U.S.
GalleryTall ships cruise into Virginia ports as part of Sail 250
Stars and Stripes
June 20, 2026
Peruvian navy tall ship BAP Unión sails past Naval Station Norfolk during the Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail, June 19, 2026. (Pierce Luck/U.S. Navy)
The tall ships of Sail 250 are cruising into Virginia ports.
Sail 250 Virginia is part of Sail 250 America, a global gathering of tall ships and military ships commemorating the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The event will continue up the coast with stops in Baltimore, New York/New Jersey and Boston.
The series made its first stop in New Orleans last month.
More than 25 international tall ships and other vessels representing 16 countries, accompanied by hundreds of recreational and military vessels, will participate. Tall ships will be docked in downtown Norfolk and 10 affiliate harbors of the Chesapeake Bay, while the military fleet will be stationed at Naval Station Norfolk.
Local events such as the Charter to Chesapeake, a parade of sail and weekend activities at the historic waterfront in Portsmouth, and ship tours at the Eastern Shore’s SailFest Cape Charles. Local events start this weekend at Hampton, Smithfield, Yorktown and the Eastern Shore.
On Friday, the Virginia celebrations in Norfolk kicked off with the Parade of Sail, composed of more than 25 international tall ships and hundreds of recreational and military vessels. On Saturday, many of those tall ships were docked in the waters adjacent to or close by Town Point Park and were open for the public to tour, and thousands of sightseers took advantage.
The Blue Angels perform a formation flyover during the Sail 250 Virginia Parade of Sails. (Greggory Fisher/U.S. Navy)
Tall ships from participating nations sail into Norfolk, Virginia, during the Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail, June 19, 2026. (Pierce Luck/U.S. Navy)
People attending the Sail 250 Virginia Parade of Sails greet the tall ships as they sail by. (Greggory Fisher/U.S. Navy)
Indian tall ship INS Sudarshini participates in the Sail 250 Virginia Parade of Sails. (Greggory Fisher/U.S. Navy)
Marines assigned to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band perform during the Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail, June 19, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle arrives in Norfolk, Va., alongside German Navy sail training vessel Gorch Fock as part of Sail 250 Virginia on June 20, 2026. (Christine Bills/U.S. Coast Guard)
Tall ships from participating nations sail past Naval Station Norfolk during the Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail, June 19, 2026. (Pierce Luck/U.S. Navy)
Members of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation fire a cannon for a passing ship during the Norfolk Harborfest Parade of Sail, June 19, 2026. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)
German tall ship Gorch Fock participates in the Sail 250 Virginia Parade of Sails. S (Greggory Fisher/U.S. Navy)
Sail 250 is a global gathering of tall ships and military ships to celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the United States. (Greggory Fisher/U.S. Navy)
Contributing: The Virginian-Pilot, Tribune News Service