Programme

The impressive SAIL fleet will be accompanied by an extensive sports and cultural programme. Every day during SAIL, there will be all kinds of activities at various locations which are free to the public. In other words, SAIL is one big celebration for everyone and you don’t even need to be a boat lover or water sports enthusiast! All age groups have been taken into account, so children will have plenty to do at SAIL. A few of the programme’s highlights [*] include:

For the complete programme in Dutch click here

SAIL-IN Parade

19 Aug. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The impressive traditional parade from IJmuiden to Amsterdam featuring over 50 tall ships, naval ships, replicas and modern yachts. Hundreds of ships will accompany the procession on its way to mooring places along the IJ river.

Ceremonial salute

19 Aug. 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

During the SAIL-IN Parade, the participating tall ships and other important ships will be welcomed according to a centuries-old tradition at the head of Sixhaven. The cannoneers from the Salute Battery Bastion RA in Naarden will perform the salute.

Tall Ship viewing hours

Daily 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Once again, they are coming from all over the world – the magnificent and stately tall ships. All ships are accessible to the public from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Exceptions to this are the Clipper Stad Amsterdam, which can be visited until 12:00 p.m., and the Götheborg, which is accessible from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. and again from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. For the first time at SAIL, there will also be various short performances on the decks of some tall ships. These will include storytelling, a performance by actor Felix Burleson in which he sheds light on the theme of slavery, ensembles by the Navy Band and a few performances as part of the Grachtenfestival. Both the ships and the performances are free.

ING Pirate Island

Daily 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

On the ING Pirate Island, everyone can be a pirate on Captain Johannes Jordaan’s shipwreck. In the day, sparks fly during the exciting pirate shows. At the end of the day, the island is a laid-back spot where everyone can enjoy a bite or drink together among the palm trees and hammocks. In the evening, party-goers can get their groove on with DJs and other artists creating the ultimate atmosphere.
Begin the journey to the ING Pirate Island in style by being picked up by a pirate at the Veemkade and taken to the island. (An ING smart card is required to board the ferry (1 card per family/group of 4 individuals). You can naturally also follow the landlubber’s route to the ING Pirate Island via the Verbindingsdam.)

The Province of Noord-Holland Children’s Stage

Daily 11:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Varied programme for children aged 6-12, including performances by Monique Smit, ZirkusZirkus, Hit!, Kapitein Winokio and SAIL Minidisco with DJ Rebelsa. There will also be various performances connected to the Grachtenfestival, with MEMO on Thursday and Friday and Tralala on Saturday.

Youth Island: 5HarboursCityTour

Daily 11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.

From Tokyo to New York by means of Sydney, with a stop-over in Casablanca and on to the final destination in Amsterdam! During SAIL, take a world tour of these five inspiring harbour cities. At the Gedempte Insteekhaven in Amsterdam-Noord, the HarboursCityTour has a swinging programme in store especially for young people. Here, both during the day and in the evening, you’ll be able to experience the atmosphere of various cultures. During SAIL, music, dance, sports and art will transform Amsterdam-Noord into the hotspot for young people. On the XXXS Stage, there will be free performances by C-Mon & Kypski, Dio, Lisa Lois, Zwart Licht, Laura Jansen, Go back to the Zoo and The Partysquad, among others.

SAIL Jazz & Soul and Tango

Daily 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

From subtle jazz to swinging soul and tango, the programme features musicians like trumpetist Eric Vloeimans (Thurs.), Giovanca (Fri.), Wouter Hamel (Sat.) and bandoneonist Carel Kraayenhof (Sun.).

SAIL Sing-Along

Daily 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.

Sing along at the top of your lungs with the most rollicking sea shanties, together with The Amsterdam Harbour Choir, Cees Koldijk (sailor virtuoso) and Jos Zandvliet (former artistic leader of ‘Dogtroep’).

SAILSation

Daily

Skûtsjes competing against each other on the IJ river, races between Rainbow Class yachts, youth sailing and rescue demonstrations by the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue Institution (KNRM): SAILSation is the area at SAIL 2010 where you are guaranteed to see non-stop action on the water.

Fireworks show

Daily 10:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. [Sat. 10:00 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.]

All eyes will be fixed on the sky above the IJ river for a quarter of an hour every night, starting at 10:15 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday and at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, during the breathtaking fireworks spectacle.

Dutch Postcode Lottery Concert

19 and 20 Aug. 8:15 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.

The Dutch Postcode Lottery (Nationale Postcode Loterij) will be organising two evenings on the main stage in order to highlight UNICEF. There will be performances by Mariska van Kolk and Jeroen van der Boom, among others. The navy band will provide the musical accompaniment on these evenings.

‘Pieremachochel’ boat carnival

20 Aug. 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A colourful parade of crazy homemade watercraft will be a sight to see in the city centre. The route will run via Westerdok, Korte Prinsengracht, Nieuwe Prinsengracht and Plantage Muidergracht to Enterpotdok.

Sea shanty with Ellen ten Damme

21 Aug. 8:00 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.

On Saturday 21 August, the Amsterdam harbour is the centre of attention on the SAIL main stage. In addition to performing songs from her own repertoire, Ellen ten Damme will offer her interpretation of the old sea shanty ‘Stad Amsterdam’ and the new sea shanty ‘In de haven van Amsterdam’. The latter was the winning entry from the band Zänph as part of the ‘New Amsterdam Sea Shanty’ competition, in which 200 musicians and bands participated. Get into the spirit already by downloading this new shanty sea for free at www.havenlied.nl! This is an initiative of Haven Amsterdam with partners the Province of Noord-Holland and ORAM entrepreneur’s association.

Dansi Nautica!

22 Aug. 8:30 p.m. - 10:15 p.m.

SAIL 2010’s festive closing celebration. Jörgen Raymann will present vocalists, dancers and musicians showing how nautical life is experienced in different parts of the world. Both on stage and in the crowd, an infectious and sexy atmosphere will be created by dozens of salsa, merengue, zouk, samba and modern dancers. Featuring performances by Lilian Vieira (ZUCO103), Denise Jannah, Jenny Lane, Teema and Yumarya.