The 31st annual Salem Maritime Festival is August 3 & 4, 2019!
Hosted by Salem Maritime National Historic Site in cooperation with Essex Heritage and Eastern National, the Salem Maritime Festival features live music and dance, harbor cruises, interactive programs, arts, crafts, and more! Free!
Dates and Times:
Saturday, 10am-5pm, Music continues until 8:30pm
Sunday, 11am-4pm
Event Contact Information:
Salem Visitor Center (978) 740-1650
2018 Performance Schedule
Design and Artwork by Cailee Mitchell, Montserrat College of Art
Live Music and Entertainment
The 2019 performer schedule is shaping up with these featured artists already confirmed:
Saturday, August 3
Three Sheets to the Wind
The Fitzgerald's
Mamadou
Josean Jacabo & Tumbao
Check out last year's music and performer schedule on the official 2018 Salem Maritime Festival poster pictured right! (Designed by Montserrat College Of Art student Cailee Mitchell)
Schooner Fame off Derby Wharf.
NPS Photo
Ships, Schooners, Dorys, and Boats!
One of the most popular features of the festival are the free harbor cruises (passengers chosen through a lottery system). Stay tuned for our 2019 schedule!
The 2018 lineup included: Schooner Ardelle, Catamaran Endeavour , Schooner Fame, When and If yacht, and Schooner Roseway.
Girl holds 17th century style sword.
NPS Photo
Demonstrations, Exhibits, Activities
Last year's Maritime Festival includes over 40 exhibitors with a variety of demonstrations, including:
Artemisina Botanicals - Soap Making
Bill Feeney - Scrimshaw Demo
Bow Seat - Ocean Awareness Programs
Cailee Mitchell - Montserrat College of Art - Poster Signing
Chuck Walker - Powder Horn and Knife Making
Dave Heisler - Wagon Rides
Dennis and Sally Hamel - Spinning and Weaving
Geraldine Brancato - Spinning Wheel Demo
Grace Neale - Candlemaking
Greg Morin - 18th Century Ship Doctor/Surgeon
Harbormaster - Boating Safety
Historic Derby Street Association - Information
Historic New England - Sailor Valentines
House of the Seven Gables - Penmanship and Historic Writing with Quill & Ink
Jennifer Roy - Irish Indentured Servant
Lady of Salem Committee - Salem's Painted Figure Heads
Larry Leonard - Tin Maker
Linda Corcoran - Chair Canning
Linda Lane - Bobbin Lace Maker
Lowell National Historical Park - Weaving and Make-and-Take Coaster
Marine Modelers Club of New England - Remote Control Tug Boats
Marline Spike Knots - Knot Tying
Mary Ellen Smiley - Basketry and Guitar-Making
Miquel Cruz - Painting a 16' Mural On-Site
National Park Service Volunteers of Friendship of Salem - Trade Goods, Custom House Scale, Rope Making, & Jolly Boat Rowing
National Parks on the Air (NPOTA) American Amateur Radio League (AARL) - HF Radio
New Bedford Whaling Museum - Demonstrate Whaling Skills
New England Aquarium - Tide Pool
New England Lace Group - Lace Making
Norumbega Canoe - Builds Canoe
Ould Colony Artisans - Sign Making
ParkEd Team of Salem Maritime and Saugus Iron Works - Fish Prints and Boat Making
Peabody Essex Museum - Wild Designs Inspired by Nature
Richard Wright - Blacksmith, Tool Making
Rock, Paddle, Surf - Kayaking and Paddle Boarding
R. P. Raiselis Cooperage - Wooden Barrel Making
Salem Arts Association - Plein Air Painting
Salem Marine Society - Ship Cabin Tours at the Hawthorne Hotel
Salem Recycles - Why Recycle?
Salem Sound Coastwatch - Low Tide Muck Walk
Salem Trayned Band - Militia Demonstration
Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site - Caribbean Cooking in the 18th Century
Sea Side Kites - Make and Fly Kites for All Ages
Sheila Billings - Salem Artist - Figure Head Painting
Sonal Pitale - Henna Art of the Mid-East
USS Constitution - Crew Battle Demonstrations
YMCA - Program Presentation
Zoo New England (Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo) - Live Animal Encounters