In less than 30 days, New York Harbor will host the largest gathering of ships and aircraft in American history as part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.
On July 4, 2026, the International Parade of Sail will bring 48 tall ships from 20 countries, plus six American tall ships led by the iconic USCGC Eagle. They will sail from under the Verrazzano Narrows Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty, and up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge. Along the way, they will pass more than 40 United States and allied naval vessels anchored in the river for the International Naval Review 250.
Nearly 200 aircraft, led by the United States Navy Blue Angels, will fly over the harbor in an International Aerial Review. Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 will be anchored in the harbor, and the day will end with the fiftieth anniversary of Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks and a separate Jersey City fireworks show. NBC, Telemundo, and Peacock will broadcast live national coverage from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
In all, 44 nations will be represented, with many of their naval chiefs attending in person. About 15,000 United States and foreign sailors are expected in port, and more than 6 million spectators are projected along 15 miles of waterfront.
Track Every Ship in Real Time
To help people follow the action, Sail4th 250 has partnered with AquaMap, a real time ship tracking platform. Available on iOS, Android, and in a web browser at https://www.aquamap.app/sail4th-250, AquaMap will let viewers see the position, identity, and route of every participating vessel as it sails into and around New York Harbor, whether you are watching from the shoreline or from home.
Free Tall Ship Visits: July 5 to 7
After the main event, the public will be able to step aboard many of the visiting tall ships at berths around New York Harbor from July 5 to July 7. Tickets will be free but required, and berthing locations and reservation details will be posted at www.sail4th.org.
By maritime tradition, boarding a foreign naval training ship is like stepping onto that nation’s soil, but for this Semiquincentennial you will not need a passport.
The Schedule
July 3
- 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
- Introductory parade of smaller Class B tall ships down the East River, pausing at South Street Seaport
July 4
- Around 7:30 a.m.
- A United States Navy ship reviews the anchored fleet on the Hudson
- 9:30 a.m.
- International Parade of Sail, lasting about two and a half hours at any viewing point
- Around 10:15 a.m.
- International Aerial Review begins
- Evening
- Macy’s Fiftieth Anniversary Fourth of July Fireworks and a separate Jersey City display
July 5 to 7
- Free, ticketed public access to tall ships at multiple harbor locations.
July 8
- Class A tall ships depart for Boston. Four of the famous Five Sisters training ships, from the United States, Portugal, Romania, and Germany, will race for the historic Five Sisters Cup, first contested in 1976.