SAIL Amsterdam is a phenomenal maritime event that takes place every five years in the beautiful city of Amsterdam. It revolves around an armada of monumental sailing ships, which, after a parade through the North Sea Canal, moor along the banks of the IJ and in the large IJ harbors for several days. Mark your calendars because the date for SAIL Amsterdam 2025 has been announced: August 20-24! During this time, the stunning Tall Ships, colorful crews, and millions of visitors from all around the world will once again fill the Amsterdam harbor. And this time, we have even more to celebrate: the 10th edition of SAIL, the 50th anniversary of SAIL, and the 750th birthday of Amsterdam. It’s a triple celebration!
History of Sail Amsterdam
The history of SAIL Amsterdam dates back to 1975 when Tall Ships first came to the capital city of the Netherlands. The event was organized by the Amsterdam port to celebrate the city’s 700th anniversary. Due to its tremendous success, it was decided to repeat SAIL every five years. Over time, SAIL has grown into the largest freely accessible event in the Netherlands. Take a look below at the highlights of the past nine editions. Now, it’s time for a jubilee: in 2025, we will celebrate the 10th edition of SAIL together!
Sail Amsterdam is every 5 year
SAIL Amsterdam takes place once every five years and is one of the largest events in the city. The tenth edition will kick off in August 2025. An enormous fleet of large ships and various other special vessels will sail across the IJ and dock near the city center. Sail 2025 coincides with two other jubilees: the 50th anniversary of SAIL (which was first organized in 1975) and the 750th anniversary of the city of Amsterdam. It’s a triple celebration, and festivities will be in full swing.
During SAIL Amsterdam, you can immerse yourself in the magic of maritime nautical heritage and learn more about the rich history of Dutch seafaring and ports, which continue to play a vital role in the Dutch economy. There are various major and minor events to visit around the IJ harbor, and you can even step on board old and new ships to get a closer look at what life was like at sea. It’s a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the sailors who traversed the world’s oceans centuries ago.
How popular is Sail Amsterdam?
SAIL Amsterdam attracts a significant number of visitors. During the 2015 edition, the number of visitors was record-breaking. While the initially reported number of 1.7 million visitors for the 2010 edition was later revised, the Amsterdam Tourism & Convention Board estimated that 1.8 million visitors attended the event in 2015. While SAIL Amsterdam does not have a specific target number of visitors, organizers anticipated that the event could attract around 2 million attendees.
In 2015, SAIL Amsterdam proudly proclaimed itself as the largest public event in the Netherlands. Efforts were made, in collaboration with the municipality, to improve the counting of visitors, particularly due to safety concerns. At the end of the event, it was announced that the 2015 edition had approximately 2.3 million visitors over the five days.
No Sail Amsterdam in 2020…
Unfortunately, SAIL Amsterdam 2020 did not take place due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. SAIL respected the necessary measures imposed by the authorities. SAIL couldn’t organize the event due to the ban on large gatherings until September 1, 2020.
After consulting with the Municipality of Amsterdam, Port of Amsterdam, Province of North Holland, and other partners, we made the difficult decision to postpone SAIL until 2025.
More information about Sail Amsterdam 2025
For more information, visit the SAIL website. SAIL Amsterdam 2025 promises to be an extraordinary celebration. The convergence of the tenth edition of SAIL, the event’s 50th anniversary, and Amsterdam’s 750th birthday creates a truly historic and unique moment. It’s an experience that shouldn’t be missed. The maritime spectacle will once again capture the heart of the city as an impressive fleet of large ships and various other special vessels sail across the IJ and dock near the bustling city center. It will be a festive occasion that will enchant both locals and visitors from around the world.
Mark your calendars for SAIL Amsterdam 2025 if you want to witness this unforgettable event. Immerse yourself in the magic of Dutch maritime heritage. Don’t miss out on this opportunity! It’s an experience you won’t want to miss!
