The Ocean Institute’s Maritime Festival, also known as the Tall Ships Festival, returns to Dana Point, California, September 11–13, 2026. The three-day festival celebrates Dana Point’s maritime history with visiting tall ships, cannon battles, pirate and mermaid experiences, live music, historical reenactors, marine exhibits, food, vendors and activities along Dana Point Harbor.
Maritime Festival (Tall Ships Festival) Details
Tall Ships Festival Website
Festival Map
Where: Ocean Institute
Address: 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
When: September 11-13, 2026
Festival Hours: Friday programming varies by ticketed event; Saturday & Sunday Adventure Pass hours are 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Individual activities and experiences have their own schedules.
What Is the Dana Point Maritime Festival?
For one weekend each fall, Dana Point Harbor turns into a living history experience celebrating the area’s rich maritime history.
The Maritime Festival is built around the tall ships that helped shape the history of the California coast, with crews and historical reenactors portraying sailors, pirates and other characters from the age of sail.
Visitors can explore tall ships, watch cannon battles, learn old-fashioned maritime skills, listen to live music, shop from local vendors and enjoy food and drinks along the harbor. Kids can attend Pirate School, take part in hands-on activities and meet pirates and mermaids.
The festival is presented by the Ocean Institute, a nonprofit marine science and maritime education organization in Dana Point. Proceeds from the event support the Institute’s educational programs.
2026 Maritime Festival Highlights
Here’s a quick look at some of the things you can see and do during the weekend:
- Tour the tall ships and historic vessels
- Cannon battles
- Pirate Adventure Show
- Pirate School and pirate activities
- Mermaid experiences
- Live music
- Beer garden
- Peddler’s Village marketplace
- Food trucks and festival food
- Historical reenactors
- Maritime demonstrations and hands-on activities
- Marine life exhibits
- Kids’ activities and games
- Gold panning
- Arts and crafts
- Knot tying and other traditional sailor skills
What’s Free at the Maritime Festival?
You can enjoy portions of the Dana Point Maritime Festival without purchasing every ticketed experience. Festival programming includes public areas, entertainment, vendors and harbor activity, while many of the more immersive attractions require admission or separate tickets. Check the official 2026 schedule before visiting to confirm which activities are complimentary.
Ship tours, sails, cannon battles and specialty pirate and mermaid experiences may require an Adventure Pass or separate tickets. Review the official festival website for the current schedule, ticket requirements and availability.
Live Music and Beer Garden
Take a break from exploring the ships and enjoy live entertainment in the festival’s music and beer garden area. Food and drinks are available for purchase but entry is free.
Sailor Camp
At Sailor Camp, kids can learn about life aboard a ship and try their hand at traditional maritime skills. Depending on the day’s programming, activities may include learning to tie knots, exploring maritime history and trying hands-on activities inspired by life at sea. It’s a fun way for kids to learn about the history behind the ships rather than simply looking at them from the dock.
Pirate Adventure Show
The Pirate Adventure Show brings swashbuckling action to the festival with pirates, ships, and theatrical adventure. The show is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday at 10:45 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. It’s a family-friendly addition to the festival and one of the easiest ways to get the kids excited about the maritime theme.
Tall Ships and Ship Tours
The tall ships are the stars of the Maritime Festival. Visitors can get an up-close look at historic-style vessels and learn what life was like for the sailors who traveled the oceans. Ship tours and other maritime experiences give visitors an opportunity to explore the vessels rather than simply viewing them from the shore.
Seafarer’s Landing
Located in the fishing wharf parking lot you’ll find food trucks, beer garden, drinks, music, picnic tables and more.
Peddler’s Village
Shop the fare of local craftsmen, artists, jewelers and local vendors at the Peddler’s Village.
Ticketed Experiences
Cannon Battles
Cannon Battle sails take guests aboard a tall ship off the Dana Point coast for a mock battle featuring live cannon demonstrations and maritime interpretation. Cannon Battle experiences are offered during the festival weekend and require separate tickets. Participants must be at least 4 years old. The cannons are extremely loud, so visitors who are sensitive to noise should consider hearing protection or watching from shore. Check the official schedule for current departure times and availability.
Sails ‘N Ales: Craft Beer Kick-off Party
The Maritime Festival kicks off with Sails N’ Ales on Friday, September 11, from 6:00–10:00 p.m. This 21+ event features craft beer from local breweries, live music, food and views of the visiting tall ships. General admission is $15, with beer and tasting tickets sold separately. Check the official ticket page for availability and current details.
Pirate Experiences
The Maritime Festival goes beyond simply dressing up like a pirate. Kids can step into the world of pirates through special activities and interactive experiences. School for Scallywags gives young visitors a chance to learn pirate skills and take part in pirate-themed adventures.
Other pirate activities are offered throughout the weekend, making this one of the most popular parts of the festival for families with younger children.
Mermaid Experiences
Mermaids are another big part of the Dana Point Maritime Festival, with several special experiences offered throughout the weekend.
- Mermaids & Mateys Breakfast: This special experience combines a meal with entertainment and character interaction and is popular with families celebrating a special occasion.
- Mermaid Swim Show: Watch the mermaids perform in an underwater-inspired show that’s designed to delight younger festival visitors.
- Mermaid Tea by the Sea: Experience includes a dazzling mermaid swim show, tea, story time and photo opportunity.
- Mermaid Grotto Meet & Greet: Meet the mermaids up close at the Mermaid Grotto. This is a great opportunity for kids to interact with the characters and take photos.
Mermaid experiences require separate tickets, and availability can be limited, so check the official festival website before planning your visit.
Festival Adventure Pass
The Festival Adventure Pass provides access to Ocean Institute exhibits, activities and maritime experiences on Saturday and Sunday. Current 2026 pricing is $20 for adults, $18.50 for seniors, $17 for children, free for infants and toddlers, and $65 for a family four-pack. Pass activities may include marine-life exhibits, touch tanks, historical displays, hands-on activities, games, crafts and ship tours.
The Adventure Pass is a good option for visitors who want to spend several hours exploring rather than simply walking through the harbor. Check the official ticket information before purchasing because inclusions, availability and schedules can change.
Food & Drinks
You won’t have to go far to find something to eat during the Maritime Festival. You’ll have plenty of options from food vendors and food trucks along with beverage service for lunch, snacks, and drinks while exploring the harbor. Adults can also enjoy the festival beer garden.
Tips for Visiting
- Festival costumes are welcome, so kids and adults can dress as pirates or mermaids, complete with eye patches or mermaid tails.
- The Ocean Institute expects roughly 8,000–10,000 visitors over the three-day festival, so allow extra time for parking, shuttles and ticketed experiences.
- Popular mermaid experiences can have limited capacity, so reserve ticketed activities in advance when possible.
- Leave time for Ocean Institute marine-life exhibits and hands-on activities such as gold panning, knot tying and maritime demonstrations.
Parking & Transportation
Parking near the Ocean Institute is limited during the Maritime Festival because portions of the harbor parking area are used for festival activities. Plan to arrive early and allow extra time before any scheduled ticketed experience. Check the official festival transportation information before leaving for the most current 2026 parking and shuttle locations.
Shuttle routes, pickup locations and frequency can change from year to year. Confirm the current festival transportation plan on the official Maritime Festival website before your visit.
DP Trolley
The Dana Point Trolley can also be an option for reaching the harbor during trolley season. Routes and stops may change, so check the Dana Point Trolley website for the current schedule and closest stops before visiting.
Maritime Festival FAQs
Is the Dana Point Maritime Festival free?
You can enjoy portions of the festival without purchasing every ticketed experience, but Adventure Pass activities, cannon battles, sails and specialty experiences may require admission or separate tickets.
When is the 2026 Dana Point Tall Ships Festival?
The 2026 Dana Point Maritime Festival takes place September 11–13 at the Ocean Institute in Dana Point Harbor.
Do you need tickets to tour the tall ships?
Some ship access and maritime experiences are included with festival admission or an Adventure Pass, while sails and cannon battles require separate tickets. Check the official schedule for the specific vessel or experience you want to visit.
Where should you park for the Maritime Festival?
Parking near the Ocean Institute is limited during the festival. Arrive early and check the official festival website for current 2026 parking and shuttle information before leaving.
Are the cannon battles appropriate for young children?
Cannon Battle participants must be at least 4 years old. The cannon demonstrations are extremely loud, so hearing protection may be appropriate for children and anyone sensitive to loud noise.
Can you see the tall ships without buying a ticket?
Visitors may be able to view visiting vessels from public areas around Dana Point Harbor, but boarding ships, sails and other experiences may require festival admission or separate tickets.