The Tall Ships make their return to Boston in July. Here's what you should know

This will be a busy summer for Boston, with the FIFA World Cup, July Fourth and the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding. Adding to the festivities: more than 50 tall ships from around the world will make their stop in Boston.

It’s been nearly a decade since these gigantic multi-sail ships graced the Boston Harbor. The last time they sailed through in 2017, more than 3.8 million people came to watch.

Sail Boston, the event's organizer, on Wednesday unveiled the sailing ships and military vessels from more than 20 countries that will gather in Boston from July 11 to 16.  

It's all part of the Sail250 maritime celebration of America's founding. The fleet of ships will start in New Orleans on May 28, then sail on to Norfolk, Virginia, followed by Baltimore and New York. Boston is the final stop on these ships’ voyage.

Some of these tall ships include the 371-foot Esmeralda from Chile and America's historical USS Constitution. You can expect to see other vessels from countries like Italy, France, Poland, Colombia, Portugal and India.

"It's going to be such a grand scale that I don't think most of the public may have ... experienced in their lifetime," USS Constitution Commander Crystal Schaefer said in an interview with WBUR. "Truly an iconic moment. Truly a historic moment."

More than 4 million people are expected to attend throughout the week.

Kate Fox, the state's director of travel and tourism, said the Healey administration will award Sail Boston $4 million to support infrastructure, public safety, transportation and operational needs to host the event.

"Sail Boston 2026 is an opportunity to celebrate Massachusetts' deep maritime heritage, showcase our coastal communities and welcome visitors from around the globe during what we expect to be a defining summer for tourism, culture and international engagement across the Commonwealth," Fox said during a May 20 Sail Boston press conference.

Meet Boston CEO Martha Sheridan said thousands of people all over the world will be supporting small businesses, restaurants and hotels in Boston.

"Eyes all over the world are going to be on Boston this summer," Sheridan said. "Whether it's for the FIFA matches, for our Fourth of July celebration ... or for this extraordinary international event here in Boston, we are going to make a mark."

Kicking off the whole festival is the Parade of Sail on July 11. From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., these enormous ships will will parade in flotillas into Boston Harbor, turn at Charlestown and proceed into their berths. Elder stateswoman the USS Constitution will lead the parade. Organizers said the best viewing area for the parade are at Castle Island, Long Wharf, Charlestown Piers 4 & 6, the Harborwalk and East Boston.

Once the ships are berthed at various piers, including Boston Fish Pier, Commonwealth Pier, Charlestown Navy Yard Pier and other waterfront areas, the public are welcomed to board and tour these grand ships free of charge. Hours for ship visitation are: July 11, 4 to 10 p.m., and July 12 - July 15, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Before the ship parade, four "sister ships" will race from New York to Boston from July 9 to July 10. These sister ships were built in the same German shipyard and raced from Bermuda to Newport in 1976. David Choate, Sail Boston's director of operations, said four of the five commanding officers of the ships got in touch with Sail Boston last year to recreate the event.

The Crew & Cadet Street Parade will be July 13 at noon, where crews from these ships will march through Boston and even play some tunes. Organizers are proposing the parade route to start at Leader Bank Pavilion in Seaport and go on for 1.3 miles, ending at Christopher Columbus Park in downtown.

For soccer and FIFA World Cup fans, consider going to LoPresti Park in East Boston on July 14, when crew members from the ships will compete in soccer tournaments from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fireworks will also radiate over Boston Harbor twice during the event: Saturday, July 11, and again on Wednesday, July 15, the day before the tall ships depart.

There will be stadium-style security screenings to gain access to the festival and all Sail Boston events. Large bags, wheeled coolers and alcohol are prohibited, while small coolers, beach chairs and umbrellas are allowed.

There is no bag storage at the festival.

Jamie Frederick, the Coast Guard Sector Boston commander, said the Coast Guard has been working alongside federal, state and local partners to deliver "unified maritime security."

"As we approach July 11, we ask the maritime community and boating public to remain vigilant, follow all broadcast and safety zones and comply with directions from on-the-water patrols so that everyone can enjoy this safe and historic event," Frederick said.

Officials say the event will continue on, rain or shine.