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Pirates Weekend Entertainment
Enjoy a weekend of swashbuckling fun at Pirates Weekend in Plymouth on 9 and 10 May, where the streets come alive with an array of talented performers and entertainment.
Join us for a weekend of pirate-themed entertainment that is sure to be a memorable experience for all! Activites run from 10am. Timings are subject to change.
Jump to: Southside Street | Quay Square and Sutton Harbour | The Parade | Royal William Yard | Commercial Wharf and West Pier | Tinside Lido & West Hoe
Southside Street
Plymouth Maritime Corps of Drums (10am)
Watch on as a band of 18th century marines walk through Southside Street playing live music. The famous march marks the start of Pirates Weekend and is an unmissable spectacle.
Jonty Depp as Captain Jack (10am-4pm)
With fair winds and calm seas ahead, the charming scoundrel Captain Jack (Jonty Depp) is setting sail once more — bound for Plymouth and the legendary Pirate Weekend on the Barbican!
He’s eager to meet his fellow buccaneers and scallywags dropping anchor in the city. Keep your spyglass handy, mates — you never know where on the Barbican he might appear, ducking the authorities and hunting for hidden treasures of every kind… After all, not all treasure is silver and gold, me hearties.
Shanty Performances (10am-4pm)
Enjoy a range of shanty performances on Southside Street throughout the weekend with plenty of performers having a sing-song across the weekend.
Check out the full shanty programme to find out who is playing and when at Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
Pirate Parade (1pm Saturday only)
Bring your pirate best dress and join in the fun in the Pirate Parade led by the Plymouth Maritime Corps of Drums along Southside Street.
The Pirates Sailabout Show (10am, 12pm, 2pm)
Captain Grimbeard and his trusty crew Sluggy, sail the seven pavements telling tall tales , performing juggling feats and magic tricks as well as gathering terrible pirate jokes to add to their extensive collection!
Pirate stiltwalkers (11am, 3pm | Saturday only)
Look out for two pirate stilt walkers roaming around the The Barbican who promise to entertain onlookers with pirate charm and plenty of tricks up their sleeve. A photo with the two of them is a must!
Mayhem Border Morris Dancers (11am | Saturday only)
Get a bit more Mayhem in your life! Mayhem Border Morris are your local Border Morris side based in Plymouth. We are a lively bunch, dancing a happy brand of Border Morris to a mix of original and traditional tunes full of Reggae and Calypso rhythms. Come and say hello and maybe, even, have a go.It's always time for a bit more Mayhem. They'll be performing outside the Stavros restaurant.
Interactive Puppets (2pm - 3pm | Saturday only)
Look out for the pirate-dressed interactive puppets around Southside Street at Pirates Weekend. The unmissable team will be wowing visitors with their pirate dress and parrots!
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Quay Square and Sutton Harbour
The Society of King George III Canon / Musket Firing (10am, 11.45am, 1.45pm 3.30pm)
The Society of King George the Third (SKG3) was formed over 30 years ago with the aim and ambition to bring to life something of the elegance and pageantry seen during the reign of King George III.
At this year's Pirate Weekend, members will be dressed as officers and ratings of His Majesty's Royal Navy in the year 1793. Complementing the displays of musketry and cannon firing will be an artefacts table and surgical equipment found onboard a tall ship of the line. (Please be aware the musket firing will be very loud, so cover your ears or stand back during the demonstration!)
10am - 4pm Shanty Performances (10am-4pm)
Enjoy a range of shanty performances on Quay Square and Sutton Harbour throughout the weekend with plenty of performers having a sing-song across the weekend.
Check out the full shanty programme to find out who is playing and when at Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
Johanna Lucretia Ship
Step aboard the Johanna Lucretia which is back for Pirates Weekend 2026. The ship is free to explore, and is the UK's only UK flagged Topsail Schooner in sail training. Find out more about the historic ships in Plymouth for Pirates weekend.
Yo Ho Ho Pirate Puppet Show (10.30am, 12.30pm, 3pm)
A good old fashion puppet show for the children, watch Yo Ho Ho and Jack Tarr and the Pirate throughout the day in what is a popular event at Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
The Parade
Shanty Performances (10am-4pm)
Enjoy a range of shanty performances on Shanty Performances throughout the weekend with plenty of performers having a sing-song across the weekend.
Check out the full shanty programme to find out who is playing and when at Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
Stalls
Check out a number of stalls trading on the parade selling local goods and crafts. Check out the Parade traders
Historical artefacts
Check out the Plymouth Martine Corps of Drums stall showcasing a range of vintage maritime artefacts which are bound to impress! While you're there make sure to grab a photo in the stocks.
Re-enactments
Learn about medieval piracy with Dreadnought Coaching. Discover its connections to the local area and how piracy shaped local and national politics in years gone by.
Fancy Dress Litter Pick
Clean our Patch CIC will be running a fancy dress litter pick to keep pirates weekend beautiful! Head to the Clean our Patch stall on the Parade to find out how you can take part.
Royal William Yard
There's a range of entertainment taking place at the Royal William Yard across the weekend. You can travel there for free using the Aargh and Ride Shuttle Bus service, or the free ferry service running from The Barbican Landing Stage. Find out more about the free transport services across the weekend.
Circus skills
Test your mettle with a pirate twist – walk the plank, juggle like an octopus, and find your sea legs on the roller bowler
Treasure hunt
Grab a map and embark on a daring quest to uncover hidden treasure concealed around Royal William Yard to claim your bounty
Craft zone
Visit the pirate craft zone to make your own pirate mask, take part in pirate puzzles and get creative
Face Painting
Transform into a fearsome pirate or a mystical mermaid
Live Music
Check out Live Music across the weekend at the Royal William Yard. Performances include:
Saturday 9 May
- Aldi Vanucci 10am - 3pm
Sunday 10 May
- Rue 12pm-1pm
- Anything but Francis 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Soft Archery and Garden Games
Delivered by High 5
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Watch Captain Jack Sparrow in the Pirates of the Caribbean screening at Everyman Cinema on Sunday 10 May at 4.45pm
RNLI Pop-Up
Taking place on Sunday 10 May (10am - 3pm)
Message in a Bottle (Sunday only)
Can you find them all? Explore RWY and uncover the hidden messages from Bistrot Pierre.
Barbers Against Prostate Cancer Pop-up
Arcade Sunday 10 May (10am - 3pm)
Commercial Wharf and West Pier
Nao Santa Maria Ship
Head to the Barbican Landing Stage on commercial Wharf where you can step aboard the Nao Santa Maria ship. The historic ship is a replica of one of the most famous ships in history. On 12 October 1492, under the command of Christopher Columbus, it played a central role in one of the most significant milestones in history: the Discovery of the Americas, the Encounter between Two Worlds that changed the course of world history.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the on-site ticket office. Find out more and buy your tickets.
Shanty Performances (10am-4pm)
Enjoy a range of shanty performances on West Pier throughout the weekend with plenty of performers having a sing-song across the weekend.
Check out the full shanty programme to find out who is playing and when at Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
Mayhem Morris Dancers (2.30pm Commercial Wharf - Saturday only)
Get a bit more Mayhem in your life! Mayhem Border Morris are your local Border Morris side based in Plymouth. We are a lively bunch, dancing a happy brand of Border Morris to a mix of original and traditional tunes full of Reggae and Calypso rhythms. Come and say hello and maybe, even, have a go. It's always time for a bit more Mayhem.
Pirates Raft Race (Sunday 4pm Commercial Wharf)
New for Pirates Weekend 2026! Build a raft, gather your crew and race in the waters around Commericial Wharf in what is set to be a fascinating closing spectacle to Plymouth Pirates Weekend. If you're not taking part cheer on from the shores! Find about more about the Pirates Raft Race and how you can take part.
Tinside Lido & West Hoe
The Sound at Tinside Lido
Head to Tinside Lido on the evening of Saturday 9 May for an evening of live music from The Sound. The event includes a BBQ and a welcome drink on entry before the popular Indie band take the night away with their unmissable music. Find out more about the event and get your tickets.
Treasure Island (All day - West Hoe)
Join us for some swashbuckling fun at Treasure Island, Plymouth's only outdoor Pirate themed adventure park. We have 18 hole adventure golf, Panning for gold, Bumper Boats, Ice Cream, make your own Slush and much much more. You will find us on Pier Street, West Hoe
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