Tall Ships sailed throughout Ontario this summer

June 29 – September 1, 2019

Thank you to everyone who spent Canada Day weekend with us! And thank you to those who travelled throughout Ontario for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE ONTARIO Tour.

Visit the ships – the schooner, the better!

Every three years, the Redpath Waterfront Festival, presented by Billy Bishop Airport, welcomes a fleet of majestic tall ships to Toronto’s waterfront. During Canada Day weekend, from June 29 – July 1, these ships docked from Bay to Lower Sherbourne and were open for deck tours. The festival also welcomed the Canadian Coast Guard for the first time.

Festival Map & Schedule

Our festival footprint spanned from Harbour Square Park in the West to Sherbourne Common in the East. For detailed directions visit our FAQ section.

Detailed entertainment schedule can be found HERE.

Our Vessels

Bluenose II

Make way for the Queen of the North Atlantic! The tall ship from our Canadian dime hasn’t been to Toronto in 10 years. Don’t miss your chance to tour this Canadian icon. Click for more info

Picton Castle

From Panama, to Fiji, to Bermuda, the question is, where hasn’t she been? Picton Castle returns from her seventh world voyage in May. And anyone, even you, can join her crew! Click for more info.

U.S. Brig Niagara

Go back in time with U.S. Brig Niagara! The two-masted tall ship is a reproduction of a flag ship that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, helping to defeat a fleet of British warships in the Battle of Lake Erie. Click for more info.

Pride of Baltimore II

Tour Pride of Baltimore II, a symbol of Maryland’s rich natural resources and its beautiful Chesapeake Bay region and find out why they call her America’s Star-Spangled Ambassador! Click for more info.

Denis Sullivan

Sail in style and comfort aboard Denis Sullivan, the youngest and most modern tall ship in the fleet. Built in Milwaukee, WI, in 2000, this educational sailing vessel has two diesel engines, modern navigation equipment and even showers for her crew. Click for more info.

Fair Jeanne

Over the past 20 years, Fair Jeanne has gone from a private yacht to a sail-training vessel, training over 2,500 young people. Discover the beautiful story behind this beautiful ship. Click for more info.

Playfair

Learn the ins and outs of seamanship aboard Toronto’s own sail-training ship. Operated by Toronto Brigantine Inc., Playfair is the only Canadian tall ship to be commissioned by a reigning monarch. Click for more info.

St. Lawrence II

Though she’s spent nearly half a century at sea, she’s a ship who will always stay young at heart. Explore St.Lawrence II, a sail training tall ship commanded by a crew made up entirely of young people. Click for more info.

Elegant sailboat with a dozen sailors on board

HMCS Oriole

The Oriole loves Toronto’s waterfront. The Royal Canadian Navy’s longest serving commissioned vessel returns to the festival for another year. Launched in 1921, HMCS Oriole served as a training ship in World War II. Click for more info.

Canadian Coast Guard

The Canadian Coast Guard will be keeping our waterways safe and accessible during Canada Day weekend. Meet the crew on-land and learn more about the important work they do. Click for more info.

Empire Sandy

See Canada’s largest tall ship sail in the Toronto harbour. Empire Sandy is the stunning white vessel docked at the foot of Spadina. Hop on board during the festival and all summer long. *NOT PART OF BOARDING PASSES. Click for more info.

Kajama

Be a sailor aboard the historic tall ship Kajama. Home to Toronto’s one and only tall ship experience, you can learn to hoist the sails, sing sea shanties and enjoy a breathtaking view of Toronto’s waterfront. *NOT PART OF BOARDING PASSES. Click for more info.

Maritime Market!

We brought a nautical-themed market to the festival! Visitors went overboard on lobster rolls, scallop and bacon pizza, and calamari! The market also featured handmade nautical jewelry and accessories, beauty products inspired by the sea, refreshing summertime drinks, maritime folk art and home décor. Click here for a list of vendors.

Ahoy Matey

Activities for the whole family

Nautical Market

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Obstacle Course

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Activity #3

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Connect with us on Instagram

Keep your eyes on the horizon. Follow us on Instagram for festival updates and beautiful views.

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In the misty morning fog with our hearts a thumpin’ we spot Empire Sandy. 👀
📸 by @filipmroz •
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• @empire_sandy #empiresandy #tallshipsto #tallships #towaterfront #torontowaterfront #blogto @blogto #throwbackthursday #throwback #tbt #latergram #mistymorningfog #browneyedgirl #hellosailor #sailor #sailing

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Anyone dressing up as a sailor or duck this Halloween 😉🐥⛵️? #happyhalloween 📸by @jimorgill •
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#happyhalloween @bigduckus #worldslargestrubberduck #torontoduck #halloween @blogto #blogto #towaterfront #torontoviews #lightup #halloweencostume #costumeideas #ducky #rubberducky #rubberduck #torontowaterfront #sailor #tallshipsto

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Who has checked out the light up seesaws on #TOwaterfront? 🙋 Impulse is on now until Nov 12. The ups, the downs, it takes you on a musical ride! Don't miss out Toronto! ⠀
📸 by @khristelphoto Khristel Stecher •
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#winterstations #toronto #blogto #torontowaterfront #artinstallation #waterfrontviews #torontoviews #viewsoftoronto #lightup #seesaw #musical #interactiveart #thingstodointoronto #torontoevents #free #upanddown #familyfriendly #lightupthenight

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Unbe-leaf-abe sights, indescribable feelings🎶🧞‍♂️. 📸 by Jake Colvin. #TOwaterfront
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#torontoviews #torontoisland #torontowaterfront #fall #autumn #leaves #leaveschanging #pumpkinspice #pumpkinspicelife #toronto

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So much to be thankful for this #Thanksgiving from our gorgeous #TOwaterfront, to our generous partners and friends🍁🍗! To all who are celebrating this weekend, #happythanksgiving. 📸 by @andrefutado1979.

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No butts about it, get down to the docks for a walk along #TOwaterfront this weekend😉🤣. 📸 by Tharan Parameshwaran. •
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#waterfront #toronto #viewsofthesix #torontowalks #seetorontonow #exploretoronto #nobuttsaboutit #birdbutt #weekend #friday #waterfront #friday #friyay #sunshine #walks #nature #weekend

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It’s a pretty sweet spot 😉! Even though summer is officially over, it definitely doesn’t feel like it. Meet you under the pink umbrellas at #sugarbeach. 😎☀️. 📷by @mkamanke

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So, a-boat this view 😍. 📸 by @briannjoness. #TOwaterfront Wishing everyone a great weekend. Enjoy this amazing weather while you still can!

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We could really go for a dozen @rodneysoysterhouse oysters with @jennifer.e.crawford's signature sauce on top right now. Buoy, were they good. Double tap if you agree😋. #tbt 📸 by @peatures.jpg

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And off they sailed into the sunset 🌅😉. It was incredible to host the iconic Bluenose II and 15 other tall ships in Ontario this summer. Thank you to all of the ports @ontariosbluecoast, @townofmidland, @townofkingsville, @brockvilleon, @tallshipsamerica, community partners and volunteers who devoted countless hours to host the ships and organize festivals. And thank you to our visitors. We hope you had a mari-time touring the ships, soaking in their history and learning about our beautiful Great Lakes❤️😊👋. We'll sea ya soon fleet! #tallshipsON

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It's your last chance to jump on board⚓️⛵️! The tall ships make their final stop in Ontario and in the Great Lakes this long weekend @brockvilleon. See and tour @sailbluenoseII, @lanaosantamaria,@tallshipsl2 and more! Jam out to live music @rhb_weekend 🎸🎷. And stay cool with a snowball throwing competition at #bigriverbrockville. Yes, a snowball throwing competition ❄️. Only in #brockville 😉. #tallshipsON

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Beautiful, no matter how you frame her 😍🌸. 📸: Scott Webb. #TOwaterfront

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Thanks to the crew that made this possible.

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Follow the Tour

learn more

Tall Ships sailed throughout Ontario this summer

June 29 – September 1, 2019

Thank you to everyone who spent Canada Day weekend with us! And thank you to those who travelled throughout Ontario for the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE ONTARIO Tour.

Visit the ships – the schooner, the better!

Festival Map & Schedule

Our Vessels

Make way for the Queen of the North Atlantic! The tall ship from our Canadian dime hasn’t been to Toronto in 10 years. Don’t miss your chance to tour this Canadian icon. Click for more info

From Panama, to Fiji, to Bermuda, the question is, where hasn’t she been? Picton Castle returns from her seventh world voyage in May. And anyone, even you, can join her crew! Click for more info.

Go back in time with U.S. Brig Niagara! The two-masted tall ship is a reproduction of a flag ship that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812, helping to defeat a fleet of British warships in the Battle of Lake Erie. Click for more info.

Tour Pride of Baltimore II, a symbol of Maryland’s rich natural resources and its beautiful Chesapeake Bay region and find out why they call her America’s Star-Spangled Ambassador! Click for more info.

Sail in style and comfort aboard Denis Sullivan, the youngest and most modern tall ship in the fleet. Built in Milwaukee, WI, in 2000, this educational sailing vessel has two diesel engines, modern navigation equipment and even showers for her crew. Click for more info.

Over the past 20 years, Fair Jeanne has gone from a private yacht to a sail-training vessel, training over 2,500 young people. Discover the beautiful story behind this beautiful ship. Click for more info.

Learn the ins and outs of seamanship aboard Toronto’s own sail-training ship. Operated by Toronto Brigantine Inc., Playfair is the only Canadian tall ship to be commissioned by a reigning monarch. Click for more info.

Though she’s spent nearly half a century at sea, she’s a ship who will always stay young at heart. Explore St.Lawrence II, a sail training tall ship commanded by a crew made up entirely of young people. Click for more info.

The Oriole loves Toronto’s waterfront. The Royal Canadian Navy’s longest serving commissioned vessel returns to the festival for another year. Launched in 1921, HMCS Oriole served as a training ship in World War II. Click for more info.

The Canadian Coast Guard will be keeping our waterways safe and accessible during Canada Day weekend. Meet the crew on-land and learn more about the important work they do. Click for more info.

See Canada’s largest tall ship sail in the Toronto harbour. Empire Sandy is the stunning white vessel docked at the foot of Spadina. Hop on board during the festival and all summer long. *NOT PART OF BOARDING PASSES. Click for more info.

Be a sailor aboard the historic tall ship Kajama. Home to Toronto’s one and only tall ship experience, you can learn to hoist the sails, sing sea shanties and enjoy a breathtaking view of Toronto’s waterfront. *NOT PART OF BOARDING PASSES. Click for more info.

Maritime Market!

Ahoy Matey

Nautical Market

Obstacle Course

Activity #3

Connect with us on Instagram

Thanks to the crew that made this possible.

Our Partners

Follow the Tour

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