to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
Pirates Weekend Entertainment
Enjoy a weekend of swashbuckling fun at Pirates Weekend in Plymouth on 17 and 18 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.
Jump to: The Parade | Quay Square and Sutton Harbour | Southside Street | Commercial Wharf | West Hoe Park | Royal William Yard | Mount Batten Tower
The Parade
Sword & Swashbuckling School (10am, 11.15am, 1.15pm and 3.15pm)
Learn to fight with a pirate sword and board enemy ships! This consists of two instructors, with child safe weapons, teaching the techniques of sword fighting on board pirate ships. Several sessions throughout each day. Each session lasts around 30 minutes, and is for ages 5 and over.
Pirate coin making
Turn your Pirate silver into pieces of eight, with an interactive coin strike. This activity will run during the day, where customers can form their own pirate coins from an authentic 17th Century mint. 50p charge per each coin struck.
Pirate Cannon Firing (10am, 11.45am, 1.45pm 3.30pm) and All Aboard talks
A display of a small ship’s cannon, with lots of artefacts and a “have-a-go” opportunity for younger children to load and fire this electronically operated theatrical ship’s gun.
Washed up Mermaid (11.30am yo 1.30pm)
A living statue of a mermaid will come to The Parade during the weekend! Sitting on an unsightly rubbish heap the silvery mermaid is an unforgettable image. Created from ocean waste, recycled plastics and repurposed materials this human statue performance shares with us a glimmer of hope and urges us to rise above the rubbish and do something about it.
Facepainting (Last admission 3.30pm)
Both Painty Faces and Lizzie’s Fluid Faces will be making an appearance, creating numerous pirates and mermaids!
Mayhem Border Morris Dancers (11am, Saturday only)
Mayhem Border Morris are a mixed adult Border Morris side based in Plymouth doing traditional and original Border dances. They dance a happy brand of Border Morris and have a brisk style, some cheeky moves and they aren't too stompy. They write many of their own dances and have ‘adjusted’ a few Border standards to suit their style.
Quay Square and Sutton Harbour
Pirate Puppet Show (10.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm)
A good old fashion puppet show for the children, watch Yo Ho Ho and Jack Tarr and the Pirate.
The Society of King George III Canon / Musket Firing (10am, 11.45am, 1.45pm and 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.
Pirate Storytelling & Songs (10am, 12pm and 2pm)
Davey Jones lunchbox will be back to tell Tall tales of the sea, perform songs and shanties; (with Dave Oliver of Rattlebox Theatre) with verve, humour and gusto on Saturday! On Sunday, Davey Jones Lunchbox pirate band will entertain you with a treasure chest of songs, shanties and musical ditties to tickle your ears with!
Southside Street
Jonty Depp as Captain Jack
With fair winds and kind seas, the lovable rogue Captain Jack (Jonty Depp) will be sailing back to Plymouth for the Pirate Weekend on the Barbican. Jack is looking forward to meeting and greeting all the pirates making port in Plymouth. Who knows where on the Barbican you might spot him as they parade around avoiding the authorities and keeping an eye out for treasures of every kind...for not all treasure is silver and gold shipmates!
The Drake Corps of Drums (10am)
Watch on as a band of marines walk through Southside Street playing live music.
Plymouth Morris Dancers (12pm and 2pm)
Plymouth Morris started in 1970 and perform dances mainly from the Cotswolds area of England. Mostly they were collected at the end of the 19th century.
They have created their own dances which use 19th century pattern naval cutlasses.These dances are unique to Plymouth. Their costume is inspired by Plymouth’s links to the sea and its sailing heritage.
Barbarossa's Band of Buccanneers (10am, 12pm and 2pm)
Setting sail for Plymouth this summer are a pirate crew like no other! Get ready to meet Black Bart, Barbarossa, Cut-throat Jake and Shanty as they cause chaos at Plymouth's Pirate weekend! These incredible masked pirate characters have been a huge international success with appearances all over Europe and even as far as Bahrain! Cheeky and lovable with hand embroidered costumes, this band of buccaneers create magical meet and greet and photo opportunities for any Pirate event. They could pop up anywhere at any time, so keep your eyes peeled for the crew, just part of an amazing pirate weekend! Drink up me hearties yo ho!
Higher Beings Pirate Stiltwalkers (11am, 1pm and 3pm)
Look out for two pirate stilt walkers roaming around the The Barbican who promise to entertain onlookers with impressive juggling tricks and pirate charm.
Mermaid Sea Quest (10.30am, 11.30am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm)
A Mermaid Sea Quest led by Melody the Mermaid. The Sea Quest will comprise of clues around the Barbican which participants will have to find accompanied by Melody the Mermaid as we complete each quest together. At each clue there will be an interactive activity...storytelling, singing songs, poems for the audience to participate in. The Quest itself will be educational as well as fun, incorporating the history of Pirates, Mermaids and The Barbican as well as addressing environmental issues. At the end of each Quest each child will receive a shell to keep as a prize for completing the Quest to add some extra magic. Meet opposite the Tourist Information Centre.
Swing Boat and Children’s ‘Try your Strength Game’
Hop aboard the swing boat by the sea and have a go at the try your strength game by the water's edge.
Mayhem Border Morris Dancers (2pm)
Mayhem Border Morris are a mixed adult Border Morris side based in Plymouth doing traditional and original Border dances. They dance a happy brand of Border Morris and have a brisk style, some cheeky moves and they aren't too stompy. They write many of their own dances and have ‘adjusted’ a few Border standards to suit their style.
Commercial Wharf
Mayhem Border Morris Dancers (1pm, Saturday only)
Mayhem Border Morris are a mixed adult Border Morris side based in Plymouth doing traditional and original Border dances. They dance a happy brand of Border Morris and have a brisk style, some cheeky moves and they aren't too stompy. They write many of their own dances and have ‘adjusted’ a few Border standards to suit their style.
Gables Dog Show (2pm, Sunday only)
Bring your furry friend to Pirates Weekend and enter them into the Gables Dog Show on Sunday18 May. Rosettes are awarded to the dogs from 1st to 4th place.
Please register at the Gables gazebo in front of the Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican before 1.30pm. Entry £2 per class per dog, all proceeds will go towards the welfare of the dogs and cats at Gables.
Classes include: Cutest Puppy (12 months and under), Young at Heart (7 years or older), Prettiest Girl, Most Appealing Eyes, Waggiest Tail, Handsomest Boy, Most Talented Trick and Dog the judge would most want to take home.
There will be a championship class for all first-place winners after all classes have finished.
Jeremiah's Journey Pirate Fun Run (Sunday only)
The Jeremiah's Journey Pirate Fun Run (18 May) will see hundreds of people dressed as pirates take to the city’s historic waterfront as they walk or run on the 5k/2.5k route. Find out more about Pirates Fun Run.
West Hoe Park
Treasure Island
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
Pirate Pandemonium Family Show (11am, 1pm and 3pm)
Get ready to set sail for adventure on board the Scurvy Shark Pirate ship!
Captain Catt and Bo’Sun Brains are joined by the most useless, half-witted crew this side of Port Royal! Together they learn what it takes to be a real-life pirate with sword fighting practice, map reading training and plenty or “Arrrs”. A silly sabre slashing interactive pirate show full of swashbuckling, swordfighting, X marks the spot and of course biscuits!
So fill up the Rum barrels and get ready to join in the fun in this family show for pirates young and old!
Royal William Yard
Set sail for Royal William Yard’s swashbuckling Pirates Weekend.
As the Yard celebrates its 200th anniversary, prepare for a treasure trove of free family fun with a historic twist.
Hunt for hidden treasure across the Yard, transform into a fearsome pirate or magnificent mermaid with face painting, and master circus skills like a nimble deck hand. Celebrate the Yard’s heritage and feast like a salty sailor by making your very own ship’s biscuit to take home!
Adventure waits for all ages, with pirate films at Everyman cinema, and grub and grog galore from the Yard’s resident restaurants, bars, and cafes.
Ship biscuit making
When it was built 200 years ago, the Yard’s bakery was the biggest factory of its kind in the country, producing bread and ship's biscuits. This weekend, visitors can step back in time and – quite literally – get their hands on history.
Children of all ages can participate in six bookable sessions over the weekend, taking home their own biscuits to bake. While these historic treats were once notorious for being infested with weevils (which sailors had to tap out before eating!), rest assured that all biscuits made this weekend will be insect free!
Ship’s biscuit making will take place at Ocean Studios and booking is advised as places are limited – booking is free and easy.
Circus skills
Test your seafaring prowess with pirate-themed challenges – 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
Enjoy live music and rousing sea shanty performances throughout the weekend. Watch a live DJ performance from Aldo Vancuci from 10am-3pm on Saturday 17 May. Music follows on the Sunday with performances from the Andy Quick Band (10.30am-11.30am), Rue (12pm-1pm) and Anything but Francis (1.30pm-2.30pm)
Pop up Stalls
Featuring crepes, hot drinks, and a seafood BBQ by The Hook & Line.
Soft Archery
Learn a skill like the sailors of old, who used archery in ship-to-ship combat! This session will be delivered by Plymouth sports provider, High 5
RNLI visit (Sunday only)
Taking place on Sunday 18th May (10am - 3pm), meet the heroes of the sea from Plymouth Lifeboat Station. Visit the lifeboats in the Marina and stalls on The Green - The lifeboat will be open from 10am - 12pm and 12.30pm -3pm
Pirate films at Everyeman Cinema
Everyman Cinema will be showing pirate classics on the big screen! Book your tickets for Treaure Planet on 3pm on Saturday 17 May. Based on one of the greatest adventure stories ever told - Robert Louis Stevenson's "Treasure Island" - this film follows Jim's fantastic journey across a parallel universe as a cabin boy aboard a glittering space galleon.
South West SUP
South West SUP will be offering a 20% discount on their activities across the weeken which includes: SUP Experience Sessions, Bespoke Sessions, Privated Group Paddles, Social Paddles and SUP Hire.
Mount Batten Tower
On Sunday 18 May the historic Mount Batten Tower is opening its doors for one day only. Visit the Tower, which is open from 10am-2pm on the day and explore the historic building which boasts unbelievable views across the city. Take the Mount Batten Ferry which journeys across the water from Mount Batten to the Barbican Landing Stage. Find out more about the Mount Batten Tower Open Day.
Discover everything to see at Pirates Weekend including:
Tweet, Follow & Share