Festival of Sails 2026

Saturday 24th January 2026 - Monday 26th January 2026
3 Day Regatta & Waterfront Festival
Royal Geelong Yacht Club
FREE EVENT

The Festival of Sails, Geelong's ultimate 3-day festival, returns bigger and better on the January long weekend!

Get ready to Experience It All - world-class sailing, live music, delicious food, and unforgettable summer fun on the stunning Geelong Waterfront.

The Festival of Sails is the largest annual keel boat regatta in the Southern Hemisphere with over 300 yacht entries and 3000 competitors annually taking part in the event.

First held in 1844 the Festival of Sails Regatta is one of the nation's oldest sporting events and has evolved over many years culminating in its current format as Australia's foremost keelboat regatta.

Running alongside the sailing action the free community Waterfront Festival features numerous acts across three stages and a multitude of stallholders to provide you with fine food and wine live music entertainment and roving performers art and craft market stalls novelty stalls an on-water Come & Try Zone and a dedicated family friendly kids zone all along the stunning Geelong Waterfront and in the Royal Geelong Yacht Club.

The Festival of Sails promises something for all thrilling sailing action exciting on water activities for all to try and a great way to spend quality time with your family over the Australia Day Long Weekend.

Program

Experience it All

The Party is Back: Festival of Sails 2026 Sets Sail with New Look and Expanded Program

It gives me great pleasure to launch the brand for the Festival of Sails 2026, along with this year's slogan: "The Party is Back."

This theme celebrates the return of the festival in full force, both on the water and ashore, and reflects a new era for the Royal Geelong Yacht Club as we host the event for the first time with full access to our completed Victorian Sailing Centre. The VSC is a true game-changer for our Club and our competitors, offering modern facilities, enhanced amenities, and a spectacular new hub from which to experience the festival.

This year's artwork also takes a new direction. While previous designs have reflected the proud history of our races, this illustration looks outward to the vibrant Geelong waterfront, highlighting the atmosphere and energy that make the shoreside experience every bit as special as the competition on the bay. And keep an eye out for a special touch of good fortune, the hidden 'Easter Egg' of Tiger the Cat, a nod to the long-held tradition of cats bringing luck aboard ships. Did you also spot him in 2025 and 2024?

On the water, 2026 promises to be our biggest Festival of Sails yet. For the first time, the regatta will extend to five days of racing, with the addition of the Australian Multihull Championships. These will kick off on Wednesday 21 January, adding two weekday sessions before continuing as part of our flagship long weekend program. It is a privilege to host this national championship, and we look forward to showcasing the incredible spectacle of multihull sailing on Corio Bay.

The 183rd running of the historic Melbourne to Geelong Passage Race will once again be a highlight on Saturday 24 January, followed by another two days of competition across multiple classes and divisions. Our program also welcomes back the Mornington to Geelong Passage Race, the International Cadet Sprint Series, and a wide range of racing opportunities for both rated and non-rated boats.

Beyond the racing, the party truly returns to the Geelong waterfront. Expect three days of live music, entertainment, food and wine, family activities, and the always-popular Tall Ships. Whether you are a competitor, a spectator, or a visitor discovering sailing for the first time, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.

The Festival of Sails has always been about more than racing. It is about bringing people together to celebrate sailing, community, and culture, and in 2026, with our expanded program and revitalised home, it promises to be our most dynamic event yet.

On behalf of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, I invite you, your crew, and your families to join us in Geelong this January. The party is back, and you won't want to miss it.

Phil Francis
Chair, Festival of Sails

Book via Festivalofsails.au





 Royal Geelong Yacht Club View Venue
 25 Eastern Beach Road Geelong Victoria  Map

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