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Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA

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Galveston Historic Seaport - Home of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON: An Event Guide

Have you ever dreamed of sailing away on an old-fashioned tall ship? Or perhaps enjoying the sunset aboard the deck of a historic vessel? Then, the Tall Ships Galveston festival is the maritime event you don't want to miss!

Docking at Galveston Island, this nautical event invites landlubbers to climb aboard a collection of vessels, including historic tall ships and modern replicas. The ships dock for a weekend of fun events in Galveston, which include boat parades, tall ship tours, live entertainment, and evening soirees on the harbor.

Grab a ticket and book a stay at one of our Galveston vacation rentals to experience the nautical side of the island's activities.

The History of the Tall Ships Festival

The TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival is one of the events that make up the TALL SHIPS® CHALLENGE Gulf Coast series put on by TALL SHIPS® AMERICA.

During the event, a fleet of ships will make their way to the Galveston Historic Seaport for a weekend of boat tours, sailing trips, evening parties, music, and entertainment at the landside festival grounds.

The TALL SHIPS® CHALLENGE series has captivated audiences since 2001 when ships from six countries first set sail on the Great Lakes. Spanning two nations and dozens of cities over its 19-year history, the event brings millions of visitors to the waterfronts that host the tall ships.

Galveston is honored to be one of the host communities of these stunning ships. The Galveston stop is a great weekend activity to plan a vacation around, as it's certainly one of the best times to visit .

Festival Guide

We've created a guide to everything you need to know to get the most out of the TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival. From location to events, we've got you covered.

The event takes place at the Galveston Historic Seaport on the Galveston Channel. The port is the home base of the 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA and is just steps away from all the shopping and dining options in Galveston's Downtown Strand Historic District.

There are paid parking lots available along the Port of Galveston and the Strand Historic District , just a few blocks away.

Prohibited Items

There are a few things you should leave behind at your vacation rental.

• Ice chests, glass containers, cans, and outside food and drink are not allowed on the festival grounds.
• Recreational wheels, including scooters, rollerblades, and bicycles, are prohibited.
• Strollers are fine to use on the grounds but not on the ships.
• Guests dressed in costume with toy weapons and props will have to go through extra security and have their items secured.

TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON Activities

While the ships are the main point of interest, the TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival also brings plenty of fun family activities.

Take a Ship Tour

One of the most exciting parts of the festival is the chance to hop aboard the ships for tours.

Each participating ship offers educational programs and a tour of the vessel. Some boats date to the 19th century, while others are more modern. During the tour, you'll get to see the inner workings of different types of tall ships and view exhibits about them on the docks.

For these tours, you'll need a special ship access ticket, which also includes fairground admission.

Tip: The boats are not handicapped or stroller accessible, but the piers are.

Explore the Festival Grounds

While the TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival is all about the glorious ships, the fun doesn't stop when you disembark from the deck. The festival grounds at Pier 21 also play host to an array of activities and entertainment in view of the ships docked in the harbor.

You can listen to live music during the event, shop for locally-made crafts and souvenirs, and sample local cuisine from food trucks . Your ticket allows all-day access to the grounds, so you can spend as much time here as you like to soak up the festive sights, sounds, and tastes.

Take a Sailing Excursion

If you want to spend a little more time aboard the tall ships than the tours allow, there are additional special events you can sign up for, like a sailing excursion.

The first sailing opportunity is during the festival opening for the Parade of Sail . With a reservation and ticket, you can hop aboard one of the participating ships to sail along the coastline of Galveston and kick off this unique island event.

During the TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival, some vessels offer day and evening sailing excursions to get up close and personal with what it's like aboard a tall ship. On the excursion, you'll float around Galveston Bay with the wind in your hair and the sails hoisted above. The outings typically last 1.5 to 2 hours and are not included in the general admission ticket.

For a different sort of view, you can also book a spot on the boat rides offered by the Galveston Historical Foundation to see the ships from the water. These tours leave from Galveston Harbor by pontoon boat. The water offers a great vantage point to view the tall ships lined up in all their glory.

Enjoy a Salute to Sunset Party

While there are plenty of good options to watch the sunset on Galveston Island , the Salute to Sunset Party offers one of the best.

While most of the Tall Ships events take place during the day, you can keep the festivities going by signing up for one of the Salute to Sunset parties. These docked, evening gatherings take place on board one of the participating ships around twilight.

On board the tall ships, guests will be treated to complimentary drinks and hors d'oeuvres while watching the sun go down, and the sky turn pink over the water.

Tip: You'll need a separate reservation and ticket to attend this event.

2023 TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON Festival

The 2023 festival is not far away! Here are all the details for this year's festival.

The festival will run from Friday, April 13, to Sunday, April 16, 2023 . Ship tours and most activities take place between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m . The final ship tours each day start at 5 p.m.

General Admission

General admission allows entry to the grounds during the event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m . The admission cost is $15 for adults and $10 for kids aged 7 to 12. Children 6 and under are free.

Boarding and Admission

The second ticket type includes admission and entrance onto each tall ship at the festival for a tour. This option is $25 for teens and adults and $15 for kids .

A special Fast Pass ticket option allows guests to skip the general boarding line for boat tours, costing $75 for adults and $25 for kids .

Notes on admission:

• All tickets are good for a single day during the festival and can be booked ahead online .
• You must select which day you plan to visit while purchasing the tickets.
• Tickets are nonrefundable, and the festival will take place even if it rains.
• Special activities like the Salute to Sunset parties carry an additional charge.

Participating Ships

The Galveston festival will feature five visiting ships and one with a home base in Galveston (1877 Tall Ship ELISSA). All masted boats will be open for tours during the event, and you can also see them and chat with the crews on the festival grounds.

1877 Tall Ship ELISSA

The 1877 Tall Ship ELISSA docks at Pier 21 in Galveston and is a National Historic Landmark as well as the Official Tall Ship of Texas. The Galveston Historical Foundation purchased the vessel from a scrapyard in Greece in the 1970s and restored it into a floating museum.

The ship docks at the Galveston Historic Seaport and welcomes visitors for self-guided tours at the Texas Seaport Museum throughout the year.

Visiting ships in 2023

The guest ships that will be docking in Galveston this year include:

• The 1 894 Ernestina-Morrissey from Massachusetts.
• The replica Biloxi schooner Glenn L. Swetman from Mississippi.
• The Nao Trinidad from Huelva, Spain.
• The ambassador ship, Pride of Baltimore II, from Maryland.
• The When and If , a 1939 yacht from Key West, Florida.

Stay in Galveston and Enjoy the Tall Ship Festival

If you've ever dreamed of being a pirate or sailing along the coast under the swaying sails of a massive sea vessel, the TALL SHIPS® GALVESTON festival is the event of a lifetime.

Our breezy Galveston vacation rentals make the perfect base for your visit to the nautical fete and the beaches of Galveston Island.

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Explore Galveston Island

April 13-16, 2023

Tall ships challenge, annual tall ships challenge and festival coming to galveston island.

Join us on Galveston Island April 13-16, 2023, for the annual Tall Ships Challenge, a three-day maritime festival celebrating the beautiful tall ships with food, music, sail-away excursions, and numerous special events all in a family friendly environment. This friendly competition spans the Gulf Coast, starting in St. Petersburg, Florida, heading to Galveston, Texas, then on to Pensacola, Florida. 2018 was Galveston’s first time hosting the challenge and we have our very own Tall Ship Elissa joining the challenge. 

Have you ever wanted to join a team on a tall ship, race across the Gulf, and live an adventure of a lifetime? There are over 100 Tall Ships America Member Vessels . Most of the ships in the challenge allow you to join the crew and be a real part of the adventure. You will be a paying passenger, but you will stand watch, help haul lines, do maintenance, and help navigate. There is no experience required and training happens while under sail. Visit Tall Ships America to find out more about joining a team!

What is a Tall Ship?

So, you may be asking, what exactly IS a Tall Ship? How is a Tall Ship Classified? How do you measure a Tall Ship? With these questions we turn to Sail Training International for a deeper look into how a ship becomes a Tall Ship. For the purpose of these races the ships, or vessels, are divided into four classes, which all use the overall length of the vessel, LOA, as a basis, along with the LWL, or waterline length. 

The waterline length, simply put, is a line on the side, hull, of the ship that denotes how much cargo can be loaded onto the ship. The overall length is measured on the centerline of the vessel from front to back. STI breaks these down into two basic groups, those over 24 metres LOA using square rigging, plus all other vessels more than 40 metres LOA regardless of rig. This may seem like a lot, but it’s more like boxing. You have heavyweights, big, bigger, and biggest all grouped together. Then they break down all the smaller ones. Class A are the heavyweights.

Then comes Classes B, C, and D. They are mostly broken down by rigging, and instead of diving too deeply into each rigging, what they are called, and what they look like, suffice it to say, they’re all cool-looking ships. The rigging comes in all different sizes, configurations, number of masts (the vertical pole that supports the sail), etc. Rigs can have up to seven masts…Wow!! That’s a lot of material and a lot of rope.

R/V Weatherbird II

Basically, a Tall Ship does not have a minimum height requirement, and some have sails that tower almost 300 feet in the air. Participating in this year’s challenge is a ship that is not powered by sail and is certainly a heavyweight. The R/V Weatherbird II is operated out of Saint Petersburg, Florida and is a Research Vessel (R/V) used by the Florida Institute of Oceanography for Marine Science, Marine Environment and Ecology. It was launched in 1982 and is the flagship of the FIO fleet. One of the goals of the Tall Ship Challenge is to not only delight the fans, but also educate them on history and what we can do to better our future and that of the planet. Learn more about the RV Weatherbird II .

Who is Competing?

There are eight Tall Ships participating in this year’s Tall Ships Challenge. They are as follows and in no particular order:

Tall Ship Elissa

The Tall Ship Elissa, docked right here in Galveston, TX, is cared for by the Galveston Historical Foundation and is sailed by youth and adults. She was launched in 1877 and is the oldest tall ship participating in the annual challenge this year. She has an iron hull and is 99 feet 9 inches tall. Restoration began in 1978 and by 1982 she was a sailing museum. 

Ernestina-Morrissey

Ernestina-Morrissey is based out of New Bedford Massachusetts, has a wood hull, and a rig height of 115 feet. She first launched in 1894 and was used as a survey/supply vessel during WWII. She is certified as a Sailing School Vessel, Passenger Vessel, Near Coastal, and Ocean ship. Contact the Massachusetts Maritime Academy for more information .

When and If

When and If is based in Key West, Florida, was launched in 1939 and intended to be sailed by George Patton and his wife Bea. Today it is used for sail training, taking on apprentices throughout its journey and donating portions of its proceeds to a sailing scholarship program. You can learn more about the When and If here .

Suncoast Horizon

Suncoast Horizon is a schooner based out of Saint Petersburg, Florida, has a steel hull, and is 47 feet tall. She was previously sailed by the famous “Captain Kidd” in Galveston, TX and was used in several travel magazines and commercials. She can hold up to 28 passengers but for comfort they limit their capacity to around 21. Learn more about Suncoast Horizon .

Pride of Baltimore

The Pride of Baltimore is a wood hull ship commissioned in 1988 designed like an 1812-era Baltimore Clipper. Her mission is to educate the public on Maryland’s maritime history, tradition, and commerce opportunities. If you want to be part of her “working guest crew” between ports of call, then you’re in luck. She is operated by the nonprofit organization Pride of Baltimore. Learn more about Pride of Baltimore II .

NAO Trinidad

The NAO Trinidad is another wood hull ship and probably one of the most recognizable by anyone who studied the history of North America or Spain. It launched in 2018 and is a replica of the ship The Nina used to sail to the new world by Christopher Columbus. It was the largest of the three and referred to as “nao” in the diaries of her expeditions. Lean more about the NAO Trinidad .

Jolly II Rover

Launched in 1994 the Jolly II Rover sails from Key West, Florida, originating in Ft Myers, Florida. She is 80 feet tall and takes you back to an era of pirates, rum runners, and privateers. You can bask in the beauty of a Key West sunset during a 2 hour sunset sail and sail past the Mallory Square Sunset Celebration. Discover a view like no other. Learn more about the Jolly II Rover .

Glenn L. Swetman

Dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Glenn L. Swetman is a replica of and pays tribute to the oyster schooners of a bygone era. Built in 1989 she spends her time educating young and old through the Maritime & Seafood Ind. Museum in Biloxi, Mississippi. She is available for day sailing or charter, and is something special for those who have the chance to sail under her. Learn more about the Glenn L. Swetman .

Join Us In Galveston

Ultimately we hope you can join us here in Galveston or at another port of call to experience the beauty and majesty of these Tall Ships. Each has a character of their own, telling a story woven together like the halyard and downhaul. Cast off the docklines, grab the main halyard, hoist the mainsail, and set sail on an adventure under wind powered sails. If you and need a place to stay you can find a hotel through StayGalveston.com . We hope you will join us in Galveston this year for a wonderful time at the Annual Tall Ships Challenge .

Schedule of Events:

Thursday april 13, 2023.

12:30PM Parade of Sail – Ships muster at start line off East Beach

1:00PM – Parade of Sail begins with ships traveling west down Seawall Blvd

2:00PM – Ships turn around near 35 th and Seawall Blvd

3:00PM – Parade of Sail ands back at East Beach

Friday April 14, 2023

10:00AM-6:00 PM – Tall Ships Festival

7:00PM – Salute to Sunset Party (Tickets Required)

7:30PM – Movie Night on the Pier: Muppet Treasure Island – (Free Admission – No Ships Tours)

Saturday April 15, 2023

10:00AM-6:00PM – Tall Ships Festival

7:30PM – Movie Night on the Pier: Master & Commander – (Free Admission – No Ships Tours)

Sunday April 16, 2023

7:30PM – Movie Night on the Pier: Captains Courageous – (Free Admission – No Ships Tours)

Find Other Great Things To Do In Galveston

When you visit Galveston there is so much to do. We do hope you come for the Tall Ships Challenge and while you’re here explore Galveston and all the island has to offer. Find What To Do , Attractions , Bars & Pubs , Restaurants , Nightlife , Places to Stay , Beautiful Beaches , and much more at StayGalveston.com . We look forward to seeing you here.

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Spanish tall ship Nao Santa Maria on display in Galveston

The nao santa maria is a replica of the flagship of christopher columbus' fleet..

Representing centuries of high-seas adventure, the Spanish tall ship Nao Santa Maria has docked in Galveston for the next week or so.

The ship, a replica of the flagship of Christopher Columbus’ fleet that sailed to North America in 1492, was built in 2018 by the Nao Victoria Foundation, a Spanish nonprofit organization that recreates historic ships and sails them around the world.

The foundation’s El Galeon, a recreation of a 17th-century Galleon — sturdy trade vessels that plied the seas for more than 300 years — visited Galveston in 2017 and was a big hit.

“Both those ships are familiar ships on the tall-ship festival circuit, for lack of a better term,” says Will Wright, the Galveston Historical Foundation’s chief creative officer. “We’re familiar with the ship, they’re familiar with us, and ultimately it just happened to be in their route. They were looking at a place to visit coming through the Panama Canal, and Galveston worked really well.”

The Nao Santa Maria, which arrived in Galveston on Tuesday night, is docked near the island’s own tall ship, the 1877 Elissa, just off Pier 21. The ship cleared customs on Thursday, and the Galveston Historical Foundation will be offering tours of the Nao Santa Maria and Elissa between Saturday morning through May 2.

When : 10 a.m.-5 p.m. April 24-May 2

Where : Pier 21, 2100 Harborside Dr., Galveston

Details : $20 (both ships); $10 (per ship)

The tours are largely self-guided, Wright says, and visitors will be allowed to explore pretty much the entire Santa Maria. Tickets are $20 for both ships or $10 for one.

“I laughed that, you know, we’re getting ready for our homes tour,” Wright says. “People want to come inside to see how people live and what people do, and this isn’t much different. It’s just a different kind of home.”

According to Wright, the two ships cut a striking profile together.

“With these two ships being 300, 400 years apart in style, it’s just interesting,” he says. “I guess some people could say it’s like looking at a Model T and a ‘60s Corvette. I don’t know, but there’s some fun juxtapositions between the two.”

The original Santa Maria boasted two house-like structures, the forecastle and sterncastle; three masts; four muzzle-loading cannons called bombards; and a crew of roughly 40 sailors. It was around 120 feet long; the 2018 ship clocks in at just under 100, Wright says.

The ship reached the New World nearly five months after sailing, but only after a mutiny nearly derailed the mission. Its voyage ended when it ran aground after striking a sandbar off the coast of Hispaniola, or present-day Haiti. Much of the wood was recovered to build Fort Navidad, so named because the ship was lost on Christmas Day.

This month has been a busy one around Galveston’s harbor. Last week Elissa concluded its annual day-sailing series, its first time on the open water in two years. Wright happened to be on the beach when Elissa sailed by the Pleasure Pier, and was struck by the delighted reactions he saw on people’s faces.

“You just don’t see those things happen anymore,” he says. “[When] you see vessels that actually sail and are not just floating museums that don’t go anywhere, there’s a childlike connection to it.

“There’s a theatrical presence to it,” adds Wright. “It touches on a lot of things I don’t think people get to experience very often.”

Chris Gray is a Galveston-based writer.

Historic vessels sail into Gulf of Mexico, including Elissa, the official Tall Ship of Texas

HOUSTON, Texas -- As noted boatsman (and occasional musician) Christopher Cross famously noted in "Sailing," his light rock masterpiece, "the canvas can do miracles."

Locals can take in a bit of that miracle working this weekend with the arrival of a famed festival.

The 2023 Tall Ships Galveston festival docks at the island this weekend at the historic waterfront area from Thursday, April 13 though Sunday, April 16. As the name implies, the event sees an impressive fleet and array of tall ships raving and cruising into Gulf waters as part of Tall Ships America's Challenge series , which also includes stops in Florida ports St. Petersburg and Pensacola this year.

Aside from taking in the spectacle of stunning and towering watercraft, visitors can look forward to ship tours and sailing excursions, music, food and drink, and more family-friendly special events at Galveston's Pier 21 and surrounding areas. Performer schedules can be found here .

For the full story on these amazing ships, visit our partners at CultureMap Houston.

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Specifications

Homeport of elissa.

• Rig: Barque
• Sparred Length: 162
• Draft: 10’6″
• Beam: 28′

Organization: Galveston Historical Foundation

Galveston Historical Foundation brought ELISSA, an 1877 square-rigged iron barque, from a scrap yard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece to Galveston to begin restoration work in 1978. By 1982, GHF staff and volunteers completed restoration and transformed this rare, historic vessel into a floating museum that would actively sail. Today, ELISSA is one of only three ships of her kind in the world to still actively sail and welcomes over 40,000 visitors annually. She also serves as the Official Tall Ship of Texas, a National Historic Landmark and a symbol of the Gulf Coast’s historic beginnings as a sea port and active waterfront.

• Who Sails: Youth, Adults
• Program Type: Sail Training, Dockside Interpretation
• Year Launched: 1877
• Website: https://www.galvestonhistory.org/

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WEATHER ALERT

4 warnings and 6 advisories in effect for 19 regions in the area

Ahoy me mateys: history comes alive as tall ships galveston festival makes triumphant return to island this week⚓.

Cynthia Miranda , Digital Content Producer

GALVESTON COUNTY, Texas – Houstonians can attend the Tall Ships Galveston festival this week to get up close and personal with historical vessels and learn more about them.

The event will start with the Parade of Sail on April 13, which will give people a chance to get a glimpse of the tall ships that will sail down Seawall Boulevard in Galveston. The ships will be near the Seawall for about two hours before docking at Galveston Bay.

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The expected start time is 1 p.m., and the ships will move west on Seawall Boulevard. The event will end at East Beach. The festival will run from April 13-16.

People will also be able to get tours of the ships and participate in other activities. There will be sail-away excursions, food and music.

Organizers expect about 50,000 people to attend the event. The Galveston Historical Foundation helps put on the festival.

What ships can you visit?

1877 elissa.

Elissa was taken from a scrapyard in Piraeus Harbor, Greece and brought to Galveston in 1978 so the ship could get a makeover. There are only two other ships in the world like Elissa that still can sail.

Ernestina-Morrissey – built in 1894

The ship was created in 1894 at the James and Tarr Shipyard to join the Gloucester, Massachusetts, fishing fleet. The vessel was taken on an expedition and was 600 miles away from the North Pole.

Glen L. Swetman – built in 1989

This ship is a 65-foot two-masted Biloxi Oyster Schooner that was referred to as a “white winged queen.” These types of vessels were used in the late 1800s and into the start of the 1900s.

Nao Trinidad – built in 2016

This ship was built in Punta Umbría, Spain, and is part of the Nao Victoria Foundation nonprofit, which focuses on educating people about history. The Nao Trinidad is typically docked in Huelva, Spain, when it is not traveling.

Pride of Baltimore II – built in 1987

This ship was constructed in Baltimore. She has stopped at over 200 ports in North and South America, Europe, Asia and more.

When and If - built in 1939

General George S. Patton wanted this boat to built for him for “when the war is over, and if I live through it, Bea and I are going to sail her around the world.” The ship was supposed to be luxurious and built for racing.

Thomas Jefferson – built in 1991

This ship was a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hydrographic survey vessel that was used until 2003. The ship was created to support the United States Navy and was originally known as USNS Littlehales (T-AGS-52).

How much are tickets?

Boarding and admission prices

• Adult – $30
• Adult Fast Pass – $80
• Youth (7-12) – $20
• Youth (7-12) Fast Pass – $35
• Children 6 & Under – Free

Admission prices (doesn’t include boarding)

• Adult – $20
• Youth (7-12) – $15

For more information, go here.

Copyright 2023 by KPRC Click2Houston - All rights reserved.

About the Author

Cynthia miranda.

Cynthia Miranda graduated from UT Austin and is a proud Houstonian. She is passionate about covering breaking news and community stories. Cynthia previously covered elections, the historic 2021 Texas winter storm, and other news in East Texas. In addition to writing, she also loves going to concerts, watching movies, and cooking with her family.

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Coast Guard Cutter Eagle to arrive for first ever visit to Galveston, Texas

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, “America’s Tall Ship,” is scheduled to arrive in Galveston, Texas, for the first time ever on June 10, 2022.

After leading a Parade of Sail comprising Coast Guard and port partner vessels, Eagle will moor at Pier 21 in Galveston June 10-13 and will be open for free public tours on the following dates and times: Friday, June 10: Noon – 4 p.m. Public Tours Saturday, June 11: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Military/First Responder Tours (with valid ID) 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. Public Tours Sunday, June 12: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Military/First Responder Tours (with valid ID) 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Public Tours At 295 feet in length, Eagle is the largest tall ship flying the stars and stripes and the only active square-rigger in United States government service. Eagle has served as a classroom at sea to future Coast Guard officers since 1946, offering an at-sea leadership and professional development experience as part of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy curriculum. This summer, Coast Guard Academy Cadets completed a transatlantic voyage and experienced port calls in Azores, Iceland, and Bermuda. Eagle is a three-masted barque with more than 22,300 square feet of sail and 6 miles of rigging. The cutter was constructed in 1936 by the Blohm and Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany. Originally commissioned as the Horst Wessel by the German navy, Eagle was a war reparation for the United States following World War II. For more information about Eagle, including port cities, tour schedules, and current events, follow the "United States Coast Guard Barque EAGLE" Facebook page or on Instagram @barqueeagle. All U.S. Coast Guard imagery is in the public domain and is encouraged to be shared widely.

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Tall Ships® Galveston Parade of Sail

This parade will exhibit the beautiful tall ships right off the famous beaches of Galveston. This is something every person can enjoy from the seawall or the restaurants lining the coast. After maneuvering in a 2 hour loop, the fleet will take in sail and head into Galveston Bay for docking.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

CLICK HERE FOR VESSEL SAFETY ZONE INFORMATION.

THURSDAY, APRIL 13, 2023

• 12:30 p.m. – Ships muster at start line off of East Beach
• 1 p.m. – Parade of sail begins with ships traveling west down Seawall
• 2 p.m. – Ships turn around near 35th and Seawall
• 3 p.m. – Parade of sail ends back at East Beach

CLICK HERE FOR FRIDAY-SUNDAY FESTIVAL INFORMATION AND TICKETS.

Please note: These times are approximate and subject to variability based on weather, wind, and other factors. Any private vessels who plan to be in the area for the event are required to notify the parade marshal at [email protected] . Vessels will travel at a speed of 6 knots, following the TALL SHIP ELISSA, and will be spaced approximately 500 yards apart. Communication will be on channel 68 for all vessels.

OFFICIAL PARADE VIEWING PARTY LOCATIONS

Join #GalvestonHistory at one of our partner locations for your chance to win tickets, prizes, and more all while enjoying a great location for the visiting ships as they parade down Seawall Boulevard.

More locations coming soon!

ABOUT GALVESTON HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

Galveston Historical Foundation (GHF) was formed as the Galveston Historical Society in 1871 and merged with a new organization formed in 1954 as a non-profit entity devoted to historic preservation and history in Galveston County. Over the last sixty years, GHF has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation, coastal resiliency and stewardship of historic properties. GHF embraces a broader vision of history and architecture that encompasses advancements in environmental and natural sciences and their intersection with historic buildings and coastal life and conceives of history as an engaging story of individual lives and experiences on Galveston Island from the 19th century to the present day.

This article lists the times, but not the date. What date is the Parade of Sail?

The Parade of Sail will be held on Thursday, April 13.

How do I notify the marshal about allowing my private boat to be at the East Beach to view the Parade of ships?

Stan, please contact [email protected] for registration.

When are they scheduled to sail out? I can’t make it for the arrival, so hoping to see them leave. thank you.

There is not a set schedule for departures as each ship has its own schedule.

Where would be a good place to watch the parade for handicap people?

The Seawall itself is an open area with plenty of viewing locations. Numerous restaurants would have patio viewing.

Can u provide restaurants with patio viewing, please.

We will be announcing our official watch locations by April 2.

Where can you purchase tickets for The Tall Ships Festival…Thanks

https://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/tall-ships-galveston/tickets

Will it be worth it if we come Sunday? Will there be ships to see? All the sites say this event goes all weekend, but I’m only finding info for Thursday events. TIA

Please visit https://www.galvestonhistory.org/events/tall-ships-galveston/ships for festival information.

What is the schedule time on Friday?

The festival will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.

Would it be possible to push someone in a wheelchair close enough to see the ships. The information says they are not accessible to your, but would like to see them. Also what would the times be on Saturday?

Guests not going on board the ships are able to walk up next to them as they will be on the pier. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday and there are ticket options available for admission only w/o on board access.

Will ships be available for tour after they have docked on Thursday afternoon?

They will not be. Ships will be available for tours starting at 10 a.m. on Friday morning.

Where is the closest place to view the parade of ships

Anywhere along Seawall within the parade range will be great for viewing.

Will all of the ships be leaving the port in Galveston to muster at East Beach?

Douglas, they will not. Some ships will be leaving the port and some will be joining the fleet at East Beach. They will all return together to setup and prepare for the event on Friday.

Can I purchase tickets onsite or only online

Tickets will be available for purchase at the festival entrances.

Are tickets required to enter restaurants within the festival grounds Thursday night?

They are not on Thursday or Friday through Sunday after 5.

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Incorporated in 1954, Galveston Historical Foundation is one of the nation's largest local preservation organizations. Over the last 50 years, the foundation has expanded its mission to encompass community redevelopment, public education, historic preservation advocacy, maritime preservation and stewardship of historic properties.

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