The VELAFestival is the first and only festival dedicated to sailing in Italy and the Mediterranean: an ideal stop where in a single point, you can find all the ingredients of the world of sailing. A mix of relaxation and fun, going out into the sea, learning the secrets of the sailors, visiting beautiful boats, discovering new accessories, clothing and curiosities. You can relax witnessing major events with legendary sailors, video and spectacular films, stunning exhibitions. Tasting food and catching fishing or sunbathing in the beach village. It’s a huge party at sea with hundreds of boats.
The TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2016 takes place in an exceptional location, Santa Margherita Ligure, a natural harbour and seaside town with one of the most fascinating, and surprising characters of Italy and the Mediterranean, not far from Portofino and the centre of the legendary Gulf of Tigullio.
On 5th May the fourth edition of the event will kick off and the whole village overlooking the Gulf of Tigullio will be involved to make the atmosphere even more charming.
The TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2016 does not just involve the port, but also the beach, the promenade and even features Ligurian houses.
The exhibition area of the TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2016 will be set up in the dock. In the heart of the port there will be the Piazzetta della Vela, the hub from which you can reach all the different areas of the event: the area of the stands on the ground, the Piazzetta of Shopping, the rooftop terrace that contains the events and hospitality VELAFestival Area and the Beach Village.
Placed in a high position and covered by a large awning, the terrace will be the best place to enjoy the views even of the famous surrounding natural scenario: Portofino on one side and on the other the wide curve of the Tigullio gulf up to the Cinque Terre. Here you can follow the major events scheduled during the festival, and can relax.
Both on land and at sea, boats will be the protagonists, and you will be able to admire them on the water at different points of the dock. Along the quay that starts from the Piazzetta della Vela is the area of the boats for all tastes, where the most important shipyards in the world will show their best pieces and the latest updates. Here you will also find second-hand objects, the sailing school and boats to rent for the summer holidays.
Further on there are the Cult boats and the #plasticfantastic area, where you can see and get on board vessels that have shaped the history of sailing. Finally, for those who love boats take a trip through the floating docks and look at the participants in the VELA Cup, that will be sailing in the sea on Saturday, May 7th.
Complementary to the boats there is the exhibition area on the ground where you can try everything you need for your boat at the stands of the best companies in the nautical world, from equipment suppliers to the shipyards, from sailmakers to insurance. In the port there will also be the Piazzetta shopping; the “store” for water accessories, clothing, books and nautical gadgets. The “shoulders” of the dock, on the beach in front of Portofino, will host the Beach Village: a special space dedicated to the world of sailing dinghies, multihulls and water sports, in front of which you can do demonstrations and offshore tests.
The whole town of Santa Margherita Ligure is an integral part of the TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2016 thanks to the services reserved to the holders of VELAFestival Card. The card was originally made for visitors of the TAG Heuer VELAFestival 2015, is an online card that gives free access to many benefits, and allows access to all areas of the TAG Heuer VELAFestival as well as discounts at the VELAFestival exhibitors, including a 10% discount at the Nauticplace store. The benefits extend throughout the entire town of Santa Margherita Ligure and its surroundings; you can get discounts at participating hotels as well as restaurants, bars and shops.
And for those arriving by car to VELAFestival the Card allows you to receive discounts in the nearby parking. There is a form on the site www.velafestival.com where you can request a card.
Schedule of Events
On the ground - Friday, May 6th from 7pm, the evening of Champions with the awarding of the Sailors of the Year 2016 - Saturday, May 7th from 7pm, the festival of VELA Cup 2016 with the award ceremony for all participants - Sunday, May 8th from 2pm, the #plasticfantastic Tribute dedicated to 50 years of fiberglass boats - Friday, May 6th from 3pm, meeting with the great Italian sailors with the round table “Heroes or crazy?”
At sea - Saturday, May 7th from 9am to 3pm, the festival moves to the water with 200 boats participating in the VELA Cup, sailing in the Gulf of Tigullio open to any boat, from 3 metres and up - Saturday, May 7th at 10:30pm, Crazy Night race, night sailing into the port with a show of lights and sounds - Sunday, May 8th from 12 noon to 3pm, VELAFestival Watergames, an innovative race between SUPs and kayaks for all ages
Entrance to Tag Heuer VELAFestival 2016 Santa Margherita Ligure is free.
Opening hours: Thursday: 12 noon - 7pm. Friday: 10am - 7pm. Saturday: 10am -11:30pm. Sunday: 10am - 6pm.