Operation Sail is the maritime celebration planned for America250 and also known as OpSail 2026.
Operation Sail organizes large gatherings and maritime events involving tall ships. For the 2026 semiquincentennial, invited vessels are expected to make port calls and participate in activities in several U.S. coastal cities.
The planned 2026 schedule includes New Orleans, Norfolk, Baltimore, New York City, and Boston. The New York events are scheduled around July 4, linking the tall-ship gathering directly with the main anniversary date.
Operation Sail has historical precedent. Earlier OpSail events helped mark major national milestones, including the 1976 bicentennial. The 2026 observance is intended to continue that tradition with an international maritime component.