Tallship and Great Schooner Parade

The sails appear off the Dana Point Headlands at as the fleet gathers in preparation for entering the harbor. From shore watch the crews of the Tall Ships furl the sails and make preparations for entry to the harbor around sunset. All while defending themselves from the cannon blasts of renegade vessels.

Certainly the highlight of the festival, sailors and participating Tall Ships and Great Schooners will include the Pilgrim, Spirit of Dana Point , Exy Johnson, Irving Johnson, Californian, American Pride and more.

Tallship Cannon battles!

Sail aboard the tallship of your choice and experience first hand the thrill of a cannon battle at sea. This is an amazing opportunity and space on the vessels will fill fast.

Member Tickets on sale July 14, 2008
Non- Member Tickets on sale August 11, 2008

Sea Chantey Concerts
A stage with two full days of sea faring's best music. Sea chanteys, forebitters, ballads and more featuring nationally acclaimed musicians and storytellers.

Public Tours of the Tall Ships

Explore the majesty and wonder of tall ships and speak with the men and women who sail them.  Seven spectacular historic vessels will sail into Dana Point harbor Friday evening as part of the Toshiba Tall Ships Festival Sunset Parade.   All seven tall ships will be open for tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.  The brig Pilgrim will remain open until 5:00 p.m. both days and will offer continuous activities and interactive demonstrations.  We invite you to take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity and experience a taste of our rich maritime history. (Pirate Adventure Pass required) .

Live Music, Interactive Encampments and Arts & Craft Show
At Baby Beach Grass Park

With a spectacular view of the tall ships, the grass park hosts a fun-filled variety of festival activities.  On stage, audiences can enjoy live seafaring music (presented by nationally acclaimed musicians), including a special performance by renowned singer/songwriter Bob Zentz..  Other performances include storytellers and traditional hula dancers. Throughout the park, visitors can explore and experience interactive living-history encampments including blacksmiths, schrimshanders, medieval sword fighters and, the infamous Port Royal Privateers who are sure to entertain and amaze guests of all ages.  Additionally, visitors can participate in knot tying races or witness the spectacular art of traditional rope work.  Don’'t forget to check out the unique fine arts & craft show that has continued to grow each year offering a fabulous array of creative works including the award-winning spectacular wood working of Sue’s Canoes!  And, last but not least, all can enjoy the delicious variety of foods & tasty treats offered in the food court. See event schedule for individual activity times

Live On Stage At Baby Beach Park

Enjoy Live Sea-Faring Music and Special Performances

Bill Dempsey

Bill Dempsey is a fulltime public school music teacher and a part time professional singer, guitarist, shanty man and multi-instrumentalist. Bill began his association with the Ocean Institute in 1988 working on the tall ship Pilgrim. He has been a part of the Tall Ships Festival since 1990 singing sea chanteys from days gone by and works to organize the entertainers. Bill will celebrate the release of his third CD of shanties and sea songs at this year’s festival.

Halau Hula Lani Ola  Beautifully costumed dancers bring to us the mystery and beauty of Polynesia in a variety of hulas using traditional Hawai’ian implements such as the ‘uli’uli, pu’ili, coconut, and ipu.  This spectacular performance is one not to be missed!

John Kraus
John Andrew Kraus drove a Bigwheel. John Andrew Kraus drove a Huffy. John Andrew Kraus drove a 1984 Dodge Pick-up. John Andrew Kraus drove a bus. John Andrew Kraus drives a tall ship. John Andrew Kraus would drive a Boeing 747 if he had the time or the inclination. Does John Andrew Kraus move about the earth, or does the earth move about him? Whether parallel parking the Spirit of Dana Point in the most dire of circumstances, or hustling Englishmen at dice while on tour playing banjo and guitar in a bluegrass punk band, John Andrew Kraus parallel parks his way into our heart, and bumps our adjacent organs ever so slightly.

Bog Skippers
Playing the music of early Appalachia, Ireland, Scotland and England, Bog Skippers encourage audience participation by providing percussion instruments such as spoons, triangles and washboards, which are a mainstay of traditional music, so that the audience can be part of the band!
Westlin Weavers
The band features Scottish contemporary musicians and exciting up-and-coming musicians. Playing traditional and contemporary Scottish/Irish favorites as well as a variety of contemporary acoustic selections, their repertoire is Celtic, but the flavor is definitely American, and see if you hear a touch of bluegrass in their sound.

The Hula Connection 
From Dana Point, this local dance school will feature Keike (children) and Wahine (lady) performers gracefully demonstrating the traditional dances of Hawaii.