Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival

12/06/2025

🚤✨ And it begins…

The Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival is officially underway at Balboa Yacht Club!

⚓🌊 Mark your calendars — the main event is Saturday, June 14 from 10 AM to 6 PM.

✨Come see a stunning collection of wooden boats, meet passionate owners, and celebrate timeless nautical craftsmanship.

We can’t wait to share it all with you!

11/06/2025

Ready for a star-studded adventure on the sea? 🌊

This year’s Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival is rolling out the red carpet for “Stories of the Sea” — where Hollywood glam meets vintage maritime magic.

✨ Saturday (June 14th) Highlight: Cruise Newport Harbor aboard John Wayne’s legendary yacht, the Wild Goose!

🕐 Set sail at 1:00 PM or 3:30 PM

💵 Just $65 per person for a 90-minute cruise

🍸 Signature drinks, behind-the-scenes stories, and a taste of the Duke’s favorite pastimes await.

🎟️ Don’t miss your chance to cruise like a Hollywood legend. Spots fill fast—secure yours now: https://www.newportbeachwoodenboatfestival.com

06/06/2025

One Week Away!

Get ready to set sail into an unforgettable night at the 9th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival! 🌊⚓️

Premier Night is your all-access pass to a Hollywood-style celebration on the harbor:

✨ Step into Bogey’s Bar, a secret speakeasy with a modern twist—thanks to Happy Dad hard seltzers.

✨ Snap epic memories with your crew in the 360° surround photo booth.

✨ Then hit the open-air dance floor under the stars with live music and nonstop vibes.

📍It’s all happening in ONE WEEK—don’t miss the hottest night on the water!

16/05/2025

A Boat, A Book, A Legacy
After its six-week voyage through the Sea of Cortez in 1940, the Western Flyer quietly etched its place into American literary history.
Immortalized in John Steinbeck’s The Log From the Sea of Cortez, the boat didn’t become famous overnight. Its story spread slowly—shared between readers who found something unforgettable in its pages.
Now considered by many the most iconic fishing boat in history, the Western Flyer stands as a symbol of curiosity, connection, and the quiet power of a story that lingers. 🌊📖

07/05/2025

Auction is Now Live 🚨

The 9th Annual Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival Silent Auction is officially open! 🛥️

This year’s theme, Stories of the Sea: Wooden Boats in Film & Fiction, comes to life with incredible items including:
✨ On-the-water adventures aboard classic wooden boats
🍷 Red-carpet-worthy dining experiences
🌍 Exotic trips and getaways inspired by cinematic seascapes

Proceeds—after event expenses—benefit:
• The ALS Foundation
• Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building
• Local youth on-the-water programs

🎟️ Start bidding today and write your own sea story: https://paybee.io/quickpay.html?handle=nbwbf2024&ppid=5

26/04/2025

A huge thank you to Diane Armitage for hosting us on The Best of Laguna Beach radio show! 🎙️

We had a fantastic time chatting about the upcoming Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival, hosted annually by Balboa Yacht Club.

This year’s festival is going all out with a Hollywood theme – Stories of the Sea: Wooden Boats in Film & Fiction. Classic wooden boats from all over the country, owned by Hollywood celebrities or featured in movies, books, and more, will be on display!

🎬 Highlights include:

•Exploring over 30 stunning wooden vessels, including the iconic Western Flyer, featured in John Steinbeck’s The Log from the Sea of Cortez.

•Diving into the rowing traditions featured in the film The Boys in the Boat.

•Viewing a photo exhibit showcasing Hollywood stars with the boats they loved.

•Taking a harbor cruise on John Wayne’s own Wild Goose.

🎟️ Admission is $15 for Saturday, with children under 12 free. The Friday Night Premiere on June 13 is a glamorous cocktail soirée under the stars, featuring red carpet arrivals, gourmet food, live entertainment, and a live auction.

📍 The festival takes place at Balboa Yacht Club, 1801 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

🗓️ Mark your calendars for June 13–14, 2025. It’s going to be a weekend to remember!

24/04/2025

Where Hollywood Glamour Meets Wooden Boat Tradition ✨🎞️
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Kick off the 2025 Woden Boat Festival in true style! Join us Friday, June 13 at 6 PM for an unforgettable Premier Night - an evening of glamour, storytelling, and giving.

✨Think red carpet meets salt air - where the sophistication of a Hollywood opening night blends seamlessly with the heart and heritage of wooden boat culture.

✨Enjoy curated cinematic moments, live music, champagne toasts, gourmet foods, and a celebration of wooden boats under the stars

✨Cocktail attire. Advance purchase only! Space is limited - don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic.

✨Proudly sponsored by Kaiser Permanente

19/04/2025

Step Aboard a Story!

This year’s Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival sets sail into the world of film and fiction, celebrating the iconic role wooden boats have played in classic cinema and local legends alike. ⚓️ 🌊

Bring the family, hear the tales, and be part of one of Newport’s favorite waterfront traditions.

🗓️ Saturday, June 14
📍 Balboa Yacht Club
🎟️ $15 Public | $10 Oasis Membership | FREE for BYC Members
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Set your course for stories, sails, and seaside fun!

28/05/2024

An original oil painting by Newport Beach artist, Kim Gordon, titled "America" will be one of the great live auction items at Friday evening's Opening Dinner on June 7. Kim is this year's Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival's featured artist.
Visit www.newportbeachwoodenboatfestival.com for all the event information.

28/05/2024

Are you attending Friday's Opening Dinner on June 7? Take a sneak peek at the live auction items that will be at the event.
https://paybee.io/quickpay.html?handle=nbwbf2024&ppid=2

23/05/2024

https://www.thelog.com/news-departments/2024-newport-beach-wooden-boat-festival-celebrates-the-art-craft-of-the-wooden-boat/

Wooden Boat Festival, Balboa Yacht Club, Newport Beach, CA | ©Tom Walker News & Departments 2024 Newport Beach Wooden Boat Festival Celebrates “The Art & Craft of the Wooden Boat” Katherine M. ClementsMay 23, 2024 NEWPORT BEACH— Set against the picturesque backdrop of Newport Harbor, the eigh...