Festival of Sails 2026 Wrap: Celebrating sailing, community, and family fun in Geelong

Geelong’s waterfront came alive over the January long weekend as Festival of Sails 2026 drew to a spectacular close. From world-class racing on Corio Bay to vibrant onshore festivities, the event showcased the city’s unique blend of maritime tradition, community spirit, and local pride.

The STS Young Endeavour kicked off the celebrations on Saturday morning, setting the stage for the weekend and firing canon to signal the start of the iconic Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race, presented by Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong. The 183rd edition saw hundreds of competitors depart Melbourne before racing down the bay to Geelong in near-perfect conditions, thrilling spectators with colourful spinnakers, close finishes and dramatic on-water battles.

Local boats also made a strong showing, with Shaw Thing, skippered by Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Cam Rae and his team, finishing the Passage Race third in AMS, and Triballistic, skippered by Ian Holten, taking first place in the five-day Australian Multihull Championships. Local cadets Jack Benyan (15) and Louis Davis (11) also performed in the International Cadet Sprint Series, winning the competition and taking out the W.L Curtis Memorial Trophy.

Festival-goers were treated to more than just sailing, with the RAAF Roulettes performing a spectacular flyover on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday, the STS Young Endeavour arrived in Geelong after an 11-day voyage from Hobart, marking its final visit to the port. Cadets lined the yard arms as the ship sailed into port, providing a fitting maritime spectacle and a celebration of seamanship that captivated visitors of all ages.

This year, the Festival also welcomed the Australia Day Family Day, a late addition to the Festival program to carry on the spirit of the long-running Children’s Fun Day in Rippleside. Featuring jumping castles, face painting, and live music from Piano Bar Geelong, the Monday event added to an already packed area of the Festival. Across the course of the weekend, Steampacket Gardens was also home to the new Made in Geelong Artisan Market and Made in Geelong Classic Car Showcase, while more than 450 people took part in Come & Try Sailing experiences off Wangim Walk.

“The Festival of Sails has been absolutely fantastic this year,” said Phil Francis, Chair of Festival of Sails.

“The weather was perfect for sailing, and it was wonderful to see such great participation and atmosphere throughout the weekend. The event brings together our staff, volunteers, competitors, and the local community, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who helped make it happen. It’s been a real team effort.”

Phil added, “I love the camaraderie and inclusiveness the festival creates. Seeing sailors interacting with the community, families enjoying the waterfront, and locals embracing the event is what makes Festival of Sails so special.”

Member for Geelong, Christine Couzens MP added:

“Another fantastic weekend at Geelong’s iconic Festival of Sails. A big thank‑you to everyone involved, especially the volunteers, for creating such a vibrant celebration bringing the waterfront to life.”

“I am proud of the Allan Labor Governments’ continued investment in supporting events like this, that provide economic value and experiences for locals and visitors alike. ”

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM echoed the sentiment.

“The City of Greater Geelong is proud to support the Festival of Sails, a flagship event in our major events calendar that truly embodies summer in Geelong,” he said.

“This year we were also pleased to support additional Australia Day Family Day activities, which added even more colour, vibrancy and fun to this already fantastic family-friendly festival.”

Onshore, the festival delivered an array of experiences for visitors of all ages. From artisan markets and gourmet food to live music and family-friendly activities, the waterfront was buzzing with excitement. The weekend culminated with the Victory Bash Presentation Party at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, headlined by favourites The Sweethearts, and celebrating champions, marking the close of another successful Festival of Sails.

Local businesses and markets also benefited from the festival’s draw, highlighting Geelong’s growing reputation as a hub for tourism, culture, and high-quality local products.

“It’s events like this that really showcase what Geelong can do,” Phil Francis said. “The community embraces it, visitors enjoy it, and our city shines.”

The Festival of Sails will return in 2027, promising another weekend of thrilling racing, waterfront fun, and unforgettable experiences for sailors, families, and the community alike.

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