Falmouth Tall Ships 2023 tickets to go on vessels on sale

The tall ships will visit Falmouth, with the largest ‘A class’ vessels being available to board over the three days they are alongside A&P Falmouth Docks, from Tuesday, August 15 to Thursday, August 17, 2023.

The final day of the four-day Falmouth tall ships extravaganza, Friday, August 18, 2023, will see the ships leave their berthing positions and cruise in company around Falmouth Bay in the magnificent Parade of Sail.

Over the past year, extensive behind-the-scenes work by the Falmouth Town Team - the partnership between Falmouth Town Council and Falmouth BID - alongside Perfect Events Group, Falmouth Tall Ships Association and partners A&P Falmouth and Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, has been building to enable this spectacular event to take place.

This will be the sixth time Falmouth has hosted the event, the previous one taking place in 2014.

Falmouth Tall Ships online ticket sale details:

• The tall ships organising team are partnering with ticketing platform See Tickets and people can now book their tickets for a timed slot to visit the tall ships as mentioned, across the three days of Tuesday 15th, Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th of August 2023. Demand is expected to be extremely high due to the tall ships’ enduring popularity.

• The link for Falmouth Tall Ships 2023 ticket purchases is via-www.falmouth.co.uk/tallships

• Given sensitivities around the current cost-of-living challenges, fees have been kept at a practical level with a nominal cost of £5 per adult (£5.50 with required booking fees) and £2.50 (£2.75 with booking fee) for those under 16 years of age.

• Those purchasing tickets will be able to book designated time slots from 2pm, with the last booking slot being at 6pm over the three days. The timings are due to tide and access requirements. It is suggested that visitors then allow up to two hours for the entire experience.

Richard Wilcox, Executive Director of Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and one of the lead organisers said: “We’re well into the planning stages now and have a set of exciting announcements to make across the coming months as we get closer to mid-August.

"Those who have seen under full sail or boarded the magnificent tall ships when they have been in Falmouth, will know what a breathtaking and memorable experience it is.

"To pull off such a high impact global event, particularly in the current climate, is a colossal amount of work but we know such festivals have a hugely positive impact for our businesses, residents, and visitors alike.

"The value to the Falmouth, and indeed, Cornish economy is staggering, with the 2014 event we supported for example, delivering an uplift of 100,000 plus visitors across the four days and an additional £10.5 million spend into Cornwall and our local Falmouth businesses.”

Richard continued, “The event is also testament to the strength of local partnerships with the event only possible due to many organisations working alongside Falmouth Town Council, Falmouth BID and the wider team to facilitate. It’s also fantastic to have the tall ships berthed alongside in A&P Falmouth Docks once again, allowing visitors young and old to get up close to these superb craft.”

Tall Ships Races International Ltd Chief Executive Officer, Alan James, commented: “Tall Ships Races International Ltd is delighted to work with Falmouth on this trial alternative funding model for the world-famous Tall Ships Races that will enable them to welcome back the event in 2023.

"In the ever-changing economic climate, we are excited to be exploring a range of options that will keep our events sustainable for all our stakeholders, including Host Ports, ship operators and other partners.”

Alan James continues, “Cultural events like The Tall Ships Races provide a unique, long-lasting and meaningful impact for visitors wherever they go, and with the current pressures being placed on publicly funded events, we are determined to provide a flexible event model that will support The Tall Ships Races for many years to come.”

Richard Gates, Falmouth Town Manager for Falmouth Town Council added: “We have a strong pedigree in delivering memorable tall ships races and regattas over the years; they really hold a special place in the hearts and minds of so many.

"Our town’s history is intertwined with these magnificent vessels and many of the owners and captains of the Tall Ships Races international fleet feel like they are ‘coming home’ when they head for Falmouth.

"As always, we look forward to the truly awe-inspiring spectacle of the tall ships as they sail into the harbour. The Falmouth Tall Ships is not only a wonderful occasion for all involved, but thanks to the hard work of many individuals, organisations, and volunteers, it provides a crucial and timely economic boost to the county and its businesses, whilst showcasing the regional importance of our historic Falmouth port.”

Across the four-day Falmouth tall ships period, an array of events and happenings will take place across the town. And the much-anticipated Parade of Sail on Friday August 18 is viewable from many vantage points across Falmouth. The exact timings for the Parade of Sail are still to be confirmed.

After the Falmouth event, the Magellan Elcano 2023 tall ships race follows a course from Falmouth to A Coruna in Spain, then onward to Portugal’s capital, Lisbon before finishing in Cadiz, Spain.

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Further details on when the tall ships will start to arrive in Falmouth, plus details on shoreside events and activities will be announced nearer to the date.

Falmouth Tall Ships 2023 will be underwritten by Falmouth Town Council, with financial and operational support from its key partners Falmouth Business Improvement District (BID) and Falmouth Tall Ships Association.

Numerous organisations will be providing in-kind and sponsorship resource to help cover the majority of the costs associated with hosting the historic event. Volunteers will be coordinated through one of the Town Team’s many proactive partnerships, this one being with Volunteer Cornwall, while trainee recruitment is being kindly supported by Cornwall Marine Network.