The Event of the Summer

Every five years thousands of boats gather in Amsterdam for SAIL, including beautiful old tall ships. Tall Ship is a collective term for various types and sizes of wooden sailing boats, including the enormous three-masted ships with huge sails to elegant schooners that speed through the sea. The IJ-river gets filled up with these ships, and this attracts millions of admirers and visitors.

SAIL Amsterdam is one of the biggest nautical events in the world, and definitely the most iconic, and this year is going to be an extra special edition. It’s also Amsterdam’s 750th birthday, and since SAIL 2020 got cancelled, this year marks the 10th edition of the event as well. Aside from watching ships there will be festivities and events all across the city, so come to Amsterdam to celebrate this extraordinary event.

When is SAIL Amsterdam 2025?

SAIL is from 20th of August 2025 to 24th of August 2025, four days in peak summer, for a sunny sailing (if the weather allows). On Wednesday the 20th, all the boats participating in SAIL are entering Amsterdam from the Noordzeekanaal, sailing to the IJ river to anchor there or sail around and show off.

The next few days they moored to the quays or sail around, and on the 24th in the afternoon they will leave again. In the meantime, people can witness all the ships from up close, even visit some and get tours, and enjoy cruises, tours, activities and even live music in honour of SAIL 2025.

What is there to do?

SAIL Amsterdam is of course about ships, and the main attraction is the ships themselves, from majestic tall ships to the many boats sailing along. A lot of people just visit the city to watch these ships from the waterside, but there are many more options.

Climbing aboard tall ships and admire them from on board
Take cruises on the river and watch the ships from up close
Visit exciting and interesting events, and activities and programs related to SAIL
Visit SAIL On Stage, a huge live music event with a different type of music every day
Witness the pieremachocheltocht, the weird boat ride on the canals of Amsterdam
Sail with your own boat (where allowed)
Get on board the ferris wheel, raised on the head Java-Eiland just for SAIL 2025, and admire the amazing views

And many more activities will be announced over time! We will dive into some of the activities further in this article.

Where to go for SAIL 2025?

SAIL takes place on and around the IJ river, which separates the north of Amsterdam from the rest of the city. Most tall ships will moor around Java-Eiland, the artificial islands and their high walls are the perfect landing spot for tall ships. On Java-Eiland you can also find the huge ferris wheel, right at the head, where you can get high up and admire all the tall ships from the sky. However, the whole IJ river fills up with boats for five days, from NDSM to Oranjehaven. SAIL On Stage will take place at NDSM, and there are activities and stages all along the IJ watersides.

How to get around? Most of the watersides are lined with walkways, especially on the side of the city centre, so walking from A to B is perfectly doable. Public transport, including the free ferries across the IJ, will be running as normal, so the north of Amsterdam is easily reachable as well. However, any transport near the IJ and Amsterdam Central Station will probably very busy, so keep that in mind.

Of course, the best way to see SAIL is from the water. It is allowed to take your own boat to SAIL, which many locals and visitors do. This is of course bound by rules and speed limits, a permit is required, and longer ships need special permission. Buying an inflatable row boat and heading onto the river is of course not allowed, way too unsafe.

However, many tour operators, boat owners and other organisations are hosting SAIL tours and cruises, so a professional can lead you onto the water safely and navigate the crowded waters. At Tours & Tickets we’ve partnered up with LOVERS Canal Cruises, who offer a great selection of SAIL 2025 cruises, so check those out.

Do I need tickets for SAIL 2025?

To watch the Tall Ships and other boats of SAIL 2025 you don’t need tickets. The waterside is freely accessible, and if you own a boat with permit, you’re free to sail around, so just visiting SAIL to have a look is completely free. The many festivities along the waterside are also free, and a lively atmosphere is guaranteed, you can explore many things without spending any money. There are markets, demonstrations of sailing related crafts, waterside music performances, a kids’ village and much more.

If you want a closer look, or visit certain shows, you will have to buy tickets. Guided tours on tall ships, and special events often require tickets, and the concerts of SAIL On Stage as well. Check the official SAIL website for details per event. Boat tours are also paid, and are selling out fast, so get your SAIL cruise tickets quick! Feeling fancy? LOVERS offers an extra long luxury cruise, with open bar, that goes right through the heart of the event.

What is the SAIL 2025 program?

Day 1 - Wednesday 20 August

On Wednesday August 20 the main event is the famous SAIL-In, during which all the ships arrive and moor at their docks. All the ships enter Amsterdam from IJmuiden, and sail along the North Sea Channel onto the IJ River. The 22 kilometer route takes about three hours to complete for a tall ship, with the first boats arriving in Amsterdam at about 2pm, which goes on for the entire evening. Every Tall Ship gets greeted with two cannon shots and the national anthem of its home country. This is the main event of the day, and many people come to Amsterdam just to witness this massive spectacle.

In the evening, SAIL On Stage offers a show of Concertgebouw Orchestra Young, the young division of the orchestra of the Netherlands’ most prestigious concert hall. They perform classical and contemporary music from all corners of the world, and are joined by soloists Karsu, Laetitia Gerards and Lucas van Lierop. At the end of the evening SAIL is lit up with a show with light, music and fireworks all along the IJ, starting at 22.30 and ending with a bang at 23.00.

Day 2 - Thursday 21 August

Thursday the 21th is the first day you can visit the tall ships. Step aboard, or take a guided tour, admire them from up close. All Tall Ships that participate are open for visitors, you can step aboard, meet the crews, and learn all about life on deck and about all the adventures the ships have been on. All ships are open during the day, and some stay open for visitors till 11pm. This can of course also be done on Friday and Saturday, and Sunday morning till noon.

Another highlight is the pieremachocheltocht, the weird boat parade in the Amsterdam canals. This parade is for whatever floats a boat, from couches with engines to entire sailing artworks. Pieremachochel is an old Dutch word for an unconventional boat, and the Dutch know their way with these. The parade goes through the heart of the city, but safely avoids the IJ river, so make sure you’re at the right spot to admire these marvels of invention.

For musical entertainment there is live music at Kop Van Java, the head of Java-Eiland, where on Thursday there’s an emphasis on classical music, performed by the Marine Band of the Dutch Royal Navy, and at night at SAIL On Stage it’s the Dutch music night, with artists such as Jan Smit and 3J’s.

And just as each night, there is a fireworks show finishing off the festivities along the IJ River. Looking to admire the show up close? LOVERS Canal Cruises offers a night cruise with drinks through the heart of SAIL, where you can see the ships and fireworks from the best spot, right from the river.

Day 3 - Friday 22 August

On this day you can also visit the tall ships. Enjoy a guided tour by the crew, walk the markets, or take a pleasant cruise from Central Station to get up close on the IJ River, there is plenty to see. In the morning, a lineup of ferries that formerly used to sail the IJ River line up for a tour. The ferries are an important part of Amsterdam’s transport system, connecting the north to the rest of the city, and this is a tribute to this long lasting tradition.

From 15.00 to 17.00 there is the Crew Parade of SAIL 2025, in which thousands of crew members of all kinds of ships gather on Dam Square for a march with music and performances, as a tribute to sailors around the world. A huge spectacle that takes SAIL onto land and into the city.

At night, SAIL On Stage is focused on electronic music, several big names in the Dutch electronic music world are turning the NDSM area into a huge dance floor. The lineup is not announced yet, but it’s promising to become an incredible party. And of course, at the end of the night a different fireworks show will light up Amsterdam!

Day 4 - Saturday 23 August

On the fourth day of SAIL the festivities continue. Of course, all ships are still accessible to the public, and the IJ River is filled with boats, from tour boats to people’s personal sloops and sailboats. All boats are welcome during SAIL, so boat owners from the whole country and beyond visit the city to enjoy the festivities and show off their own ships, no matter how big or small.

Saturday will probably be very busy, and there are watersports demonstrations, concerts on several stages, and activities all around. For the full programme check out the SAIL app, which has all the activities that are announced so far. Or just head into town of course, enjoy the festivities.

At night SAIL On Stage combines all kinds of musical styles into one big concert, Waves Of Music, with stars like Davina Michelle, Rolf Sanchez, Numidia and many more. And since it’s the last night, the fireworks show is extra spectacular, so make sure you get to the waterside or on a boat.

Day 5- Sunday 25 August

Sunday is centered around the SAIL-Out parade, during which the ships of the festival leave the city again, in another spectacular parade. From 10.00 to 12.00 in the morning you can still visit the tall ships, but at noon they start packing up and raising their sails, to sail back to the North Sea from 14.00. Wave goodbye to the ships from the waterside, watch the spectacular goodbye show, or sail along with a SAIL-Out cruise all the way to IJmuiden and back. As the ships disappear on the horizon Amsterdam turns back to normal, until in five years, for the next edition of SAIL.

Get ready to SAIL

SAIL Amsterdam is one of the biggest nautical events in the world, with more than 2 million visitors each time, and this year is going to be more spectacular than ever. Amsterdam’s waters are going to be overflowing with boats, including the worlds’ most spectacular tall ships, from sailboats that crossed the oceans to modern sailboats that win races. Be sure to not miss out on this spectacle. SAIL is a festival on a massive scale, with more activities announced every day. Check the SAIL app for maps and timetables, book your tickets to shows, boat tours and cruises. Get ready to enjoy the magic of sailing right from the heart of Amsterdam!