Overview

• Around 50 tall ships and roughly 700 historic vessels from many countries are now berthed in the IJ for the five-day festival.
• Organizers expect 2.3 to 2.5 million visitors over the program of waterfront events.
• The flotilla sailed from IJmuiden up the North Sea Canal, with the clipper Stad Amsterdam signaling the start as orange smoke rose, cannon salutes sounded, and national anthems played.
• Harbour master Milembe Mateyo called the Sail-in Parade the festival’s most challenging moment due to intense media attention and swarms of spectator boats.
• Visitors can board ships, join waterfront concerts and crew parades in the coming days, with a second grand parade taking the fleet back to sea on Sunday.