On 13 April a fleet of international Tall Ships will moor in Royal Borough of Greenwich, London for the start of the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta. This visual maritime feast over the Easter weekend, 13 to 16 April, will see around 30 Tall Ships set sail for Quebec in Canada from the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Entertainment in Greenwich and Woolwich

On land, there will be maritime-themed entertainment in Greenwich and Woolwich town centres and along the river front from 11am until around 8pm each day.

The opening spectacular in Woolwich will include 'Hydromania' - an immersive outdoor water experience (keep an eye on the crowd for spontaneous 'water fountains'!) culminating in The Spurting Man.

There will also be a special appearance on the opening night by Squeeze frontman, Glenn Tilbrook, on the Fentimans Festival Stage in Woolwich.

The line-up includes live jazz and blues performances, have-a-go activities, roving street entertainers, sea shanties, re-enactors, puppet shows, and food and drink stalls.

The Farewell Fireworks display will take place on the riverside at Woolwich on Saturday 15 April at 9.45pm, before the ships sail out of London in formation in the spectacular Parade of Sail on Sunday 16 April - leaving Maritime Greenwich at 5pm and passing Woolwich from 5.45pm.

Thousands of visitors will generate local spending

The last Tall Ships event in 2014 saw 1 million people visit the Royal Borough to see the Tall Ships on the river, generating over £17 million of spend locally.

This time, local businesses big and small are gearing up for the event with a programme of live entertainment in businesses across the borough, and ensuring their businesses are well stocked to cope with the extra visitor numbers expected to attend both festival sites.

Welcome boost to local economy and businesses

Councillor Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Culture, Creative Industries and Community Well-Being, said: "The last Tall Ships Regatta 2014 event attracted over 1 million visitors and the Rendez-Vous 2017 Tall Ships Regatta will be a maritime and cultural spectacular not to be missed. The event will also give a welcome boost to our local economy and businesses, who are already preparing for a very busy weekend.

"I am delighted that so many talented performers will be joining us to make this a really special occasion for festival visitors. There really is something for everyone with many of the events family-focused so that everyone can enjoy the experience, no matter their age!

"I'm incredibly proud of our local young people who have been picked to work as Sail Trainees, and we are proud to be working with our official Charity Partners Sea Cadets and Seafarers UK, to increase such marvellous opportunities as these for young people."

'One of the biggest and best events in London this Easter'

Cllr Scott-McDonald added: "We have a packed Festival programme and the presence of these magnificent ships alongside this fabulous riverside entertainment and food and drink will make for a fantastic four days. We invite you to join us in Royal Greenwich for one of the biggest and best events in London this Easter."

Highlights of the festival include:

• opening spectacular in Woolwich: including 'Hydromania' - an immersive outdoor water experience
• the chance to get on board magnificent Tall Ships moored in Greenwich and Woolwich throughout the four-day Festival - tickets available on the day from the Festival sites
• visitors can take in the view from the river by taking a Tall Ship Thames cruise up to Tower Bridge with Sail Royal Greenwich
• a Farewell Fireworks display in Woolwich on Saturday evening at 9.45pm
• a spectacular Parade of Sail climax to the festival as the vessels head out to open sea - departs Sunday 16 April, 5pm from Maritime Greenwich
• performances from children and young people from schools and colleges across the borough
• theatre performances, music stages and bandstands, fairground rides and children's activities throughout the festival at both sites.

You can also plan your visit to the Festival and find out about all the attractions in Greenwich on the Visit Greenwich website.