The Tall Ships Races in Hartlepool is only weeks away as it is set to arrive at the seaside town in County Durham, with around 100 free performances and activities to enjoy.

The event will take place across four days next month with a variety of things to do and see for all the family.

Visitors have more than just the official races and ships to get excited about as there will be two stages of entertainment, an observation wheel and musical guests to name a few.

Here is everything you need to know about the Tall Ships Races 2023 - from race times, the full line-up and more.

When is the Tall Ships Races 2023?

The jam-packed four-day event will be held across Hartlepool Marina and port between July 6-9.

The Tall Ships Races site will be open from 10am on Thursday (July 6) to welcome the ships in before noon and the site will close at 9pm that day.

It will then be open from 10am-11pm on Friday (July 7) and Saturday (July 8), while on Sunday (July 9) it will be open from 7am-5pm.

However, times will vary on the final day because of the grand departure.

Catherine Honey, event director for Tall Ships Races Hartlepool, said: “One thing we cannot change is mother nature and the times of our tides determines when we must get ships undocked and out to sea to prepare for their next race to Fredrikstad in Norway.

“It might be early on the Sunday but come down and grab some breakfast from one of our traders or businesses who will be opening early whilst we wish our crews well on their onward travels.”

The Northern Echo:

What is the full line-up of events at Tall Ships Race 2023 in Hartlepool?

A full programme of activities awaits on Sunday. Even though the ships leave the port, they will only move out into the sea off the coast of Seaton Carew.

Before their departure, the ships will parade their sails along the coast of Hartlepool travelling north from 1-3pm, which can be viewed from many coastal locations. The official race start time is 4pm.

The departure will be the conclusion of days of entertainment, with two main stages planned at Victoria Quay (X-Energy stage) and Navigation Point.

A smaller community stage (the Highlight Stage) will be on Jackson’s Landing alongside the Military Village and Family Beach.

On the Family Beach, there will be a range of fun family activities from sandcastle-building competitions to garden games, as well as the Military Village.

Hartlepool Folk Festival has been commissioned to create a giant Ceilidh, a traditional social dance style from Britain and there is also a 35m observation wheel planned for Victoria Quay.

A key highlight for the full event is the Friday crew parade, which will see the visiting crews of the tall ships parade from Victoria Quay through the Headland and Town Moor from 4.30pm to say thank you.

The crews will use dance, music, costume and team spirit to excite crowds and create a wonderful atmosphere for the whole family to enjoy.

On the Town Moor, Sail Training International and Hartlepool Borough Council will present ships with prizes including the winners of the first leg of The Tall Ships Races 2023.

Who are the musical performances at the Tall Ships Races 2023 in Hartlepool?

Maximo Park will headline on Friday and The Wailers on Saturday as part of a live music bill supported by the Sherlocks and The Magic Numbers.

More than 50 other live music performers have been announced, including some of the North-East’s top talent such as Michael Gallagher, James Leonard Hewitson and John Bramwell.

The Tower of Light performance on Friday night will transform Hartlepool’s quayside into a magical theatre of pyrotechnics, performance and music centred around a huge lighthouse.

Saturday night’s entertainment will close with a firework display which will light up the skies over Hartlepool’s Waterfront.

The host port will also celebrate with world food markets and a variety of other things, including illustrator Jonny Hannah’s Shipbuilders and Fisherfolk exhibition at the Museum of Hartlepool and Hartlepool Art Gallery.

Catherine added: ‘‘We are delighted to be able to offer over 100 free performances and activities for people to enjoy at this four-day event.

“This is a truly international event with tall ships arriving from as far as Indonesia and Uruguay to visit Hartlepool next month and it’s exciting that we have been able to pull together such a huge free and unticketed event to celebrate the occasion.”