Ocean Institute’s 41st Annual Maritime Festival

Dana Point, CA| July 29, 2025— Ocean Institute’s 41st Annual Maritime Festival returns to
Dana Point Harbor from September 12–14, 2025, with a wave of exciting new experiences
that reimagine what this beloved Southern California tradition can offer. While tall ships,
cannon battles, and hands-on maritime fun remain at the heart of the celebration, this
year’s festival introduces brand new attractions designed to delight guests of all ages and
bring fresh energy to the waterfront.

Leading the festival’s new additions is the Californian, the Official Tall Ship of the State of
California, making her debut appearance in Dana Point Harbor. Built in San Diego in 1984,
the Californian is a replica of a Gold Rush-era cutter and offers visitors a rare opportunity
to step aboard a living piece of the state’s maritime heritage. Her arrival expands the
festival fleet and marks a major addition to the weekend’s historic offerings.
Also new this year is the Mermaid and Mateys Breakfast, a whimsical morning experience
where guests will dine with real mermaids and pirates. This ticketed event includes a
beautifully curated brunch board, a live mermaid swim show, sword fighting lessons led by
lively pirates, engaging story time, and photo opportunities with costumed characters.
Every ticket includes a Festival Adventure Pass, granting access to even more festival
activities throughout the day.

Rounding out this year’s exciting additions is the U.S. debut of the American Burger Cup,
an international food competition originally launched in Spain. This high energy showdown
invites festival attendees and beachgoers to enjoy burger creations from local food trucks
and cast their vote for the best. The competition kicks off Friday at 12 PM in a free area of
the festival, adding a flavorful twist to the weekend’s festivities.

“We’re thrilled to see this festival grow and evolve while still staying true to its roots,” said
Mike Killebrew, Dana Point City Manager and Ocean Institute Board Member. “The
Maritime Festival is one of the most anticipated weekends of the year, bringing locals and
visitors together in celebration of our harbor’s rich cultural and natural heritage.”

These exciting new experiences build on the festival’s reputation as one of Southern
California’s most cherished community events. Returning favorites include the interactive
School for Scallywags, where young adventurers learn the ways of the pirate life; the enchanting Mermaid Tea, where guests can sip on specialty teas in the company of mermaids; and the always popular Sails N’ Ales kickoff party on Friday evening, featuring live music, craft brews from nine local breweries, panoramic harbor views, and Friday’s first round of thrilling cannon battles to set the tone for the weekend.

“The Maritime Festival is a long-standing celebration in the harbor, inviting people to dive into Dana Point’s rich maritime history,” said Riley Russell, Director of Education and Operations at Ocean Institute. “This year, we’re building on that legacy with exciting new activities and experiences that bring fresh energy to the festival, while still honoring fan favorites like tall ships, mermaids, and local vendors. It’s a dynamic blend of tradition and new possibilities that celebrates our history and deepens our connection to the ocean.”

Visitors can enjoy cannon battles aboard historic tall ships, mermaid swim shows, pirate performances, artisan shopping, and family-friendly activities like gold panning in the Maritime Village, all set against a weekend of nonstop harbor front entertainment. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Ocean Institute’s Adopt-A-Class program, which brings hands-on STEM education to students from underserved schools across California and beyond.
With thrilling new experiences on deck and a mission rooted in impact, the 41st Annual Maritime Festival promises to be the most dynamic celebration yet. Tickets, schedules, and full event details are available at maritime-festival.org. The Ocean Institute, founded in 1977, is a community-based 501(c)(3) organization that educates 100,000 children, teachers, parents, and visitors annually through over 60 marine science and maritime history programs. We are located on 2.4 acres in the Dana Point Harbor, adjacent to a Marine Protected Area. The facility is an ocean education center that offers in-depth marine science and maritime history programs.

The Institute includes state-of-the-art teaching labs, the spectacular Maddie James Seaside Learning Center, a historic tall ship, and an oceanographic research vessel. Immersion-based fi eld trips range from one-hour science labs to multi-day programs at sea. All programs are designed to maximize immersion, spark curiosity, and inspire a deep commitment to learning.