Events & Rentals

The Kalmar Nyckel and Copeland Maritime Center host fun and exciting community events throughout the year and provide a truly unique experience for private parties, business gatherings, wedding celebrations, and more.

Rent Our Copeland Maritime Center

The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation's beautiful riverfront center is available for private business and social gatherings, weddings, bar/bat mitzvah’s, quinceañeras, and more, all year long. Plan an unforgettable event with a choice of event spaces.

Schedule A Tour

Private Sails & Tall Ship Parties

Plan a private sail or dockside party on the Tall Ship of Delaware for a one-of-a-kind celebration. Ask about including the Copeland Maritime Center for a special indoor pre- or post lunch, dinner or cocktail party.

Book Your Party

Learn to Sail! Volunteer Open Houses

Interested in sailing? 17th century maritime history?Woodworking, learning new skills, meeting new people? Attend a fall/winter Volunteer Open House, tour our ship, and learn about Winter Crew Training.

Register Online

Weddings & Receptions

Say “I do” aboard the Kalmar Nyckel during a cruise or at the dock. Then enjoy a dockside reception or an indoor reception in the Copeland Maritime Center. Plan a truly unforgettable experience to celebrate your special day.

Wedding Packages

Halloween Ghost Ship

Have spooky fun with free indoor Ghost Ship tours, pumpkin painting, costume parade, crafts, ship tours Free admission & parking. Fees for some activities.

Team Building Programs

We offer team building and leadership programs for organizations seeking an engaging setting to collaborate and overcome challenges together.

Film & Photography

Kalmar Nyckel offers unique dockside and underway opportunities to capture magnificent sailing scenes and pirate action for your next production.

Sailing crew must be at least 18 years old, or aged 14-17 with a parent/guardian.
All participants must be physically able to safely perform all basic crew responsibilities on deck, as dictated by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and the Kalmar Nyckel Foundation. This includes climbing vertical ladders, climbing up to our fore deck, hauling lines, and assisting passengers during emergencies. Participants are NOT required to climb the rigging.
A background check is required for all crew. This fee is paid directly to the third party company that performs the checks.
Participation in our random drug testing program is required by the USCG (fee included in the registration fee paid to the KNF)
Volunteers must be able to commute to Wilmington, DE.

2026 Class Schedule

Class will be held every Saturday from mid-January to early April beginning January17, 2026-April 11, 2026. Class time is: FULL DAY, (9am-4:30pm) for 3 sessions: Feb. 7, Feb. 21, and March 14, and HALF DAY on the remaining days (9am-12:30pm). Lunch Available on the full days for $5/Sodas $2, but do pack a lunch for half days if qualify as a climber, as climbing training will occur after lunch starting half way through the class. All participants will be required to help with clean up after class on a rotating schedule (plan on 15-20 min extra every other week or so).
We will NOT have class on 3 dates: March 7, 2026, March 21, 2026, and April 4, 2026. Those will be big rig-up days and Lego Shipbuilding Day (on March 1). We encourage you to join us for these days but will understand if you need a Saturday off.
The first 2 classes will be held on ZOOM. (Do not come to the shipyard for the first 2 classes).
There will be extra practice time available outside of class for those who wish to get more hands-on practice. We will schedule these on Saturday afternoons, Sundays, and weekdays for your convenience. These sessions are not required, but are recomended.

Location

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation Shipyard, 1124 East 7^th St. Wilmington, DE 19801

Registration

New registrants will be accepted through January 27, 2026. Call our office, and ask for Capt. Sharon to discuss.

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Copeland Maritime Center

at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard

1124 E 7th Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

302.429.7447

Wednesday–Friday: 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am - 4:00pm

Sundays: 10:00am-4:00pm on May 25-Oct. 26, 2025

Additional hours and by appointment

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