Fun is Sailing into Chesapeake

June 20-21, 2026

Chesapeake is throwing the summer's best party, and history is sailing in with it. Tour the Sultana, a historically accurate replica of an 18th-century British schooner, docked right at the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum all weekend long. Then stay for free live music, food trucks, free family fun, hands-on crafts, and living history reenactors. Tour the Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum (tickets required) and discover Chesapeake's remarkable role in the American Independence story. Hear the stories of the colonists, the indigenous peoples of this region, and some extraordinary local heroes who helped shape a nation.

This Charter to Chesapeake celebration is a once-in-a-generation VA250 event that you really don't want to miss!

Meet the Sultana

The Sultana is a beautiful full-scale reproduction of a 1768 schooner. She’s hand-crafted history with historically accurate rigging, working sails, and a crew who knows every plank of her story. She is a lovingly built replica of the kind of British vessel that once patrolled Colonial American waters. You will experience a rare, up-close look at life on the water during that era.

She’s docking in Chesapeake for visitors to step aboard and explore. Don’t just admire her from the shore, climb aboard!

What's Happening at a Glance

Come for the ship. Stay for everything else. Here's what to expect.

Tour the Sultana

Walk the decks of a real 18th-century tall ship. Meet the crew.

Live Music

Live bands all weekend on the waterfront. Folk, classics, and more!

Food Trucks

Local trucks, great food. Arrive hungry. Come back for seconds.

Kids Activities

Hands-on crafts, Colonial games, and reenactors bringing history to life.

Passport Quest

Collect stamps from History Walk stations to redeem for a prize while supplies last.

Artisan Vendors

Handmade goods from local makers.

Living History

Spinning, weaving, barrel making, and quill writing.

Waterfront Setting

Right on the Intracoastal Waterway. Bring a blanket or chair.

Tour the Museum

Ticket required at the door.

MUSEUM HOURS

Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Sunday: noon – 4:00 p.m.

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know before setting sail! Review event hours, parking information, and the official event map below.

Location

Battlefield Park
1775 Historic Way
Chesapeake, VA 23320

Hours

The event is free and open to the public from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Museum admission is separate.

Parking Info

Free parking at Chesapeake City Hall with continuous, free shuttle service.

Event Map

Click the map to view a larger version.

Schedule of Events

Explore what's happening each day and throughout the weekend.

Saturday, June 20

9:30 a.m. | Free shuttle from Chesapeake City Hall at Shea Drive parking to site every 20 minutes
10:00 a.m. | Charter to Chesapeake event site and schooner Sultana open to public Mr. Silver Strings on the Bagpipe: Across from Colonial Games Area
10:15 a.m. | Second Ending Brass Quintet: Monument Stage
11:00 a.m. | Cindy Kays Plays Celtic, Folk, and Sea Shanties: East Picnic Area
11:30 a.m. | Youth Virginia Regiment Cannon Demo: Dauntless on the Canal Mr. Silver Strings on the Bagpipe: West Picnic Area
11:45 a.m. |The Doorway Singers Salutes USO Tribute Show: Monument Stage
12:00 p.m. | Cindy Kays Plays Celtic, Folk, and Sea Shanties: East Picnic Area
12:45 p.m. | Mr. Silver Strings on the Violin: West Picnic Area
1:00 p.m. | Amazing Grace’s Pirate School: Monument Stage
1:30 p.m. | Free Guided Tour of Battlefield Park: Meet at Museum Portico
1:45 p.m. | Mr. Silver Strings: Music Through the Ages
2:30 p.m. | Youth Virginia Regiment Cannon Demo: Dauntless on the Canal
2:45 p.m. | The Doorway Singers Salutes USO Tribute Show: Monument Stage
3:15 p.m. | Cindy Kays Plays Celtic, Folk, and Sea Shanties: East Picnic Area
4:00 p.m. | Event Site and schooner Sultana close to the public
5:15 p.m. | Last Shuttle departs site for Shea Drive parking

Sunday, June 21

9:30 a.m. | Free shuttle from Chesapeake City Hall at Shea Drive parking to site every 20 minutes
10:00 a.m. | Charter to Chesapeake event site and schooner Sultana open to public Mr. Silver Strings on the Bagpipe: Across from Colonial Games Area
10:15 a.m. | Cindy Kays Plays Celtic, Folk, and Sea Shanties: East Picnic Area
10:30 a.m. | The Doorway Singers Salutes USO Tribute Show: Monument Stage
11:30 a.m. | Youth Virginia Regiment Cannon Demo: Dauntless on the Canal Mr. Silver Strings on the Bagpipe: West Picnic Area
11:45 a.m. | Tidewater Winds Brass Quintet: Monument Stage
12:45 p.m. | Cindy Kays Plays Celtic, Folk, and Sea Shanties: West Picnic Area
1:30 p.m. | The Doorway Singers Salutes USO Tribute Show: Monument Stage Free Guided Tour of Battlefield Park: Meet at Museum Portico
2:30 p.m. | Youth Virginia Regiment Cannon Demo: Dauntless on the Canal Mr. Silver Strings on the Bagpipe: West Picnic Area
2:45 p.m. | Amazing Grace’s Pirate School: Monument Stage
3:15 p.m. | Mr. Silver Strings: Music Through the Ages
4:00 p.m. | Event Site and schooner Sultana close to the public
5:00 p.m. | Last Shuttle departs site for Shea Drive parking

Ongoing Both Days

Free deck tours aboard the schooner Sultana
Interactive History Walk with reenactors, historians, tradespeople, and more
Charter to Chesapeake History Walk Passport stamp quest
Youth Virginia Regiment living history encampment
Hands-on Colonial games and pastimes; face painting
“Common Sense: The Virginia Declaration of Rights" special exhibit
“Sign the Giant Declaration” and hands-on quill pen writing
Mobile Chesapeake Public Library; local food trucks; historic goods vendors
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Museum ($5.00 admission required)

Stay, Dine, Explore

Turn your visit into a full experience. From local dining spots to nearby hotels, everything you need is close by.

Restaurants

A kayaker in a blue kayak glides through a serene Lake Drummond, bordered by cypress trees, reflecting in the calm water under a clear blue sky.

Things to Do

Hotels Places to dream of sugar plums dancing in your head.

Three individuals on kayaks in the Northwest river

Trip Planning

Fun is Sailing into Chesapeake