Amsterdam’s iconic waterways were transformed into a living museum on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, as hundreds of historic ships—some with sails billowing, others powered by steam—glided up the North Sea Canal and into the heart of the city. This grand spectacle marked the opening of Sail Amsterdam, a five-day maritime festival that celebrates the Dutch capital’s storied seafaring past and its vibrant international connections. The event, now in its 10th edition, is a highlight of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary celebrations and is expected to draw between 2.3 and 2.5 million visitors, according to AFP.
The festival’s opening Sail-in Parade began in IJmuiden, a port on the North Sea coast. Shortly after 10:00 am, the first ships passed through the massive sea locks, embarking on a 25-kilometre (15.5-mile) journey inland. The flotilla, which stretched for nearly 10 kilometres, included an impressive array of vessels: majestic tall ships from Peru, Uruguay, Germany, and France; naval training crafts; steamships; classic sailing heritage boats; and a swarm of recreational vessels that eagerly joined the procession. As the ships made their stately way toward Amsterdam’s IJ harbour, thousands of spectators lined the canal, waving flags and cheering on the crews, reported AFP.
The atmosphere was electric as families perched atop camper vans, children leaned over canal barriers, and pensioners—some of whom had witnessed previous editions—waved enthusiastically. The tall ships, upon reaching the IJ harbour behind Amsterdam’s Central Station, were greeted with cannon salutes and lively music, creating a scene that felt both historic and festive. According to the Associated Press, “a flotilla of hundreds of historic ships sailed into Amsterdam on Wednesday to mark the start of a five-day festival celebrating the Dutch capital’s maritime history.”
For many, Sail Amsterdam is more than just a festival; it’s a cherished tradition. Siep de Haan, 60, told AFP, “We love boat parades. We invented the pride boat parade here in Amsterdam 30 years ago and 10 years ago I saw here my first sail and now I’m addicted to the whole thing.” Another attendee, Daniel Top, 28, shared his own connection: “It’s always a fun family event for us. Maybe we’ll go out on the water later in the week with a little boat to see the ships from the water.”
This year’s festival is particularly significant. Not only does it mark the city’s 750th anniversary, but it also represents a return after a decade-long hiatus—Sail Amsterdam was last held in 2015, as the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event was first organized in 1975 to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th birthday and has since become a quinquennial highlight for locals and tourists alike, according to AFP.
The 2025 edition features around 50 tall ships and 700 historic vessels, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind in the world. The theme this year, “United by Waves,” was chosen in response to the current climate of global tensions. Sail Amsterdam chairman Arie Jan de Waard explained to AFP, “It’s important that we connect through the water and through the cultures on the ships and the crews who gather here in Amsterdam. I think that’s very, very important.”
Organizing such a massive event is no small feat. Harbour master Milembe Mateyo described the Sail-in Parade as the most challenging moment of the festival. “There’s a lot of press, there are an extreme amount of boats who want to see it, a lot of people in high places who want to be there, so that is the most (challenging),” she told AFP. “Once that is safely over, I can finally sleep and enjoy the rest of the festival.”
The festival offers more than just a visual feast. Over the coming days, visitors have the opportunity to board the tall ships, mingle with international crew members during a city-center parade, and attend a variety of concerts and receptions along Amsterdam’s bustling waterfront. The event’s inclusive spirit is further embodied in its lighter traditions, such as the piramide—an exuberant contest where locals float homemade rafts, cobbled together from whatever materials they can find, down the waterway. Few rafts make it to the finish line, but as AFP notes, “the point is spectacle rather than seamanship.”
On Sunday, August 24, the festival will culminate with a second grand parade, as the vessels sail back out to sea in a farewell procession. This closing event promises to be as stirring as the opening, drawing crowds eager to catch one last glimpse of the magnificent ships as they depart.
The roots of Sail Amsterdam run deep in the city’s history. Amsterdam’s rise as a global trading hub in the 17th century—the so-called Dutch Golden Age—was built on its maritime prowess. The city’s canals and harbors bustled with merchant ships, explorers, and naval fleets, all contributing to Amsterdam’s wealth and cosmopolitan character. Festivals like Sail Amsterdam serve as a living reminder of this heritage, connecting past and present in a way that feels tangible and immediate.
But there’s also a contemporary message woven into the festivities. The theme “United by Waves” speaks to the power of water to connect people across cultures and continents, a sentiment that resonates in a world often marked by division. By bringing together ships and crews from around the globe, Sail Amsterdam offers a hopeful vision of international cooperation and shared celebration—a reminder that, as de Waard put it, “we connect through the water and through the cultures on the ships.”
As the city’s 750th anniversary unfolds, Sail Amsterdam stands out as a testament to both tradition and renewal. For the millions expected to visit, and for the generations of Amsterdammers who have watched the tall ships glide past their doorsteps, the festival is a moment to reflect, to celebrate, and—above all—to come together.
With the sails unfurled and the city’s waterways alive with history, Amsterdam’s maritime festival once again proves that some traditions are best experienced in person, surrounded by the sights, sounds, and stories of the sea.
