Friday, September 11 – Sunday, September 13, 2026
Set sail into Dana Point’s rich maritime history at the Ocean Institute’s 42nd Annual Maritime Festival, a beloved community tradition celebrating tall ships, the sea, and everything in between.
Explore the festival grounds, meet sailor reenactors, check out local marine life, and get up close with stunning tall ships docked in Dana Point Harbor.
Local food trucks, vendors, and a beer garden round out the weekend, along with plenty of hands-on kids’ activities for the whole family.
View the full festival schedule here.
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🎟️ Ticketed experiences include:
- Cannon Battles – Set sail on a historic tall ship! (Friday, Saturday & Sunday)
- Sails ‘N Ales – Kick off the festival with beer-tasting and live music (Friday night)
- Festival Adventure Pass – Access to the main campus and ship tours (Saturday & Sunday)
- Pirate Experiences – Meet real-deal pirates and learn their ways (Saturday & Sunday)
- Mermaid Experiences – Spend time with beautiful mermaids (Saturday & Sunday)
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✅ Free areas and experiences (Saturday & Sunday, Sept 12-13):
- Live Music & Beer Garden – Live bands, games, and a beer garden (10am–5pm)
- Peddler’s Village – Food trucks, vendors, local businesses, and handmade goods (10am–5pm)
- Pirate Adventure Show – Live show aboard Spirit of Dana Point, fun for all ages (10:45am & 1:15pm)
- Sailor Camp – Reenactment sailor camp with living history (10am–5pm)
The Ocean Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and 100% of the weekend’s proceeds go directly back into its operations and mission.
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Before You Go: Visit Ocean Institute’s Maritime Festival website for tickets, the full schedule, and updates. This event is organized by the Ocean Institute. Kidsguide is an independent community resource helping families discover fun events across Southern California.
Looking for more family fun? Explore more family-friendly events on our blog, browse our calendar, check out limited-time exhibits and experiences, or subscribe to our newsletter for weekly updates.
