WORLD SAILING DAY | 28 MAY
What happens on 28 May?
World Sailing Day – 28 May is the single day in the year when sailing becomes the focal point of celebration. Around the world, a wide range of activities take place to mark the day, organised around five main themes.
It’s the day global sailing community comes together to celebrate sailing, its heritage, its community, and its future.
Around the world, individuals, clubs, ports, organisations, and partners host and join a wide range of events and activities – all inspired by our five core themes:
- Participation & Access
- Sustainability & Ocean Stewardship
- Education & Youth Development
- Community & Inclusivity
- Excellence & Achievement
Partners and members are warmly invited to:
- Organise their own events on or around 28 May
- Take part in existing activities
- Engage with the public and encourage new people to discover or return to sailing
On this day we also proudly announce:
- Honour those who have come before us – and who no longer are with us. (see In Memoriam)
- The winners of the World Sailing Day Awards across all categories- from 2027 onwards
All World Sailing Day events – together with hundreds of related activities worldwide – are listed in the Events section of this website. Registered users, members, and partners receive email notifications whenever new events are added.
Add your event today – help make 28 May a true global celebration of sailing.
Join Us !
There are many ways to participate! Start by signing up to recieve updates and news.
You can also become a contributing member by subscribing to be an Affiliate member (Free) or Supporting individual or Company member. All proceeds go to growing World Sailing Day! See the Memberships pagge for more information.
Some of our activities
The things to do on the 28th of May!
NIGHT LIGHTS
The Night Lights Spectacle turns marinas, harbours, ports, rivers and waterfronts into a glowing celebration of sailing.
AWARDS
Each year, the 28 May World Sailing Day Annual Awards recognise and celebrate those, who have left a lasting impact on the world of sailing.
EVENTS
On the 28th of May each year, as well as in the weeks surrounding the day – many events are held globally.
Search for an event near you !
SWEEPSTAKES & RAFFLE
Welcome aboard our World Sailing Day | 28 May Sweepstakes and Raffle Fundraisers, where participation is simple and every entrant has a fair chance to win. Funds are collected and used for activities and for youth sponsorship programs!
Night Lights Spectacle
The Night Lights Spectacle turns marinas, harbours, ports, rivers and waterfronts into a glowing celebration of sailing. Every vessel – big or small – is invited to dress up with lights; along the hull and around the deck, up the rigging and mast, creating a brilliant night spectacle that’s impossible to miss.
This is more than decoration: it’s a signal to the world. A shoreline-wide beacon that says, World Sailing Day – May 28 is here ! and everyone’s invited. Families, friends, visitors and whole communities can come down to the water to see rows of illuminated masts, shimmering reflections, and fleets of lit-up boats either parading slowly or shining proudly from their berths.
Whether you sail or simply love the atmosphere, the Night Lights Spectacle is the moment towns and cities can meet their waterfronts after dark when sailing becomes the show!
The Night Lights Spectacle turns marinas, harbours, ports, rivers and waterfronts into a glowing celebration of sailing. Every vessel-big or small-is invited to dress up with lights and create a shoreline-wide beacon that says: World Sailing Day – May 28 is here.
Come and watch
For Visitors & Families
No boat needed. Come down to the water after dark to see rows of illuminated masts and shimmering reflections across the harbour.
Light up a vessel
For Boat Owners & Crews
Light up your boat, join the line of illuminated masts, and be part of the spectacle – whether you’re in the marina or moving slowly on the water.
Host it (Marina / Yacht Club / Port)
For Marinas & Yacht Clubs
Make your waterfront the front row. Host packs can be ordered
WSD community EVENTS
We come together every year on 28 May, with events taking place around the date and across the season worldwide.
Find something near you – or register an event and put your club, marina, or community on the map.
on the water
Everything from regattas, cruises, flotillas, trial sails Parades and community trips – welcoming both experienced sailors and newcomers.
open days
Tours and open access at marinas, boatyards, museums, training centres and waterfront venues – meet the people behind the harbour.
in the club
Courses, talks, information sessions and club gatherings – strengthen the local sailing community onshore.
for children
Taster sessions, knot-tying, model boats, treasure hunts and water-safety games – designed to spark confidence early.
CITY TO SEA PARADES
Public parades and processions linking town or city centres to marinas and harbours – a visible invitation to the waterfront.
night lights
When the sun goes down, the waterfront becomes the show: light up boats and berths to create a shared beacon for your harbour.
Join the spectacle on the water, or come down to watch reflections, masts and marinas glow after dark.
Dockside Market
A dockside market that turns the club, marina, or harbour into a social meeting point. It can be a sailing swap meet (pre-loved gear, parts, books, charts), a makers’ market (artists, craftspeople, local brands), or a community fundraiser with food and family activities.
CELEBRATIONS
Public-facing waterfront moments: BBQs, parades, flea markets sail-pasts, music, gatherings and harbour moments worth showing up for – onshore or dockside. Enjoy harbour atmosphere, creative programming, and moments that help newcomers understand sailing as a living culture – not just a sport.
Check what type of celebrations are being held near you!
Add your event TO THE WSDO EVENT CALENDAR
In order to register an event on the WSDO Events Calendar, please create a User Account. Once your event has been uploaded, this will be reviewed and when approved will be published on the site.
By submitting your event, you agree to all general terms and conditions of WSDO and website rules for event publication.
Bring your waterfront to life!
Looking for something to do? Browse events near you. Hosting something? Add your event so sailors and visitors can plan ahead – and so your venue shows up on the map.
world sailing day | MAY 28
WORLD SAILING DAY – 28 MAY AWARDS
The World Sailing Day – 28 May Awards have been initiated to recognize annually the advances and great efforts made of those who are active in sailing and whom via their direct activities or via their achievements in their particular fields of endeavour have contributed to the (i) development (ii) promotion and (iii) growth of sailing, the sailing community at large and, or those who have contributed towards the achievements of the sailors themselves.
entries open & close
Open Date: 31/07/26
Close Date: 20/01/27
shortlist date
Online Voting Start: 19/03/27
Online Voting Close: 26/03/27
Announced: 02/04/27
semi-final date
Online Voting Start: 19/02/27
Online Voting Close: 26/02/27
Announced: 01/03/27
final date
Judges Voting Start: 16/04/27
Judges Voting Close: 23/04/27
Announced: 30/04/26
The Awards Gala – London 2026
The inaugural WSDO Awards Gala will be
held in London on 28 May 2026.
The evening begins with a waterfront reception
beside the legendary yacht Gipsy Moth IV at St
Katharine Docks, followed by a formal prizegiving
ceremony and gala dinner hosted at the Royal
Thames Yacht Club.
Finalists, partners, media and guests come together
for a night that blends maritime heritage with
contemporary innovation – celebrating those who
are shaping the future of sailing.
We have 32 Award categories.
More than one may be interesting to you!
Sailing Community Facts
There are 118 countries with navigable waters, there are more than 5 million berths and the industry is estimated to be worth +50B USD per year.
*These figures are consolidated estimates from an ICOMIA industry snapshot (2016). Definitions may vary by country.
World Sailing Day – 28th May partnered with Sailing Miles
Sailing Miles is the first global loyalty and rewards program designed and created for the sailing and marine industry. World Sailing Day – May 28 and the global rewards Sailing Miles program has partnered to stimulate and incentivise people and companies to stay engaged with sailing and get the best out of both programs.
If you sign up today, you can claim your first 1000 miles for free. Double that amount if you become a member of both WSDO and Sailing Miles!
