Ghost Ships Festival

The Ghost Ships Festival is two-day public, community event held annually in Wisconsin to promote research, education and public awareness of Great Lakes maritime history through the stories, remains and underwater archeology of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Founded in Milwaukee in 1999, the Ghost Ships Festival brings together scuba divers, underwater archeologists, maritime historians, state and federal agencies, community tourism resources, local educators, academic archeology programs, diving charter businesses, dive equipment manufacturers and lakeshore communities to celebrate, study, promote and experience our area’s rich maritime history through the vehicle of ships that were lost on the Great Lakes.

The Ghost Ships Festival is hosted by the Wisconsin Underwater Archeology Association, a 501c3 non-profit organization that trains interested members of the public to assist professional underwater archeologists in researching, surveying and documenting historic shipwreck sites. It is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Archeology program and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.

The Ghost Ships Festival includes presentations and workshops by avocational shipwreck hunters, professional and avocational underwater archeologists, documentary producers and maritime historians as well as performances and displays by regional musicians and artists.

All events will be held at the Inn on Maritime Bay, 101 Maritime Dr., Manitowoc, WI. All attendees will receive a $5 discount on admission to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, which is adjacent to the hotel. When booking a room, be sure to ask for the Ghost Ships Festival rate or use discount code TE321R.

For more information and advance tickets, visit the official Ghost Ships Festival website.