More than 50 tall ships from around the world arrived in Boston Harbor as thousands lined the waterfront for Sail Boston’s Parade of Sail, the marquee opening of the Sail250 celebration.
Saturday also starts five days of public boarding and maritime education programs focused on U.S. and international seafaring history, turning the parade into a weeklong visitor event.
Mayflower II sailed from Plymouth to join the festivities, while the USS Arlington had already docked at Black Falcon Terminal after ships passed through the Cape Cod Canal under a fireboat salute.
Two nights of fireworks are scheduled for Saturday and Wednesday, the Sail Boston Cup soccer tournament follows on Tuesday, and the fleet departs Thursday.