MARITIME GLOUCESTER
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
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
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
The public is invited to purchase tickets aboard participating schooners.
Check various schooner websites for ticketing details
Various Departure Times
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
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
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
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
Good Morning Gloucester 