The Ocean Institute’s Maritime Festival, also known as the Tall Ships Festival, is a fun filled 3-day long annual event that pays homage to the rich maritime history of Dana Point, California. Set against the picturesque backdrop of the Dana Point harbor, this festival offers views of visiting tall ships, cannon battles, Pirate and Mermaid Ball, a beer garden, mermaid swim shows, pirate school, live music, Reenactors and sailor camp, vendors, food trucks, marine exhibits and much more.
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: 10am – 5pm for the main festival areas
What Is the Dana Point Maritime Festival?
For one weekend each fall, Dana Point Harbor turns into a living history experience celebrating the areas 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?
One of the best things about the Dana Point Maritime Festival is that you don’t necessarily need to pay a fee to enjoy the event. The main festival areas include free activities such as Peddler’s Village, live music, Sailor Camp and the Pirate Adventure Show. Food, drinks and merchandise are available for purchase.
Some of the more immersive experiences including certain ship tours, sails, cannon battles and specialty pirate and mermaid experiences may require separate tickets, but if you’re visiting on a budget, you can still have a fun day at the harbor without purchasing every add-on experience.
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
Guests are invited aboard a historic tall ship to set sail off the coast of Dana Point. While out at sea, you’ll learn about maritime history and participate in a thrilling mock cannon battle. You’ll bring out your inner pirate while experiencing blasting cannons, towering rigging, bustling decks, and the magnificence of a canvas full of wind! Become part of the crew and help with hauling up sail or simply sit back and enjoy the spectacular demonstration of skill, knowledge, and survival on the high sea.
Sails ‘N Ales: Craft Beer Kick-off Party
The Maritime Festival kicks off with Sails N’ Ales! This event offers craft beer tasting from different local breweries, live music, food, a shark exhibit, photo opportunities, crafts, beer & wine, and prime viewing of the visiting tall ships.
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
If you want to experience more than the free festival areas, consider the Festival Adventure Pass. The pass provides access to additional Ocean Institute exhibits, activities and maritime experiences. Depending on this year’s offerings, 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 families who want to spend several hours exploring rather than simply walking through the festival. Check the official ticket information for the current pass inclusions and pricing before purchasing.
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
- Dress up as a pirate or mermaid including eye patches and mermaid tales.
- Over 9,000 attendees are expected so expect crowds and arrive early to avoid the crowds.
- The mermaid breakfast is a favorite for little girls.
- Tour the Ocean Exhibit for the marine life exhibits and hands on activities such as panning for gold or morse code.
Parking & Transportation
While there are various locations to park in Dana Point Harbor, the parking near the festival is very limited as some parking is used to host festival activities. Free parking and shuttles are provided at Dana Hills High School. If you have a special event or experience ticket please give yourself 45 minutes – 1 hour to arrive from parking locations.
Shuttles will be dropping off at the round-a-bout outside of the Ocean Institute Main parking lot. Shuttles will pick up every 25-30 minutes.
DP Trolley
You can also hop on the DP trolley and ride into the harbor via the North bound stop N8 or South bound stop S14. Both of these stops will drop you at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern, just a 14 minute (.7 mile) walk from the festival. Visit the DP trolley website for scheduling.