Greenport Maritime Festival Rescheduled to Oct. 16-18
Due to this weekend’s impending nor’easter, the 36th Annual Greenport Maritime Festival will move to October 16 to 18, the organizers announced on Sept. 21. It had originally been scheduled for Sept. 25-27.
“Following consultation Monday morning among the Greenport Business Owners Alliance (GBOA), Village of Greenport, Southold Town Police Department and festival partners, organizers agreed that moving the festival now is the most thoughtful course given the developing weather forecast for the originally scheduled September weekend,” said the GBOA in an announcement Monday Afternoon.
“Maritime has always been about our relationship with the water – and part of that is respecting the conditions around us,” said Sarah Phillips-Loth of the GBOA. “We have the opportunity to make this decision early, together, and give everyone time to adjust. So we’re changing course, keeping the entire weekend together and heading toward October 16–18 with three more weeks to build, promote and celebrate everything that makes Greenport Maritime special.”
The organizers, who are producing the festival for the first time this year after 35 years organized by the East End Seaport Museum, say the extension will give “Greenport three additional weeks to prepare for a full weekend celebrating the Village’s maritime heritage, working waterfront, businesses and community.”
The new weekend keeps the festival’s full three-day format intact, with the Land & Sea Gala in Mitchell Park on Friday, Oct. 16 and the festival throughout downtown Greenport on Oct. 17 & 18. Here is some info on the highlights of this year’s festival, though the dates have changed since that post was published.
Here’s the link for a listing of events and to purchase tickets.
“The decision reflects the collaborative approach that has defined the festival’s new chapter from the beginning: plan ahead, communicate early and create the best possible experience for residents, visitors, merchants, vendors, volunteers and participating organizations,” according to the organizers. “Ticket holders do not need to do anything as dates will roll over. A separate email will be sent to all ticket holders and sponsors for Land & Sea.”
The East End Seaport Museum’s new Bug Light Classic Regatta, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 26, has not yet been postponed, and a Reggae & Rum party scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday at the museum is still on. The Reggae & Rum party is already sold out.
“The sailing world operates a little differently than a street festival. Regattas regularly make weather calls on the day of the race, when actual sailing conditions can be evaluated,” according to the museum, “Vendors, merchants, musicians and thousands of festival guests require considerably more advance planning. So, weather permitting, we still hope to sail the Bug Light Classic Regatta on Saturday, Sept. 26. If Mother Nature allows us to sail, we sail! If conditions don’t cooperate, we’ll make that call as sailors do and reschedule. But either way — we celebrate.”
Register to participate in the regatta online here.
The GBOA has worked out a three-year partnership with the East End Seaport Museum to “preserve the festival, support EESM’s maritime mission and broaden community participation.That work has grown into a village-wide effort involving the Village of Greenport, East End Seaport Museum & Marine Foundation, Hold Fast, Stay True Foundation, Friends of Mitchell Park, local businesses and merchants, community organizations, sponsors, volunteers, artists, musicians and members of Greenport’s working waterfront. EESM continues to play an active role in Maritime programming, including the Bug Light Classic Regatta which will be rescheduled for October 10th, 2026 in collaboration with the Shelter Island Yacht Club and Stirling Harbor Foundation.”
The organizers say the change in date creates additional opportunities for businesses, sponsors, vendors, volunteers and community organizations that hoped to participate but may not yet have gotten involved.
“We are extraordinarily grateful to the people who have already put their time, resources, ideas and trust behind this year’s festival,” said Ms. Phillips-Loth. “Now we have three more weeks to introduce you to them. We want to use that time to share their stories, invite more of the community aboard and make October’s weekend something we’re all proud to have built together.”
For festival updates, sponsorship opportunities, participation information and the updated schedule, visit Greenport Maritime Festival or follow the festival on social media.
