Clipper Race Fleet Week brings ten ocean racing yachts to The Wharf in DC this June. Entry is free for all!
The Wharf Welcomes the World This June
Events DC presents Clipper Race Fleet Week at The Wharf from June 18 through 22, 2026. Ten 70-foot yachts have circled the planet across a 40,000-nautical-mile course, and DC serves as their only East Coast stop.
The fleet left Portsmouth, England, in August 2025. Since then, crews have battled oceans, storms, and time zones to reach our waterfront. Now visitors can tour the boats, meet the sailors, and take in live music, cultural performances, and family activities along Recreation Pier. Best of all, every activity is family-friendly and free to attend!
Step Aboard a Clipper 70 Yacht
Public yacht tours run Thursday, June 18, through Saturday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Climb below deck and picture life at a 40-degree angle, thousands of miles from land. See the nav station, the galley, and the cramped bunks where twenty crew members live at sea. Above deck, take the helm or test a winch built to raise sails up a 95-foot mast.
Race crew hosts every tour, so questions about training and ports get firsthand answers. Each visit takes roughly 30 minutes. Walk-ins are welcome, yet reservations are recommended. The marina entrance sits beside Limani restaurant at 670 Wharf Street, so reserve your spot and skip the line.
Fireworks Cap the Monday Send-Off
The celebration saves its biggest night for Monday, June 22! Departure festivities open at 6 p.m. with international stage performances and DJs. A slipping lines ceremony follows at 8:15 p.m. Then, at 9 p.m., the Parade of Sail and a fireworks display light up the water.
Events DC sponsors Team Washington, DC, captained by skipper Ella Hebron (pictured above) and first mate Faith Nordbruch. Boat fans get firsthand tours, one-on-one talks with crews, and every favorite Wharf restaurant within steps. What a reason to start the week! Partners, including Hell’s Kitchen, Kilwins, DC Brau, and Giant Food, round out the round-the-world festivities.
Plan Your Visit to The Wharf
The Wharf sits along DC’s Southwest waterfront, easy to reach by Metro, bike, car, or foot. Tours and activities gather on Recreation Pier, while dockside dining waits just steps away. So pack sunscreen, grab dinner on the water, and stay through the fireworks.
Join us at The Wharf for Clipper Race Fleet Week! Bring your friends and family, claim your spot along the rail, and enjoy all the festivities—yacht tours, food, and fireworks. Don’t miss this unique waterfront experience, and let us know what you take away from this unforgettable event!
Location: The Wharf Marina, 670 Wharf Street Southwest, Washington, DC 20024. Cost: Free.
