Boston Celebrates Sail Boston 250 With Spectacular Maritime Parade
WHO:
WCVB - The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, led the parade of ships.
WCVB - The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle participated in the event.
WCVB - Ships from Portugal, Argentina, and Chile were part of the event lineup.
WHAT:
CBS News - Around 340 flights had been delayed at Logan Airport due to the Parade of Sail, with 18 flights canceled as of 5 p.m. on Saturday.
CBS News - The Parade of Sail began at 9 a.m. on Saturday and is expected to end around 3 p.m.
CBS News - Massport stated that some ships' masts are too tall and could interfere with planes landing at Logan Airport, leading to a different landing configuration that handles fewer planes per hour.
Boston.com - More than 60 international tall ships and military vessels sailed into Boston for the event.
WCVB - The event is called Sail Boston 2026 and includes a historic Parade of Sail.
WCVB - The Parade of Sail celebrated America's 250th anniversary and Massachusetts' maritime heritage.
WCVB - Free tours of participating ships will be available through July 15.
WCVB - Ship viewing is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from July 12-15.
WHERE:
Boston.com - The event took place in Boston Harbor.
WCVB - Ships will be tied up in various berths around Boston.
WCVB - A free festival is located near the Seaport's Leader Bank Pavilion.
WCVB - Fireworks will be held near Boston's Fan Pier.
WHEN:
WCVB - Sail Boston 2026 continues through July 16.
WCVB - Fireworks are scheduled for Saturday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m.
WCVB - A Coast Guard helicopter demonstration is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
WCVB - A two-hour parade will occur on Monday at noon.
WCVB - The Sail Boston Cup soccer tournament is scheduled for Tuesday at 10 a.m.
WCVB - The event will conclude with a concert on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m.
WHY:
WCVB - The event celebrates America's 250th anniversary and Massachusetts' maritime heritage.
HOW:
CBS News - Logan Airport is asking incoming planes to bring extra fuel to alleviate pressure on the airport's fuel supply system, which is experiencing issues.
WCVB - Ships will offer free tours or other engagements during the event.
(UPDATED July 12, 2026 01:22 UTC)
The Parade of Sail, which began at 9 a.m. and is expected to wrap up around 3 p.m., has caused significant disruptions at Logan Airport, with around 340 flights delayed and 18 flights canceled by 5 p.m. Massport has indicated that the tall masts of some ships could interfere with landing planes, necessitating a different landing configuration that accommodates fewer aircraft per hour. To help manage the situation, Logan Airport is requesting incoming planes to carry extra fuel to ease the strain on its fuel supply system, which is currently facing challenges.
--
(UPDATED July 11, 2026 23:13 UTC)
Sail Boston 2026 has kicked off with more than 60 international tall ships and military vessels, including the USS Constitution and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Eagle, sailing into Boston Harbor to celebrate America's 250th anniversary and Massachusetts' maritime heritage. The event features a historic Parade of Sail, free tours of participating ships available through July 15, and a variety of activities including fireworks on Saturday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m., a Coast Guard helicopter demonstration on Sunday at 1 p.m., and the Sail Boston Cup soccer tournament on Tuesday at 10 a.m. The festivities will conclude with a concert on Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m., and ship viewing will be open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from July 12 to 15.