2025 “Opening Day On The Bay” Boat Parade & “Blessing of the Fleet” (SF)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The annual Opening Day on the Bay typically shows off over 100 historic workboats, fireboats, towboats, and classic and contemporary craft.

This marks the official start of the San Francisco boating season.

Annual “Opening Day on the Bay” Boat Parade
Sunday, April 27, 2025
– Blessing of the fleet – 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (approx)
– Boat parade – Noon to 2pm (approx)
View from Crissy Field to PIER 39, SF
FREE to watch from the shore

OPENING DAY ON THE BAY APRIL 27, 2025

From the blessing of the fleet in Racoon Straits to the parade of decorated boats this is a great day to get out on the Bay.

Come on out and decorate your boat for this traditional event. Before the start of the parade is the Blessing of the Fleet, at 10:30 am in Raccoon Strait, hosted by Corinthian Yacht Club. The parade begins at Noon and is led by the San Francisco fireboat St. Francis, so participating in the blessing and parade is possible. The “Blessing Boat” will be anchored in Raccoon Strait, come through from the backside, and then cruise on over to the San Francisco waterfront and join in on the fun.

Dating back to 1917 and organized by the Pacific Inter-Club Yacht Association, the parade runs just north of Anita Rock off the shore of Crissy Field in the Presidio, follows along the city front to first Fort Mason building east of the Marina Green.

The blessing tradition was added to the festivities  in 1963 and known as the “Blessing of the Pleasure Craft”. The ritual was modeled on the age-old traditional blessings of vessels of working fishermen.

Anybody can enter a vessel in the parade free of charge (one does not have to be a yacht club member) as long they register beforehand and have a marine radio. Parade Skippers Click to register

Each year a theme is selected and many boats decorated to the year’s theme. This year’s theme “Generations on the Bay” celebrates and honors the vivid historical generations of the San Francisco Bay! From the Gold Rush Era & Building of the Golden Gate Bridge to the Summer of Love, Music Mecca, the GoGo 90’s, Golden Decade of Sports and Tech Explosion – Pick Your Favorite “Generation” to Represent! The theme is open to many interpretations and skippers are encouraged to be creative.  Some boats will fly flags and streamers or just join in the parade not decorated.

All are welcome. If you do not have a boat, join us on the official committee boat to get the most up-close view of the boats.

PARADE STARTS AT NOON

There is a category for everyone and prizes for:

Categories for Boats and Decor

There is a category for everyone and prizes for:

• Classic and Historic Yachts
• Powerboats Decorated to Theme
• Sailboats Decorated to Theme
• Power or Sail Decorated by Juniors
• Flags & Streamers by Yacht Club
• Decorated Not to Theme
• Non-Decorated Boats

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Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.