Gloucester’s hugely popular Tall Ships festival makes its much-anticipated return over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend this Friday 3 to Sunday 5 June 2022.
With ship shape shenanigans spread across three days, the programme promises free family fun for maritime enthusiasts of all ages down at Gloucester Docks and throughout the city centre.
As well as admiring the beautiful, historic ships pulling into port over the weekend, visitors can see sand sculptors, gravity-defying flyboard stunts and battle re-enactments; ride on a vintage fairground; and enjoy live music performances spanning everything from traditional sea shanties to local artists.
Nautical nuts have the rare opportunity to step on board some of the spectacular visiting vessels and meet the crews that man them, as well as paying a visit to the nearby National Waterways Museum, with the festival’s brand-new boarding pass and boarding pass plus.
While adventurous visitors can take to the water themselves with The Canal and River Trust offering paddling sessions and boat trips throughout the weekend.
For anyone shopping for seafaring souvenirs, over 130 traders will be lining High Orchard Street, Llanthony Road and Orchard Square outside Gloucester Quays, too, showcasing the finest local produce and artisan crafts from the south west to take home.
Gloucester Tall Ships Festival is free to attend, with boarding passes for admission to the ships costing £5 each – or £7.50 with admission to the National Waterways Museum.
