SAIL Amsterdam 2025: 50 years of maritime magic in the Dutch capital

From August 20 to 24, 2025, Amsterdam will become the center of international maritime culture. It is here that the 10th anniversary festival SAIL Amsterdam will take place, dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the tall ship parade.

This festival is a unique opportunity to see hundreds of historical and modern ships, enjoy music, workshops and light shows. 



What is SAIL Amsterdam?
SAIL Amsterdam is one of the largest maritime festivals in Europe, held every five years. It is a unique event that combines:
•    The history of the Dutch fleet
•    Modern achievements of shipbuilding
•    Cultural and educational events
•    Mass concerts and light and sound shows
The festival attracts over 2 million visitors, and hundreds of ships from different countries participate in the parade.

History of SAIL Amsterdam
The first festival took place in 1975, to celebrate the opening of the North Sea Canal and the maritime traditions of Amsterdam. Initially, only Dutch merchant and sailing ships participated, but in the 1980s ships from Germany, Great Britain, and Scandinavia began to join the festival.



Development features:
•    1985: a frequency of once every 5 years was established so that each parade was large-scale.
•    2000–2015: SAIL Amsterdam becomes the largest maritime festival in Europe, attracting thousands of guests and hundreds of ships.
•    2020: the festival did not take place due to global restrictions, which made 2025 especially anticipated - the festival returns after a ten-year break.
Interesting facts:
•    Some ships are participating in the festival for the first time in 50 years.
•    The 18th–19th century sailing ships retain authentic equipment - maps, cannons, navigational instruments.
•    Naval salutes are used to greet each ship, and the crews demonstrate ancient maritime traditions.

SAIL Amsterdam 2025 programme



August 20 - SAIL In Parade
•    Route: Hundreds of ships pass through the North Sea Canal and through IJhaven.
•    Time: 10:00–18:00, peak arrival around 14:00.
•    Features: Cannon salutes, naval anthems, evening light and music show and fireworks.



August 21–23 — Ship Openings and Activities
•    10:00–20:00: Visitors can access the ship decks, participate in workshops, enjoy music and crafts in the “Oceans” zone.
•    Evening programs (21:00–22:30): concerts and shows, followed by a light and sound show and fireworks.
•    For children: interactive maritime lessons and play areas.

August 24 — SAIL Out Parade
•    The first ships sail around 2:00 PM, the last by 7:00 PM.
•    Special feature: the synchronous departure of dozens of ships creates a vivid picture of maritime grandeur.


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Key ships of SAIL Amsterdam 2025



1. Dar Młodzieży (Poland)
•    A training sailboat for Polish sailors, built in 1982.
•    It has 3 masts and 27 sails, length 108 m.
•    It is used for international naval exercises and participation in festivals.

2. Alexander von Humboldt II (Germany)
•    Training sailboat, built in 2011 as a replacement for the original 1906 vessel.
•    Length 65 m, crew up to 60 people.
•    Often used to train students at maritime academies.

3. Statsraad Lehmkuhl (Norway)
•    One of the largest training sailboats in Europe, built in 1914.
•    Length 98 m, 3 masts, 26 sails.
•    A historic ship that participates in international regattas and festivals.



4. Europa (Netherlands)
•    Legendary Dutch sailing ship from 1911, with 3 masts.
•    Known for participating in Tall Ships regattas and international maritime festivals.

5. Pamir and Tenacious (UK)
•    Tenacious is a modern training sailboat with composite masts.
•    Pamir is a historic sailboat (special exhibition at the festival).

6. Royal Clipper (Luxembourg)
•    The world's largest modern sailing clipper ship.
•    Length 134 m, 5 masts, 42 sails, maximum speed 17 knots.
•    During SAIL Amsterdam, guests can tour the ship and learn about modern sailing cruises.

>>>More information about the cruise company Star Clippers


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Interesting: many ships open their decks to visitors, where you can see the captain at the helm, training rooms, and antique cannons.

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