To give you a flavour of what is to come, here are 20 photos from the Hartlepool Mail’s archives from when the event last visited the town in 2010.
17. Happy days
Ex mayor, Stuart Drummond, pictured with his daughter Rosemary during the Tall Ships parade. Photo: Other, third party
18. Oh I do like to be beside the seaside
Tall Ships vessels sail out into the North Sea as part of the Parade of Sail. Photo: Paul Kingston
19. Centre stage
Seth Lakeman performs at The Tall Ships in 2010. Photo: Andrew Shearer
20. Until next time
The Tall Ships set sail, embarking on their next adventure. Photo: Owen Humphreys