06/04/2026
There are so many ways to watch the Parade of Sail, July 23, 2026 at 7:30 PM ⚓
Gather on Peirce Island. Grab a picnic table at Buoy Shack. Watch from the waterfront as the ships round the bend of the Piscataqua… or experience it from the deck of one of these incredible vessels themselves.
This year’s featured vessel is the Tall Ship Oosterschelde, a Dutch three-masted topsail schooner launched in 1918—built during the final months of World War I to carry cargo through the North Sea, the Mediterranean, and the ports of North Africa.
A few tall ship facts to watch for during the parade:
⛵ A topsail schooner combines fore-and-aft schooner sails with square topsails for additional power offshore.
⛵ The Oosterschelde’s rig rises over 160 feet above the waterline.
⛵ Traditional schooners were designed for smaller crews, making them efficient working vessels during the great age of sail.
⛵ Portsmouth Harbor’s strong tidal currents once made expert seamanship essential for every visiting captain entering the Piscataqua.
More than a ship procession, the Parade of Sail is a living demonstration of maritime engineering, navigation, and seamanship traditions that shaped Atlantic trade for centuries.
Bring binoculars. Watch the rigging. Count the masts. Listen for the harbor salutes.
And if you want to experience the Parade of Sail aboard one of these fine ships, get your tickets here: https://loom.ly/D97kDjQ
