WELCOME!
Welcome to the 41st Annual Gloucester Schooner Festival! This year, the festival starts on Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 and concludes with the schooner race on Sunday, August 31st, 2025. This capstone to the summer is steeped in history and jam-packed with events and opportunities to get up-close and personal with these beautiful ships. The Gloucester Schooner Festival has become a Labor Day weekend tradition for thousands of people every year and we hope you will join us in this year's historic festivities!
The Gloucester Schooner Festival is put on by Maritime Gloucester. Every year schooners from all over travel to Gloucester Harbor to participate in a weekend like no other. Whether under sail, chartering, racing, or as a dock-side attraction, these magnificent vessels have thrilled audiences each and every year for the past 40 years. This website is designed to offer all the information you will need to plan an exciting weekend on and off the water.
Russ Smith Scholarship Fund
Russ Smith was an involved member of the Gloucester Schooner Festival committee and instrumental in the development of the a GSF scholarship fund. This fund is geared toward providing Cape Ann youth with the opportunity to develop maritime skills. Started in 2012 we now endeavor to raise funds to continue his legacy.
Maritime Apprenticeship Program
The Maritime Apprenticeship Program provides young cadets with the opportunity to learn first hand how to handle, maintain, and command a vessel. Through a partnership with Maritime Heritage Charters, we are able to teach them the best way possible, by doing it in real world situations. We have graduated 9 captains to date in 3 short years.
2025 Dates: Wednesday, Aug 27th - Sunday, August 31st
Contact Us At: Schooner@MaritimeGloucester.org