Maritime Festival (Tall Ships Maritime Festival) at Dana Point

– presented for FREE along the shores of the Pacific Ocean in Dana Point, California

 

Friday, Saturday & Sunday | September 8th – 10th, 2023 | 9:00am to 8:00pm

The 39th annual celebration of California’s rich maritime history, the Ocean Institute annually hosts a fleet of historic tall ships that sail into Dana Point Harbor.  This extraordinary event takes place each year the second weekend in September.  History comes alive, as crews from each ship, along with historical re-enactors, engage the public in cannon battles, pirate adventures, mermaid encounters , ship tours, and much more.

The California Coast offers an array of festivals and events every year.  Get a taste of the Life on the High Seas with this fun filled weekend event of Tall Ships, reenactors with cannon battles, sailor camp, pirate school, mermaid swim shows, a Pirate and Mermaid Ball with Live Music, Beer Garden Food Trucks, arts and crafts  marketplace and more at Dana Point!

The Tall Ships Festival started in 1984 and is the Ocean Institute’s premier annual event, drawing thousands to Dana Point’s beautiful harbor.  This festival celebrates the return of the brig Pilgrim from her annual summer sail as an ambassador of good will for the City of Dana Point and the Ocean Institute. The Pilgrim is a full size replica of the hide brig immortalized by Richard Henry Dana, Jr. in his American classic seafaring novel Two Years Before the Mast. Since her arrival in Dana Point in 1981, thousands of children have stepped aboard her decks to participate in one of her many award-winning living history programs.

 

Saturday, Sunday, September 9th and 10th

8:15–10 a.m.Mermaid Breakfast

9 a.m. Festival Grounds Open Pirate camp, vendors, food trucks, music, etc.

10 a.m. Festival Adventure Pass Opens

10 a.m. Ship Tours Begin 10:30–10:50 a.m. Pirate Story Time

10:15–11:15 a.m. Mermaid Swim Show

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Pirate Adventure Show on Spirit of Dana Point

11:15 a.m.–12 p.m. Cap’n Jack’s Pirate School

11:30–11:50 a.m. Mermaid Story time

1:45 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Mermaid Swim Show

1–1:30 p.m. Pirate Adventure Show on Spirit of Dana Point

1–1:20 p.m. Mermaid Story Time

1:15–3 p.m. Mermaid Tea by the Sea

2–2:20 p.m. Pirate Story Time

2:30–3 p.m. Pirate Adventure Show on Spirit of Dana Point

3 p.m. Ship Tours Close 3:30–3:50 p.m. Mermaid Story Time

3:15–4 p.m. Cap’n Jack’s Pirate School

4 p.m. Festival Adventure Pass End

5 p.m. Festival Grounds Close Saturday Only

6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Pirate and Mermaid Ball