2026 Gloucester Schooner Festival Schedule of Events and Ticketing Information

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 MARITIME GLOUCESTER 

Schooner Challenge
THURSDAY Sept 3 2026

COMMUNITY DAY

A day filled with local flavor.  Local captains and crew will be making the rounds throughout the community, culminating in an evening race sure to wake up the harbor!

On Land:

10:00am to 4:00pm

 MARITIME GLOUCESTER 

Museums and Exhibits Open

Come Sailing:

5:30pm to 7:30pm

 SCHOONER CHALLENGE

Join our local Schooner Captains as they participate in a friendly competition putting their seamanship to the test over an “obstacle” course. Passengers will be given their own set of tasks to win the coveted Rum Bottle Award. Visiting schooners already arrived will join the event. The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners. Ticketed passengers and crew will be invited to a post challenge awards party. 

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

4:00pm to 7:00pm

Culture Splash

check out more info at DiscoverGloucester.com

Community/Partner Events:

7:00pm to 9:30pm

Harbor Loop Concert Series

check out more info at DiscoverGloucester.com

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FRIDAY
Sept 4, 2026

GREET THE FLEET DAY

As visiting sails cross the breakwater, Gloucester Harbor comes alive again, harkening back to the golden days of our Fishing Fleet under sail. This day signals the annual pilgrimage of historic wooden vessels returning to Gloucester Harbor. 

On Land:

10:00am to 3:00pm

 MARITIME GLOUCESTER 

Museums and Exhibits Open

 Schooner Deck tours 

Schooner Floats at I4C2

        10am-1pm

Come Sailing:

10:00am to 5:00pm

 PUBLIC SAILS 

The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners. ​

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

Various Departure Times

 GREET THE FLEET SAILS 

Historic Gloucester Harbor comes alive with canvas as traditional wooden vessels. With so many schooners in the harbor, here is your opportunity to be part of the action! A thrilling chance to greet visiting schooners as they come over the breakwater.​

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

Community/Partner Events:

7:00pm to 10:00pm

Chamber of Commerce Block Party

check out more info Here

Heritage Days_-54.jpg
SATURDAY Sept 5, 2026

MARITIME HERITAGE DAY

The festival’s biggest spectator day, with 3 locations to engage with history and vessels, dozens of opportunities to get on board and view these majestic ships or sail on Gloucester Harbor. The pinnacle of the festivities revolve around Maritime Gloucester’s pier with demonstrations and family fun.

Check out the day’s schedule HERE

On Land:

10:00am to 4:00pm

 MARITIME HERITAGE DAY AT MARITIME GLOUCESTER 

Museums and Exhibits Open, Schooner Deck Tours

Free to the public: schooner deck tours, music, food trucks, USS Constitution 1892 Marines, crafts for all ages, skills demonstrations, community vendors, & family activities. 

$25 hourly schooner sails on Schooner Ardelle!

Get your MHD schedule and details HERE

12:00pm to 4:00pm

 SCHOONER DECK TOURS 

Schooner Floats – I4C2, 65 Rogers St 

Ocean Alliance – 32 Horton St, Rocky Neck

Thanks to generous support from our sponsors, we are again able to provide a visitor-based dockside experience that puts the public on schooners for deck tours. This is a free option for the public, but donations are always appreciated.

Come Sailing:

8:30am to 6:00pm

 PUBLIC SAILS 

The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners. 

​

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

6:30pm to 10:30pm*

 FIREWORKS SAILS 

Witnessing the fireworks over historic Gloucester Harbor is a magnificent sight. Seeing it above you from the deck of a schooner is a breathtaking​ experience you do not want to miss. These sell out quickly, so don’t delay. 

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

*sail times approximate, please check individual vessel tickets

Community/Partner Events:

6:30pm to 10:00pm

 Concert on Stacy Boulevard 

Live Music and light effects

More details at facebook.com/ConcertsOnTheBoulevard

7:00pm to 9:00pm

 Boat Parade of Lights 

This annual event showcases a parade of local private boats and begins at dusk in the Annisquam River. 

For more information: facebook.com/boatparadeoflights

9:15pm

 Fireworks Display over the Harbor time is approximate

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SUNDAY Sept6 2026

RACE DAY!

The capping day of events culminates in the gorgeous spectacle of the Parade of Schooners and the Offshore race for the Mayors’ Cup.

On Land:

10:00am to 4:00pm

 MARITIME GLOUCESTER 

Museums and Exhibits Open

10:00am to 11:30am

 Parade of Schooners 

Schooners proceed from the Inner Harbor, past the Fisherman’s Memorial on Stacy Boulevard and Stage Fort Park, to the race starting area off Eastern Point. Various non-profit and business organizations offer Parade of Schooners or Race viewing opportunities.

10:30am to 2:30pm

Shuttle to Watch Races 

Shuttle Bus to Eastern Point Light From St. Anthony’s Church, Farrington Ave to watch the start of the Mayor’s Race. Free of Charge courtesy of the Cape Ann Transportation Authority. Thank you to the Holy Family Parish for allowing us to use their parking lot.

1:00 pm

Schooner Races

Start of Mayor’s Races for the Esperanto Cup & the Columbia Trophy Off Eastern Point – the race course is decided the morning of the race by the Schooner Festival Committee at a meeting with the captains of the participating vessels.

Come Sailing:

9:00am to 12:00pm

 PARADE OF SCHOONERS 

The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners. ​

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

various departure times, check schooner schedule

 MAYOR’S CUP RACE 

The Mayor’s Cup, Esperanto Trophy, and many other awards are up for grabs in this thrilling off-shore race. The race course positions are decided the morning of the race by the Schooner Festival Committee at a meeting with the captains of the participating vessels. 

​

The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners. ​

Check various schooner websites for ticketing details

GMG Navigation- Get Started Here. Subscribe, Find, See, Do. Immerse Yourself In The Good Morning Gloucester World.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
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2026 Luminaries & Love Event, taking place on August 31 (rain date: September 1). This special community gathering is a peaceful evening of healing, remembrance, and support as we remember loved ones lost to substance use and stand beside the family members and friends they left behind.

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Each year, more than 1,500 luminary bags line the boulevard, creating a beautiful tribute to those we have lost. Canned goods are used to weigh down the bags and are then donated to The Open Doorto help feed our community. In 2025, our community donated an incredible 2,007 pounds of food in memory of loved ones.

How You Can Help

Attend this peaceful healing ritual.
Join us in remembrance and help show grieving community members that they are not alone. Your presence helps create a powerful message of love, compassion, and hope.

Bring canned goods to the event.
Donations of canned goods can be brought directly to the event on August 31 (or September 1 if the rain date is needed).

Donate before the event.
Amazon wish list or canned goods can be dropped off through Sunday, August 30at the following locations:

  • Cape Ann Lanes
  • Middlesex Recovery
  • West Gloucester Trinitarian Church
  • Cape Ann YMCA
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/12D3MHJ9NH5CP?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_ggr-subnav-share_W8HDH96GB2DRJKRKGCQH

Volunteer for setup or breakdown.
Volunteers are always needed. Setup begins after 3:00 p.m. at the Flagpole. Any amount of help is greatly appreciated incuding breakdown beginning around 8pm. It is a labor of love.

Help Preserve the Luminaries

Last year’s event was impacted by rain, and many of the luminary bags are fragile. Over the past year, volunteers have carefully repaired hundreds of bags. Attendees are encouraged to locate their bag from previous years and create a new one if it needs replacement.

Bags, markers and LED Lights are provided. Children are encouraged to draw chalk hearts and blow bubbles (provided).

If weather requires us to move to the rain date, an announcement will be posted by 3:00 p.m. on August 31 on the Gloucester Annual Overdose Vigil Facebook page.

As always, thank you to our community for coming together to make this meaningful night possible. Through remembrance, compassion, and collective support, we continue to honor those we have lost while bringing comfort and healing to those who carry their memory forward.

Together, let’s Light the Boulevard with Love.

Surfside Subs LOBSTER ROLL TUESDAY! 🍕🦞

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Tuesday just got even better! Stop in and take advantage of TWO great specials today:

🦞 $13.99 + tax Lobster Roll
Served with chips & pickles

🍕 BONUS SPECIAL:
Buy any 16” pizza and get a 2nd 16” pizza HALF PRICE!
*Limit of 2 per customer

Grab lunch, dinner, or both and enjoy a delicious Tuesday deal! 😋

*Excludes gluten free
*Excludes online orders

Time for One More Schooner Challenge Tonight

Posted on by Pat D

As I have noted previously we try to get out for the weekly Schooner Challenge through Maritime Heritage Charters held most Tuesdays throughout the summer. Last week was no exception. Each experience is unique as the passengers are part of a “lesson plan” for the program apprentices. At least one more Challenge is scheduled for tonight (weather permitting of course) so it’s a good time to plan to come along. AND there are Tuesday discounts offered, so it’s a win-win. See you out there!

City of Gloucester Summer Bash

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Don’t miss out on the Summer Bash!

Thursday, August 27th at Burnham’s Field join us for a morning of free entertainment as we wrap up the summer break! From 9:30AM – 12:00PM there will be sports, arts and crafts, a bounce house and obstacle course, and of course some pizza and ice cream.

We’d love to see you there!

The Great Elephant Migration

Posted on by Donna Ardizzoni

We went down to Boston on Sunday to see the Great Elephant Migration.  They are amazing.  As you walk down Commonwealth Avenue, the size of these elephants can be seen from a block away.  There are 100 elephants of all sizes.  Even though it was a little rainy, there were lots of visitors admiring these elephants.

https://thegreatelephantmigration.org/pages/visit

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro
MEWS AND PUPDATES | AUGUST 2026DONATE | TRIBUTES | DOGS  | CATS  | EVENTS | CAAA MERCH
Happy Tails to Remy and all of our other animals who found their forever homes last month!
“He is doing wonderfully – healthy, growing bigger everyday, and just the sweetest and funniest little guy. We’re obsessed with him and he’s very spoiled for toys and adoring fans.”
 
ADORABLE ADOPTABLES
ADORABLE ADOPTABLES

MEET LIBERTYLiberty, an 8-month-old pup from Puerto Rico is a sweet but shy girl looking for a patient family willing to give her time and space to build confidence at her own pace.
Liberty feels happiest around other dogs, who help her feel safe and confident. She loves to play, explore, and learn from her canine friends, so another dog in the home would be a wonderful fit! She’s still learning the basics, including leash walking, and will need gentle guidance as she adjusts.
Because of her sensitive nature, Liberty would do best in a quiet home without young children. With patience, stability, and a furry friend by her side, this shy girl has so much potential to blossom!
MEET STORMY GEORGIAMeet Stormy Georgia, a sweet and affectionate 2-year-old from Georgia. This lovable girl enjoys lounging in sunny windows, making biscuits on cozy blankets, and greeting everyone she meets. After raising a litter of kittens, Stormy is ready for a quieter life where she can relax and soak up all the love she deserves.
Stormy is the perfect mix of independent and affectionate. She’s happy to do her own thing but also loves being near her people and would gladly spend her days lounging on the couch or following you around the house.
A calm, loving home would be the perfect fit for this easygoing girl!
MEET LIBERTYMEET STORMY GEORGIA
PAW-SOME NEWS
NAME YOUR PRICE AND CLEAR THE SHELTER!
August is Clear the Shelters Month, and we’re celebrating by helping more of our deserving animals find their forever homes! More than 30 adult, special needs, and extended-stay animals are included in our special August promotion, with “Name Your Price” adoption fees for select animals. That means you choose what you’d like to pay—and we’ll honor it!
We’re also adding extra support to help these adoptions get off to the best possible start. All dogs included in the promotion will go home with a $200 training reimbursement plus six months of flea, tick, and heart worm prevention. And our special-needs kitty London will receive one year of insulin provided by the shelter, along with a $200 reimbursement toward veterinary care related to his diabetes.
The animals featured here are just a few of the pets included in the promotion! Visit our website to see all of the “Name Your Price” animals and find their promotion details in their bios. Let’s make August the month these wonderful animals find the loving homes they’ve been waiting for!
Not looking to adopt right now? Make a donation to help waive fees and add extras for these animals to find loving homes!
DONATE
 
Meet Sky, a beautiful 1½-year-old girl with endless energy and a love for adventure! She would thrive with an active family who can keep up with her playful spirit through hikes, walks, games, and plenty of fun before settling in for cuddles. Sky would do best as the only dog in the home and would prefer a home without young children, as she can get a little mouthy when excited. With continued positive reinforcement and a loving family, Sky will make a loyal, fun-loving companion who’s always ready for the next adventure!
WATCH SKYMEET SKY

GMGI’s Annual Byrnes Lecture: Oceans (and the Creatures in Them) Are Our Future

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 ~ Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute ~ 

Please join us on Thursday, September 24th, as we welcome Mandë Holford, Ph.D., for our annual Byrnes Lecture!

Dr. Holford will highlight how venomous marine animals are inspiring the next generation of scientific and medical breakthroughs, and how these discoveries are changing the way we think about the connection between people and the natural world.

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Doors for this event open at 5:30pm, with the lecture beginning promptly at 6:00pm

Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, MA

Click here link in our bio for more information and to register! This is a free event.

This is GMGI’s Annual Byrnes Lecture, honoring longtime GMGI and community supporter John Byrnes. As a resident of Cape Ann for over 20 years, he was an integral part of the community, providing advice and generous philanthropic support to GMGI and many other organizations.

GMGI’s Annual Byrnes Lecture: Oceans (and the Creatures in Them) Are Our Future

Surfside Subs MONDAY MADNESS IS HERE! 🔥

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

Start your week with TWO awesome deals! 🙌🍕🦞

🦞 $13.99 + tax Lobster Roll
Served with chips & pickles!

🍕 Buy any 16” pizza and get a second 16” HALF PRICE!
Limit 2 per customer

Grab lunch, dinner, or both and make Monday a little better! 😋

📍 Surfside Subs / Killa Pizza — Long Beach, Gloucester

Excludes gluten free
Excludes online orders

The Silent Healing Power Of Horses

Posted on by Joey Ciaramitaro

 by Angel Wings Wellness

Grounding and Nervous System Healing

Spending time with horses has a calming effect on the nervous system. The rhythm of their movement, the warmth of their presence, and the quiet of the barn or pasture all contribute to a sense of grounding.

For people dealing with stress, burnout, anxiety, or trauma, this can be incredibly restorative. Being outdoors, engaging the senses, and connecting with a large, gentle animal creates a safe space where the body can begin to unwind.

You don’t have to “do” anything complicated. Simply standing beside a horse, brushing them, or walking together can shift your entire state.

Building Trust and Boundaries

Horses are honest communicators. They won’t respond to force or inconsistency, but they will respond to clarity and calm leadership. This makes them powerful teachers when it comes to boundaries and trust.

Through guided equine wellness sessions, people learn how to:

  • Set clear, respectful boundaries
  • Communicate without words
  • Develop confidence and self-trust
  • Stay present in the moment

These are skills that translate directly into everyday life—relationships, parenting, work, and personal wellbeing.

Book your session today by calling/texting 978-985-4592

Visit our Website @ PeaceLoveHorse.com

The Silent Healing Power Of Horses