Harlingen is the host port of the Tall Ships Races, the largest international ocean races for old traditional sailing ships, the tall ships, from 3 to 6 July. Around 40 tall ships will call at Harlingen during this first weekend of July. During Sail Harlingen, it will be four days of music, street theatre, markets, food trucks and, of course, the tall ships as the big centrepiece of the event. The organisers expect around 300,000 visitors. This makes Sail Harlingen the biggest public event in the Northern Netherlands next summer.

The Tall Ships Races will be organised for the 70th time this year. ‘A great milestone that we will of course celebrate. In it, we want to give history and heritage a special place,’ says Lieuwe Krol, director of Sail Harlingen. ‘In addition, Harlingen is hosting this major international event for the fourth time. Every edition we look for innovation, such as this year's opening concert on Thursday evening 2 July. Some of the tall ships will already be in the Harlingen Harbour by then. From the shore and the water, you can enjoy the Marine Band with vocalists such as Floor Jansen. It's a kind of canal concert, but in our outer harbour.’

Trainees

The Tall Ships Races start in Aarhus in Denmark on 24 June. Harlingen is the second host city. After Harlingen, the tall ships will call at Antwerp and Stavanger. On 30 July, the race ends in Aalborg. What is unique about the Tall Ships Races is that young people between 15 and 25 years old can sail a leg as trainee on board one of the tall ships. On board, they learn all kinds of new skills, take leadership, gain self-confidence and make international friendships.

Experience Sail Harlingen from the water

Board one of the world's largest tall ships or one of the traditional sailing ships from the Historic Sailing Vessels and experience Sail Harlingen from the water. Feel the sun on your face, the wind through your hair and hear the unique sounds of the Wadden Sea. Enjoy an unforgettable sailing trip!