Gloucester Schooner Festival

Date: 4 September 2026 – 7 September 2026

Location: Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, United States

Organizer: Maritime Gloucester

The Gloucester Schooner Festival has been running since the early 1980s and returns for its 42nd year over Labor Day weekend, September 3 to 6, 2026. America's oldest seaport fills with historic schooners from along the Atlantic coast, many of them working vessels built for fishing or cargo. Maritime Gloucester organizes the weekend around a few fixed points: deck tours and public sails, Maritime Heritage Day on Saturday with exhibits and demonstrations along the working waterfront, and the Parade of Sail on Sunday, when the fleet processes through Gloucester Harbor ahead of the Mayor's Cup races. Watching from shore costs nothing. The Parade of Sail is the moment to plan around; Stage Fort Park and the Boulevard give the best sightlines. Public sails and fireworks cruises are ticketed and sell out early. Gloucester has been sending schooners to sea since the 1700s, and this weekend is the closest thing to seeing that era afloat.

Event website

View this event on the World Sailing Day map

More sailing events in United States

See all sailing events in United States, or browse the world map to discover regattas, open days and sailing festivals near you — and explore yacht clubs, marinas and sailing schools along the way.

Sailing nearby

Planning to attend? These clubs, marinas, schools and other sailing places are close to Gloucester and worth a visit while you are in the area:

Want to grow sailing in United States? Become a World Sailing Day ambassador.