Tuesday, May 19, 2026

30-DAY COUNTDOWN TO SAIL250® VIRGINIA

THE WORLD’S FLEET ARRIVES JUNE 19, 2026

NORFOLK, VA (May 19, 2026) The world’s fleet is coming! Are you ready?

Norfolk’s moment on the national stage as host port for Sail250® Virginia, June 19 to 23, 2026, is just 30 days away.

“One month from today, as the Navy’s Blue Angels fly overhead, the Commonwealth’s signature Semisesquicentennial commemoration will launch the grandest Parade of Sail ever seen in Hampton Roads,” said President & CEO Karen Scherberger. “This once-in-a-lifetime event unites America’s 250th birthday observance, the Juneteenth National Holiday celebration, and the 50th Anniversary of Norfolk Harborfest.”

Start making your plans now to visit international tall ships, military ships, historic and character vessels in Norfolk and Affiliate Harbors in Virginia Beach, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth for this multi-day waterfront festival, and enjoy the FREE sights, sounds, fireworks, concerts, and educational programming.

Check the Sail250® Virginia website home page for schedule updates and the very latest news, transportation, parking, and other information: www.sail250virginia.com.

Sail250® Virginia in Norfolk is part of the United States’ national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, along with other official partner ports – New Orleans, Baltimore, New York, and Boston. Ship visits and special events in Norfolk, June 19–23, 2026, will culminate a two-week, multi-port regional extravaganza that began at Sail Virginia℠ Affiliate Harbors — Alexandria, Hampton, Onancock, Richmond, Yorktown, and Smithfield/Isle of Wight earlier, June 12–14, 2026.

Sail250® Virginia in Norfolk, June 19–23, 2026, features:

The 26‑nautical‑mile Parade of Sail with 15 public viewing sites along the route from Virginia Beach Lynnhaven Anchorage off Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, to docking locations in Norfolk, (additional locations in Portsmouth, Cape Charles, and Chesapeake.)
More than 6.5 miles of continuous waterfront access and 12 tall ship docking locations in downtown Norfolk.
Four days of ship tours, international crew events, maritime exhibitions, and waterfront activities, concerts, fireworks (Friday, June 19 and Saturday, June 20, 2026), Juneteenth Celebrations, and Norfolk Harborfest festival activities—all free and open to the public.
US Navy international FLEETEX 250 international military ship visits, Norfolk Naval Base, June 20 – 21, 2026.

Sail250® Virginia support includes:

In Partnership with VA250.

Sponsors: Virginia is for Lovers, The City of Norfolk, Sentara, TowneBank, W.F. Magann Corporation, Crofton, E. G. Middleton, Inc., Dominion Enterprises, McLeskey, VIGOR Marine | MHI Norfolk, The Port of Virginia, Dominion Energy, Robbins Maritime, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, Fairlead, Light Tech, Inc., Colliers, Virginia Pilot Association, Nauticus, Carnival Cruise Line, ICON, Colonna’s, Inc., Perry Family Foundation, Hilton Norfolk The Main, Visit Norfolk, City Cruises, BAE Systems, Coastal Precast Systems, LLC, Elizabeth River Concrete, S. B. Ballard, Bay Power Solutions, Caligari Gerloff Painting Inc., STIHL, Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Rivers Casino Portsmouth, Navy League of Hampton Roads, City of Virginia Beach, Bruce Bishop, Decker Law, Sherwin Williams, Centennial, Schaubach Fund/Suffolk Foundation, Town Point Club, New Journal & Guide, 13News Now, WAVY TV 10. Produced by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd.

WHRO Official Education Media Partner.

Hilton Norfolk The Main – HQ Hotel.

About Sail250® Virginia

Sail250® Virginia, hosted by the City of Norfolk, is part of the United States’ national commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. This signature event is planned as the largest public event in the Commonwealth for the 250th. Scheduled June 12- 23, 2026, the event will bring a fleet of international tall ships, military ships, historic and character vessels to Norfolk (June 19 – 22, 2026) and Affiliate Harbors (June 12 – 21, 2026) in the Chesapeake Bay Region for multi-day waterfront festivals, featuring ship tours, fireworks, concerts, and educational programming. Sail250® Virginia will showcase Virginia's role as a maritime gateway to the world, bringing together participants and visitors from around the globe.

For more details, visit www.sail250virginia.com, Facebook, and Instagram

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