38th Annual Maritime Festival (Tall Ships Festival) at Dana Point

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

Friday, Saturday & Sunday | September 9th – 11th, 2022| 9:00am to 8:00pm

In 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 the Tall Ships 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.