All you need to know about Plymouth Pirates Weekend

Pirates Weekend is making waves as it returns to Plymouth this May – so dust off your eye patch and get ready to set sail for a swashbuckling weekend packed with high-seas adventure and family fun! 

Join in the pirate fun action across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Royal William Yard and West Hoe, with events happening at Southside Street, Quay Square, West Pier, The Parade, Commercial Wharf, West Hoe and Royal William Yard.  

There’s plenty to enjoy across the two days. Take a look at all you need to know about this year’s event.  

When is it?   

Pirates Weekend returns to Plymouth on the weekend of 9-10 May. 

What’s On? 

There’s no shortage of swashbuckling fun at Pirates Weekend in Plymouth, where the streets burst into life with pirate-themed excitement. Expect a weekend packed with talented performers and thrilling entertainment including, musket firing, a pirate parade, the pirates raft race, Captain Jack, pirate stiltwalkers, Morris Dancers, arts and crafts activities, interactive puppet shows and more.  

Take a look at the full entertainment schedule. 

Will there be live music?   

Get ready to soak up the atmosphere with lively sea shanties performed by talented local bands, bringing a mix of traditional tunes, folk favourites, and original songs to life at spots all along the waterfront. 

Check out the full sea shanty programme programme 

Will there be historic ships?

Yes! There will be two ships on The Barbican during the weekend. The Nao Santa Maria will be moored at the Barbican Landing Stage for Pirates Weekend. The ship arrives in Plymouth on Wednesday 6 May and will be here throughout Pirates Weekend for visitors to climb aboard. Tickets can be booked online or purchased on arrival. Find out more about the Nao Santa Maria tall ship. 

The Johanna Lucretia will also be coming to Pirates Weekend. You can discover the onlu UK flagged Topsail Schooner moored on Sutton Harbour from 10am-4pm. Entry is free.

Find out more about the historic ships coming to Pirates Weekend. 

Pirates Raft Race  

Take to the seas on watch on from the shores as the Pirates Raft Race takes place on Sunday 10 May. Teams will battle it out on a circuit around Commercial Wharf in their pirate-themed rafts, it’s set to be a spectacle not to be missed! 

Find out more about this year’s Pirate Raft Race. 

Treasure Trail

Take on this year’s Pirate Trail – Buccaneer Bingo! 

It’s free family fun, where you’ll hunt down clues to complete your card and claim your prize from the Tourist Information crew. But keep your wits about you… rival pirates might try to sneak a look at your answers, and any cheats will be made to walk the plank! 

Pick up your free trail map from the Tourist Information Centre throughout the weekend and return your completed clues to claim your prize. 

Can I wear fancy dress? 

Fancy dress is highly encouraged for plymouth pirates Weekend. The historic streets will be packed full of people wearing fancy dress. Bring your best pirate outfit and you can even win a prize in the return of the Best Dressed Pirate Competition. Simply take a picture of yourselves at Plymouth Pirates Weekend wearing your best dress pirate costume to be in with a chance of winning gift voucher prizes! 

Find out more about the Best Dressed Pirate Competition.  

What's happening at the Royal William Yard?

Pirate celebrations take place all the way across the waterfront including at the impressive Royal William Yard where the is plenty of pirate-themed fun for all to get nvolved with. Have a go at the treausre trail and circus skills, make your own ship biscuits, watch live music and more throughout the weekend. Check out the full schedule of entertainment at the Royal William Yard.

Are there local traders?  

Visit the exhibitors at Pirates Weekend in Plymouth and immerse yourself in a world of adventure, excitement and learning!  

Discover a treasure trove of unique goods, from handcrafted pirate-themed trinkets to gifts fit for a buccaneer, plus, learn more about Plymouth's part in maritime history and conservation. Take a look at all the traders coming to Plymouth Pirates Weekend.

What travel options are there?

Travel from the Barbican to the Royal William Yard for free via bus or via ferry throughout Pirates Weekend! The Aaargh and Ride bus service is back for the event, taking passengers to Brewery Tap where they can change to the number 34 service bus which takes them to the Yard where the pirate fun continues!

Alternatively, head to the Barbican Landing Stage where return ferries will be departing to the Yard every hour. Both of these travel options are free!

Further travel information for Plymouth Pirates Weekend 

Access information

Pirates Weekend is a very popular event so it can get very busy. If you prefer to visit when there are fewer people around then we’d recommend aiming to be there for the first hour of the day, between 10am and 11am, when it’s quieter.

If you find yourself needing any help on the day, pop into the Barbican Tourist Information Centre or look out for the stewards wearing high-viz jackets as they’ll be happy to help.

View access information for Plymouth Pirates Weekend

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In partnership with GWR, Destination Plymouth’s lead travel partner