The Tall Ships Return to Toronto Waterfront Festival

STV Fair Jeanne registered in Ottawa and operated by Bytown Brigantine

Apr 10, 2025

The award winning Toronto Waterfront Festival, presented by Redpath, is thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of the Tall Ships to Toronto’s Waterfront. From June 28-29, 2025,  a fleet of historic tall ships will be docked at Sugar Beach to celebrate the start of summer.

The 2025 fleet will be comprised of all schooners and include three ships that have never visited Toronto before: Lettie G. Howard, built in 1893 and a ‘living history’ vessel for education and sail training; Ernestina-Morrissey, known for her unique place in immigration history; and Liberty Clipper, named after John Hancock’s revolutionary-era ship. Returning favorites include the Empire Sandy, Canada’s largest passenger ship of her kind, and Pride of Baltimore II, which has visited over 200 ports in 40 countries.

“We are incredibly excited to welcome the tall ships back to Toronto’s waterfront,” says Michael Riehl, Chair of Water’s Edge Festivals & Events. “It’s been six years since Torontonians and visitors have had the opportunity to tour these unique ships. Each of these iconic vessels has a unique story to tell, and we’re thrilled to give our visitors the chance to experience them firsthand.”

The Lettie G Howard by Nelson Michael Chin

The full 2025 fleet will include:

  • Empire Sandy: Canada’s largest tall ship of her kind.
  • Ernestina-Morrissey: Known for her unique place in immigration history.
  • Liberty Clipper: Named after John Hancock’s revolutionary-era ship.
  • Pride of Baltimore II, presented by Menkes: Has visited over 200 ports in 40 countries.
  • Lettie G. Howard: built in 1893 and one of the last surviving fishing schooners from the U.S.
  • Canadian Coast Guard:  Vessel TBC

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