All the music, food and activities at Tall Ships 2017 in Halifax

Seeing the tall ships up close is only part of the fun that will take over Halifax from July 29 to Aug. 1.

Against the breathtaking backdrop of the 31 graceful, tall-masted vessels moored along both sides of Halifax Harbour, there will be a ton of events.

When the ships arrive on July 29, they will be welcomed at 10 a.m. with a Blessing of the Fleet opening ceremony at the Sackville Jetty.

CBC music stage

For music lovers, CBC is presenting several free concerts throughout the event at its main stage located at the bottom of Salter Street.

Performers will include Natalie MacMaster and Symphony Nova Scotia on July 29. MacMaster performs at 8 p.m. and the symphony will follow with a tribute to Canada 150, topped off by a grand finale with cannons and fireworks.

• The RDV2017 schedule

Georges Island concert

The Joel Plaskett Emergency and Port Cities are putting on a concert July 29 on Georges Island. The event, for folks 19 years and over, begins at 11 a.m.

Ferries will depart from the Halifax waterfront to the island every 30 minutes, ending at 5:45 p.m. The cost is $35 for general admission, $75 for VIP seating.

Get some grub

There will be a variety of culinary events planned, which are hosted by Taste of Nova Scotia. There is a dinner series on Georges Island with lobster and barbecue dishes.

A family picnic on McNabs Island is being held July 29 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation is being provided by Murphy's and will cost $15 per person. The vessels will depart at 11 a.m. from the Tall Ships Quay, on the boardwalk in front of the Discovery Centre.

A downtown fish cake breakfast is being put on July 31 at Halifax's Grand Parade between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m..

Activities

Heritage programs including shipbuilding demonstrations are being offered on Citadel Hill, Georges Island and the waterfront boardwalk. Look for pirates, buskers and pop-up concerts on both sides of Halifax Harbour.

Pirate animators will be putting on re-enactments at Alderney Landing from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on July 29.

A sacred fire ceremony is being held with Mi'kmaq fire keeper Danny Paul on July 29 to 31 at 6 a.m. each day at the green space housing sand next to Bishop's Landing. This site is formally known as the Sands at Salter. There will also be a canoe-building interpretive session from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the same spot.

There will be fireworks nightly while the ships are in port.

The ships leave Halifax Harbour on Aug. 1 in a Parade of Sail beginning at noon.