Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival marks 10th anniversary at Balboa Yacht Club

Spirit of Dana Point © Balboa Yacht Club

The Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival will celebrate its 10th anniversary with events and activities open to the public on Friday, June 12 & 13, 2026, at the Balboa Yacht Club.

Hosted by the Club and supported by the City of Newport Beach, Visit Newport Beach, and additional community sponsors, the community event welcomes the public on Saturday, June 13, from 10 am to 5 pm and highlights the craftsmanship, design, and maritime heritage associated with classic wooden boats.

The festival will be held at Balboa Yacht Club, located at 1801 Bayside Drive in Corona del Mar, and offers a rare opportunity for the public to experience a private waterfront venue while viewing a curated collection of 30 - 40 wooden-hull vessels. The Concours d'Elegance-style display will feature a range of classic powerboats, sailboats, and custom wooden craft, many of which have been carefully restored or preserved by their owners. In addition to simply viewing and enjoying the beauty of these boats, visitors will be able to walk the docks, speak with boat owners and builders, and, if one really wants to dig in, learn more about traditional construction methods, materials, and ongoing restoration efforts that help keep these vessels beautiful and on the water.

The featured vessel for the 2026 festival is the Tall Ship Spirit of Dana Point, operated by the Ocean Institute of Dana Point, CA. This replica of a 1770s privateer schooner measuring approximately 118 feet overall represents the design and function of historic coastal trading and patrol vessels used during the Revolutionary War. The ship also has a strong local connection, having been originally constructed in Newport Beach when the Tall Ship was known as the Pilgrim of Newport. Its appearance at the festival welcomes the Ship back to her original home in Newport Harbor for all to enjoy and reminisce, and reflects the region's long-standing relationship with maritime education and shipbuilding. She will also be open to the public on Saturday, June 13, for boarding and docent-led tours.

In addition to the dockside exhibits, the festival will offer a full schedule of activities throughout the day. 20-minute Gondola harbor cruises will be available, along with maritime education displays, community and vendor booths, and opportunities to learn about local boating and coastal programs. Live music will be presented throughout the event, and a variety of food and beverage options will be available for purchase on site.

Family participation is a central part of the event. Children's programming will include hands-on activities such as toy boat building and interactive learning stations designed to introduce younger visitors to basic boating and marine concepts. The event is designed to appeal to both boating enthusiasts and community members looking for a waterfront family outing.

Admission is $10 per person, and children ages 12 and under are admitted free. Gondola rides will be ticketed the day of the event at $20 per person. Parking will be available off-site with a complimentary shuttle service to the Club. Event details, including schedules, transportation information, and participating exhibitors, can be found at www.newportbeachwoodenboatfestival.com.

Now in its tenth year, the Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival has grown into a community event that celebrates the region's boating culture while providing public access to the waterfront setting of Balboa Yacht Club.