Dana Point is welcoming back a community favorite for the 41st time — the Maritime Festival, presented by the Ocean Institute. Returning September 12 through 14, this weekend-long event celebrates California’s maritime history, offering activities and experiences for all ages while supporting the Ocean Institute’s renowned education programs.
Ocean Institute image.
Originally launched in 1984 as the Tall Ships Festival, the Maritime Festival has become a signature tradition at Dana Point Harbor. “The Maritime Festival began in 1984 as a celebration of Dana Point’s maritime heritage and the historical significance of tall ships,” said Isabela Farinella, Assistant Manager of Marketing & Development for the Ocean Institute. “Since then, it has grown from a modest gathering into one of the largest tall ship festivals on the West Coast. Today, it combines historical reenactments and ship tours with interactive experiences featuring mermaids and pirates, local food and drink, touch tanks, live entertainment, cannon battles, and educational programming.”
The event is a major fundraiser for the Ocean Institute, a nonprofit established in 1977 and nationally recognized for its hands-on marine science and maritime history programs. “Proceeds from the Maritime Festival directly support the Ocean Institute’s hands-on education programs, including the Adopt-A-Class initiative,” said Farinella. “This program provides students from Title I schools across California with access to immersive STEM field trips, often their first exposure to the ocean and marine science. In 2024, festival funds helped bring approximately 15,000 students to the Ocean Institute, with a goal of doubling that impact in 2025.”
Ocean Institute image.
Even as it has grown, the festival has remained rooted in its original purpose. “The festival was originally created to honor Dana Point’s rich maritime history and connect the public with tall ships and nautical traditions,” Farinella said. “While it has expanded in scale and offerings, its core mission remains the same: to inspire curiosity about the ocean through immersive, educational, and celebratory experiences.”
Throughout the festival weekend, visitors can expect tall ship tours, mock cannon battles, pirate-themed entertainment, mermaid swim shows, educational activities, vendors, food trucks, and live music. For first-time attendees, Farinella offered some recommendations: “For first-time attendees, the Tall Ship Tours and Cannon Battles aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and other historic vessels are a must-see. This year, we’re excited to welcome six visiting tall ships, including the Californian, California’s official state tall ship all the way from the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Our Maritime Village offers hands-on experiences such as gold panning, knot tying, and educational fun around the life of a sailor, bringing maritime history vividly to life. Families with young children will enjoy Mermaid Encounters and join our School for Scallywags, our official pirate school, while evening events like our Friday night festival kickoff party, Sails N’ Ales, add a lively nautical twist to the festivities.”
Ocean Institute image.
The festival kicks off Friday, September 12, with Sails ’N Ales: Craft Beer Kick-off Party from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. Attendees can sample craft beers from local breweries, enjoy live music, explore touch tanks and exhibits, and take in views of the visiting tall ships. Entry tickets are $10, with optional tasting cards available starting at $12. Parking is limited near the harbor, and carpooling or ride-share is encouraged.
Throughout the weekend, Cannon Battles aboard historic tall ships will take place September 12 through 14 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visitors can board a tall ship and experience sailing off the coast of Dana Point, complete with mock cannon battles. Tickets for tall ship sails are $80, while a companion cruise aboard the R/V Sea Explorer is available for $60.
For families, several ticketed events cater to younger visitors. School for Scallywags, held September 13 and 14, lets children learn pirate skills from Cap’n Will aboard the Spirit of Dana Point, with tickets priced at $35 for adults and children. Also, on September 13 and 14, the Mermaids & Mateys Breakfast will treat guests to brunch alongside mermaids and pirates, with a mermaid swim show, sword-fighting lessons, and photo opportunities. Tickets for this breakfast event are $70 for adults and children, with a reduced rate of $10 for infants and toddlers.
Ocean Institute image.
Visitors can also enjoy standalone Mermaid Swim Shows at 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, as well as an afternoon Mermaid Tea by the Sea, which combines finger sandwiches, scones, tea service, and entertainment. A Mermaid Grotto Meet & Greet provides an intimate chance to interact and take photos with mermaids.
In addition, the festival includes free pirate adventure shows at 10:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. both days. These shows take place dockside on the Spirit of Dana Point and can be viewed from the sidewalk near the Maritime History Center and Baby Beach Fishing Wharf.
Festival visitors can also purchase a Festival Adventure Pass, granting access to all-day activities on September 13 and 14. Priced at $20 for adults, $18.50 for seniors, and $17 for children (free for infants), the pass includes admission to the Ocean Institute’s main campus. There, visitors can explore maritime history exhibits, tide pool and shark touch tanks, gold panning, Morse code demonstrations, scavenger hunts, and pirate and mermaid storytimes.
The success of the event wouldn’t be possible without strong community support. “The festival is made possible thanks to generous sponsors, community partners, in-kind donors and dedicated volunteers,” Farinella shared. “Support from organizations like Toshiba, the City of Dana Point, Charles Schwab, and various local businesses, restaurants, breweries, and nonprofits provide critical financial and logistical backing. Collaborations with tall ship groups and reenactment crews, specifically the Naval Historical Education Foundation, further enhance the authenticity of the experience.”
For those interested in contributing, the Ocean Institute offers several ways to get involved. “The Ocean Institute welcomes volunteers of all ages to assist with guest check-in, activity stations, ship hosting, event setup, and more,” said Farinella. Local businesses can get involved through sponsorships, in-kind donations, or participation as an educational or artisan vendor. It’s a truly community driven event, and local involvement is a big part of what makes the festival such a success year after year!”
The Ocean Institute offers complimentary admission for active service members and veterans with valid ID, and members at certain levels can claim free Festival Adventure Pass tickets through their online accounts.
Parking will be limited in the harbor due to festival activities. The Ocean Institute recommends using the free parking and shuttle service from Dana Hills High School (33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point), available Saturday and Sunday from 6:30 a.m. to 8:15 p.m. Shuttles will run approximately every 25 to 30 minutes and drop off near the Ocean Institute’s main parking lot.
Looking beyond this year’s festival, the Ocean Institute plans to continue offering the Maritime Festival as an annual tradition. The event has grown significantly since its first edition and remains a cornerstone of community life in Dana Point, connecting visitors and residents to California’s maritime heritage and supporting education programs for thousands of students each year.
For visitors preferring to use the Dana Point Trolley, stops N8 and S14 at Dana Point Harbor Drive and Golden Lantern provide convenient access with a short walk to the festival. Accessible parking is available in the Cove Road lot with valid handicap verification, but space is limited. Visitors attending ticketed events should allow 45 minutes to one hour to arrive from remote parking locations.
For details on schedules, tickets, and parking, or to learn more about the Ocean Institute and its programs, visit oceaninstitute.org.
