
Welcome Parade
Welcome the visiting ships as they navigate to their ports along the historic Mississippi River.
New Orleans will be the first stop as America welcomes the tall ships of the world to the Port of New Orleans for a nationwide celebration of America's 250th anniversary! Between May 28 and June 1, 2026, we will celebrate America's Sestercentennial with the largest-ever flotilla of tall ships from around the world creating a majestic nautical spectacle along the historic Mississippi River. Along with the majestic tall ships flotilla, a diverse array of events, festivities and celebrations will be held across the entire region to educate, entertain and engage audiences from across the country and across all communities. Join us in 2026 for this unforgettable once-in-a-generation event.
Years of America
Host Cities
Events are still being planned, but visitors can expect the following excitement:
Welcome the visiting ships as they navigate to their ports along the historic Mississippi River.
Experience the majestic sight of fireworks lighting up the sky above Downtown New Orleans.
Engage children of all ages in education activities and once-in-a-lifetime events.
Step aboard and walk through naval history on tall ships hailing from all over the world.
Parade of Sail (Port of New Orleans
Public Ship Tours (Port of New Orleans)
Public Ship Tours (Port of New Orleans)
Fireworks (Port of New Orleans)
Public Ship Tours (Port of New Orleans)
Seafood Cook-Off (The Delacroix/Spanish Plaza)
Public Ship Tours (Port of New Orleans)
Blessing of the Ships (Port of New Orleans)
Public Ship Tours (Port of New Orleans)
The Mississippi River will play host to an impressive flotilla of ships from all across the globe. While exact ships and locations are still to be determined, you can expect to find the vessels gracing the riverfront from the Marigny up to the Convention Center. The beauty of New Orleans is that nearly all of the waterfront is accessible by foot and just a short distance from most major hotels, attractions, restaurants, and more–making it easier than ever to experience everything New Orleans has to offer during this historic, milestone event.
Tall Ship
Homeport: New London, CT
267 Feet Long / 1,824 Tons / Steel hull
The USCGC Eagle is a 267-foot, three-masted barque serving as the U.S. Coast Guard’s training ship—the only active square-rigged vessel in U.S. government service—used to teach navigation, leadership, and seamanship to future officers.
Tall Ship
Homeport: Valparaíso, Chile
371 Feet Long / 3,754 Tons / Steel hull
The Esmeralda is a steel-hulled, four-masted barquentine serving as Chile’s sail training ship, often called “La Dama Blanca” (“The White Lady”), capable of both engine and wind propulsion and acting historically as a diplomatic tool and symbol of national pride.
Tall Ship
Hometown: Guayaquil, Ecuador
221 Feet Long / 934 Tons / Steel hull
The BAE Guayas (BE-21) is a 221-foot, three-masted barque operated by the Ecuadorian Navy as a sail training ship. Launched in 1976 and based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, it serves to train naval cadets and promote Ecuadorian maritime heritage globally.
Tall Ship
Hometown: Callao, Peru
378 Feet Long / 3,527 Tons / Steel hull
The BAP Unión (BEV-161) is a four-masted, steel-hulled barque and the largest sail training vessel in Latin America, commissioned by the Peruvian Navy in 2016. Built by Servicios Industriales de la Marina (SIMA) in Callao, Peru, it serves as a floating ambassador and training platform for naval cadets, honoring the legacy of the 19th-century corvette Unión
Tall Ship
Homeport: Constanța, Romania
266 Feet Long / 1,320 Tons / Steel hull
The ROS Mircea is a three-masted training barque of the Romanian Navy, launched in 1938, used to train naval cadets in seamanship, navigation, and leadership. Known for its classic rigging and elegant design, it serves as both a floating classroom and a symbol of Romania’s maritime heritage.
Tall Ship
Homeport: Montevideo, Uruguay
198 Feet Long / 1,100 Tons / Steel hull
The ROU Capitán Miranda is a three-masted schooner of the Uruguayan Navy, originally launched in 1930 as a hydrographic research vessel. Converted into a sail training ship in 1978, it now serves to train young officers in seamanship and leadership, while also participating in international tall ship events.
Naval Vessel
Homeport: Den Helder, Netherlands
355 Feet Long / 3,750 Tons / Steel hull
The HNLMS Friesland (P842) is a Holland-class offshore patrol vessel operated by the Royal Netherlands Navy. Commissioned on January 22, 2013, it is named after the Dutch province of Friesland and serves as a modern multi-role platform for maritime security and law enforcement.
Sail250 is a free event, and open to the general public.
No advanced tickets are needed. There will be opportunities for specific group tours for ship tours. More information will be forthcoming.
Sail250 is an event for everyone!
Ship tours and times will be announced closer to the spring of 2026.
Yes.
Some of the ships will be accessible. We will do best efforts to meet accessibility need.
Security measures are currently being formulated with the Port of New Orleans and local officials to ensure the safety of all participants.
There are a number of public parking lots located along the banks of the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans, the Warehouse District and French Quarter.