertainment.

Participants include: Chilean Band; Dan Clark the Singing Trooper; Lynn English ROTC; Middlesex County Volunteers Fife & Drum; Sweet Harmony; U.S. Coast Guard Drill Team; and Wheelhouse Rodeo


Tall Ships Depart

Thursday morning, June 22

The Tall Ships depart Boston Harbor. The majority of the Tall Ships will continue on the next leg of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta to Canada.

For more information about Sail Boston, including participating ships please visit sailboston.com