The Fremantle Blessing of the Fleet

FREMANTLE BLESSING OF THE FLEET FESTIVAL 2026
Sunday 25th October 2026 | St Patrick's Basilica & Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
Join the Fremantle Fishing Fleet Festival Association for one of Fremantle’s most cherished traditions, the annual Blessing of the Fleet, celebrating faith, community and the enduring maritime heritage of Fremantle’s fishing families.
Held in conjunction with Little Italy by the Sea 2026, presented by Nella Fitzgerald Events and the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour Traders Group at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour, this year’s celebration promises a spectacular day of Italian culture, music, food, family traditions and maritime heritage. Join us for:
MASS & TRIDUUM 20th - 22nd OCTOBER - the celebration begins with the traditional Triduum at St Patrick’s Basilica, Fremantle:
Tuesday 20th October | 7:30pm
Mass in Italian - dedicated to the Madonne
Wednesday 21st October | 7:30pm
Mass in English - dedicated to the youth
Thursday 22nd October | 7:30pm
Mass in English & Italian - dedicated to honouring the deceased
FESTIVAL DAY — SUNDAY 25th OCTOBER
9:30am — Mass
Mass in Italian at St Patrick’s Basilica
11:00am-8.30pm Little Italy by the Sea at Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
Little Italy By The Sea
Piazza Italia (main hub)
* Nonna Angela's Piazza with the Big Italian Lunch
* Nonna Angela's Little Italian Kitchen: kids and families learn to make pasta, pizza dough, mozzarella, arancini and Italian sweets
* Storytelling sessions on family, hospitality and community
* Main Festival Stage: headline acts, Italian music, cultural and dance performances, fashion showcases
* Licensed Italian Piazza Bar with Italian wines, Aperol Spritz, beers and food
Piazza of the Fishermen (Mews Park)
* Great Waiters Race
* Lobsters on the grill, prawn skewers and sardines
* Italian fashion parades, dance and cultural performances
* Italian Cocktail Masterclasses
* Waterfront dining, premium food and drink, VIP hospitality
* Roving Venetian Carnivale characters
Bathers Beach
* Grand Venetian Carnivale Parade, with children in handcrafted masks, stilt walkers, musicians, dancers, mermaids and the Magical Unicorns
* Mermaid Aquarium Experience and Magical Unicorns encounters
* Kids' LEGO building, workshops and beachside entertainment
WA Shipwrecks Museum Precinct
* Monster Truck Rides
* Princesses and Superheroes meet-and-greets
* Italian and exotic vehicle displays
* Interactive exhibits and family activities
* Retro Spaghetti Eating Competition
Evening finale
* Paradiso Sunset Club, with a DJ and Mediterranean music
11:30-12:30pm - Annual Rope Coiling Competition at the Molfetta Quay Carpark with amazing prizes up for grabs.
2:00pm — Traditional Procession - the procession will depart from St Patrick’s Basilica and make its way towards Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour
3:00-3:30pm - arrival of procession at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour (Molfetta Quay) and blessing of the fleet
4:30pm — Benediction - Join us back at the Basilica for the Benediction
7:00pm - From the Sea to the Stars - A Blessing of the Fleet Fireworks Spectacular
Come and be part of this very special Fremantle tradition as we gather to remember those who came before us, celebrate the fishing families and community of today and pray for the safety and prosperity of those who continue to make their living from the sea.