Wednesday, February 4, 2026

Sail250® Virginia Unveils Schedule for Historic Semiquincentennial Signature Event

Spectacular Free Events -- Parade of Sail, International Fleet Events, and Waterfront Festivals -- Set for June 2026

NORFOLK, VA (February 4, 2026) — Sail250® Virginia today announced the official schedule of free events for the Commonwealth’s largest planned commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. The 12-day international maritime festival will bring more than 60 tall ships and military vessels representing 30 countries to Norfolk, June 19-23, and 11 Affiliate Harbors across the Chesapeake Bay Region, June 12-23, 2026.

Sail250® Virginia is one of five official national partner ports — New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York, and Boston — commemorating the Semiquincentennial of the United States. The world fleet’s visit to Virginia will generate local, regional, national, and international media coverage and attract thousands of international visitors, including military and government dignitaries.

"We are creating a once-in-a-generation event and an extraordinary opportunity to honor our naval heritage, strengthen global partnerships, and welcome millions of visitors to the Commonwealth," said President & CEO Karen Scherberger. "The ships, the sailors, and the stories they carry will inspire millions. Together, we are making history again."

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE SAIL250® VIRGINIA SCHEDULE – Norfolk Host City
(Event schedules for Affiliate Harbors may be found on their websites here)
(All schedules are subject to change. Visit sail250virginia.com for the most up-to-date information.)

GATHERING OF THE WORLD FLEET – Tuesday, June 16 – Thursday, June 18, 2026

Spectators can view the fleet as it gathers in the Lynnhaven Anchorage off Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, beginning Tuesday, June 16. All ships in the Parade of Sail will be assembled by 2 p.m. on June 18. This is the only time spectators on land and water can view all the ships together at one time and in one place.

Spectacular 26-Nautical-Mile PARADE OF SAIL – Friday, June 19, 2026

The centerpiece of Sail250® Virginia will be a magnificent Parade of Sail commanded by the Virginia Pilot Association. The parade launches at 7:30 a.m. at the Lynnhaven Anchorage off Shore Drive in Virginia Beach and arrives at docking locations in downtown Norfolk and Portsmouth beginning at noon. Fifteen public viewing sites along the 26-nautical-mile route will give spectators unprecedented access to this maritime spectacle, with additional viewing locations on Hampton and Portsmouth waterfronts. The US Navy’s famed Blue Angels will conduct a flyover during the 4.5-hour Parade of Sail, at a time to be announced. (See Parade route here.)

Four Days of FREE Public Events in Downtown Norfolk – June 19-23, 2026*
(*all schedules subject to change. Visit sail250virginia.com for the updated information.)

Hours: Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20 – 12 noon to 11 p.m.
Hours: Sunday, June 21 – 12 noon to 8 p.m.; Monday, June 22 – 12 noon to 6 p.m.
10 tall ship docking locations along 5 miles of continuous waterfront access: Waterside Marina, Otter Berth, Town Point Park, Nauticus, USS Wisconsin Basin, Freemason, NOAA, Front Street, US Army Corps of Engineers.
Daily public ship tours* beginning at 3 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 19; Saturday-Sunday-Monday, June 20-22, 12 noon to 6 p.m. (*individual ship schedules subject to change.)
Interactive Education Center, Friday, June 19 to Sunday, June 21, 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Nauticus Outdoor Pavilion.
Concerts and live entertainment, Friday, June 19 to Monday, June 22
Fireworks on the Elizabeth River, Friday, June 19, and Saturday, June 20, at 9:30 p.m.
Juneteenth National Holiday celebrations on June 19
50th annual Norfolk Harborfest festival activities, Friday, June 19 to Monday, June 22
Fleet departs for Baltimore, Tuesday a.m., June 23
All events are FREE and open to the public

FLEETEX 250 International Military Ships - Norfolk

Coinciding with Sail250® Virginia, the U.S. Navy will host FLEETEX 250, with allied and partner military ships from approximately 20 countries berthed at Norfolk Naval Base in preparation for the International Naval Review in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026.

International Crew Events and Cultural Exchange

More than 14,000 international officers, cadets, and crew members will participate in Sail250® Virginia and FLEETEX 250. Scheduled events include:

Sail250® Virginia International Soccer Tournament at Cutter Field, NSA Hampton Roads (Saturday, June 20 – Sunday, June 21, 2026)
Parade of Cadets with units from all visiting ships in downtown Norfolk on Sunday, June 21, 2026,11 a.m. to noon.

International Fleet Arrives Across 12 Virginia Localities

All told, 34 tall ships will comprise the fleet of vessels attending 63 ships from approximately 20 countries, including

(confirmed at this time, but subject to change), Sail250® Virginia and FLEETEX 250.

Historic vessels will arrive at Sail VirginiaSM Affiliate Harbors from June 12-14, 2026, including Alexandria, Hampton, Onancock, Richmond, Yorktown, and Smithfield/Isle of Wight, followed by additional ship visits and events June 18-23, 2026, in Virginia Beach, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth. Norfolk hosts the international fleet along the Elizabeth River downtown waterfront June 19-23, 2026.

The fleet departs for Baltimore on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with select ships beginning their departure on the evening of June 22, 2026. Northern Neck communities will have the opportunity to see ships headed to Baltimore throughout the day from recreational and charter vessels operating in the Chesapeake Bay from both the eastern and western shores.

UNPRECEDENTED STATEWIDE PARTICIPATION AND IMPACT

Sail250® Virginia represents 100 percent regional cooperation from 12 localities across Hampton Roads, the Eastern Shore, the Peninsula, Upper Peninsula, and throughout the Chesapeake Bay Region: Alexandria, Onancock, Cape Charles, Yorktown, Hampton, Smithfield/Isle of Wight, Richmond, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, and the Northern Neck.

The event is projected to attract more than 3 million visitors over 10 days across 12 localities, approximately one-third visiting from out of state, with a potential economic impact of over $150 million. More than 4,000 personnel are involved in planning, public safety, maritime operations, and logistics. Statewide education is also a major beneficiary of Sail250® Virginia through the Adopt-A-Ship program, which connects K-12 and higher education students with visiting ships and crews.

"Norfolk is proud to serve as host city for Sail250® Virginia and values the unprecedented cooperation from our partner communities across the Chesapeake Bay region," said Scherberger. "Virginia will welcome the world in 2026. Host city Norfolk and the Affiliate Harbors are reaffirming their place as harbors of history and ports of international friendship."

“Together, we are making history again," Scherberger stated.

For a complete schedule of events, ship lists, and viewing location details, visit www.sail250virginia.com, Facebook, and Instagram.

About Sail250® Virginia

Sail250® Virginia is part of the United States' national commemoration of America's 250th anniversary. Scheduled June 12-23, 2026, the event will bring a fleet of international tall ships, military ships, historic and character vessels to Norfolk and Affiliate Harbors 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. Sail250® Virginia is produced by Norfolk Festevents, Ltd. For more details, visit www.sail250virginia.com, Facebook, and Instagram.

Sail250® Virginia support includes:

In Partnership with VA250.
Sponsors: Virginia is for Lovers, The City of Norfolk, Sentara, TowneBank, W.F. Magann Corporation, Crofton Industries, E. G. Middleton, Inc., Dominion Enterprises, McLeskey, VIGOR Marine | MHI Norfolk, The Port of Virginia, Dominion Energy, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, McAllister Towing of Virginia, Fairlead, Light Tech, Inc., Colliers, Virginia Pilot Association, Nauticus, ICON, Colonna's Shipyard, Inc., Perry Family Foundation, Visit Norfolk, BAE Systems, Coastal Precast Systems, Elizabeth River Concrete, S. B. Ballard Construction Company, Bay Power Solutions, STIHL, Coastal Virginia Tourism Alliance, Rivers Casino, Navy League of Hampton Roads, Decker Law, Schaubach Fund/Suffolk Foundation. WHRO Public Media, Official Education Media Partner.

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