Sail4th 250 kicks off — here's what's in store for America's 2026 semiquincentennial bash in NYC

New York Post

02-07-2025

New York is celebrating America's 250th birthday all year long.
Sail4th 250 organizers officially launched the blockbuster celebration on Wednesday — offering New Yorkers a glimpse of what's to come for America's 2026 semiquincentennial party.
The six-day, once-in-a-lifetime event will feature more than 30 tall ships from international militaries, a spectacular Blue Angels flight show, displays of rare historical documents and more — and is expected to generate a record-breaking $2.85 billion revenue windfall for the Big Apple.
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5 More than 30 international tall ships will sail into the New York Harbor for next year's celebration.
Photo Courtesy of OpSail 2000
'We're bringing the world's greatest fleet of tall ships to the port of New York and New Jersey as we celebrate America's 250th birthday,' Chris O'Brien, president of Sail4th 250, announced at a press conference aboard the iconic World War II-era Intrepid aircraft carrier.
'I like to call this beautiful harbor — and there's no harbor like it — America's home port. On July 4, 2026, this port will serve as the world's home port as we bring so many nations together to mark this milestone of America's 250th.'
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Sail4th event will span July 3 through 8 across the Big Apple, with each day packed to the brim with events, tours, shows and more that center on the historic milestone.
The most impressive display will fittingly take place on July 4, and will involve an impressive flotilla of at least 30 Class A Tall Ships and 40 gray hull vessels — making for the largest parade of vessels to ever sail into the Port of New York and New Jersey.
5 'On July 4th, 2026, this port will serve as the world's home port,' Sail4th 250 President Chris O'Brien said at a press conference Wednesday.
Robert Miller
The ships, each a military training vessel from another country, will ceremoniously voyage into the harbor from beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge before landing in ports on Staten Island, in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
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A 'senior government official' will be aboard the incredible parade — but planners wouldn't budge on naming the guest of honor.
'The vision to bring tall ships from across the globe to New York in 2026 is not only a powerful tribute to the city's maritime heritage, but a profound symbol of international friendship, unity and shared values,' explained Ken Fisher, the co-chairman of the Intrepid Museum.
5 The flotilla will mark the largest ever sail into the Port of New York and New Jersey — even more than sailed during a similar event in 1976.
Photo Courtesy of OpSail 2000
The ships will open their doors to the public in the following days, allowing visitors to explore the decks and meet with military cadets from around the world.
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The tall ships won't be the only impressive vessels on display — Cunard's Queen Mary 2, the world's only ocean liner, will be docked in the Harbor for the occasion.
There will be plenty of shows in the sky as well, including the Navy's Blue Angels, which are moving their annual free shows from the shores of Jones Beach on Long Island to the Big Apple for the big birthday bash.
5 A color guard salutes aboard the Intrepid.
Robert Miller
Museum officials will also have hundreds of rare, historical documents on display, including 18th-century copies of the Declaration of Independence, Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech and more.
But the party isn't just about the past. On July 6, the city is throwing a 'Homecoming of Heroes' ticker-tape parade in honor of post-9/11 combat veterans and first responders.
Sail4th week will also coincide with the New York/New Jersey-hosted 2026 FIFA World Cup and Fleet Week, which was moved from its traditional Memorial Day Weekend slot for the momentous occasion.
5 'The vision to bring tall ships from across the globe to New York in 2026 is not only a powerful tribute to the city's maritime heritage, but a profound symbol of international friendship, unity and shared values,' explained Ken Fisher, co-chairman of the Intrepid Museum.
Robert Miller
The overwhelming celebrations are expected to draw in more than 8 million visitors to the Big Apple — and generate a record-breaking $2.85 billion in economic activity.
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'We are excited that once again, New York City will be on the world stage, providing a platform for unforgettable events that reinforce New York City as the anchor of America's 250 celebration across the country,' said Julie Coker, president and CEO of the city's Tourism + Conventions.
The Post is one of the bash's sponsors.