Something for all the crew at this year’s Plymouth Pirates Weekend

30th April 2024

There’s just over two weeks to go until the ever-popular Plymouth Pirates Weekend returns to Britain’s Ocean City. Being held on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th May, this year's event hosted by Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, for the 13^th year running, promises to be the biggest and best yet.

With a swashbuckling programme including a huge range of free, and paid for, family-friendly activities stretching across the entire waterfront, from the historic Barbican to the Royal William Yard, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Jon Walton, CEO, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership:

“We truly do believe that this year’s Plymouth Pirates Weekend will be the biggest and best yet. Thousands and thousands of people enjoy this popular weekend each year but we also need to keep it fresh and exciting not just for visitors but also for our businesses who support it. We’ve got a packed programme over both days to keep all your crew entertained!”

Across the two days, and from The Parade on the Barbican to the Royal William Yard via West Hoe Park and Commercial Wharf, visitors will be able to enjoy a range of entertainment including:

• Swashbuckling School
• Pirate Coin Making
• Pirate Cannon and All Aboard
• Face painting
• Pirate Puppet Show
• The Society of King George III Canon/Musket Firing
• Pirate Storytelling and Songs
• Mermaid Seaquest
• Pirate Prank Show (Saturday only) and Pirate Pandemonium (Sunday only)
• Treasure Hunt (Royal William Yard)
• Spanish Tall Ship Galeón Andalucía and the Pascual Flores will be visiting Plymouth from 15^th to 19^th May – Barbican Botanics are the Historic Ships sponsor for Plymouth Pirates Weekend
• The ever-popular Pirates Weekend Trail – pick up your free trail map included in the Plymouth Pirates Weekend entertainment leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre. Complete the trail and return your answers to the Tourist Information Centre to claim your prize
• Not forgetting our furry friends, there’s a pirate themed dog show being held by Gables on Saturday 18^th May at West Hoe Park. The park will also have market stalls and children’s entertainment across the two days.

For a full list of entertainment and timings please visit https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/major-events/plymouth-pirates-weekend/entertainment-programme

And to make sure you can enjoy the weekend to its fullest right across the waterfront, Plymouth Citybus will be running a free shuttle bus that will run from the Barbican area to Royal William Yard via the Hoe and West Hoe during the Pirates Weekend between 10am and 4pm (Saturday) and 11.30am to 4pm (Sunday). The shuttle bus service will be known as service 25P - this service will be in addition to their usual 25 service. The full route and timings can be found at https://www.plymouthbus.co.uk/pirates-weekend-shuttle-bus

This year, the popular weekend also features the UK’s first ever Pirate Fun Run - brought to you in partnership with Taurus Events. Enjoy a 3km walk/jog/run around the Barbican and the Hoe and take in the spectacular waterfront views dressed as a pirate! But be quick to sign up mateys as registration closes on 9^th May – sign up via https://race-nation.co.uk/register/plymouth-waterfront-partnership/pirates-fun-run

Avast ye! the entire Plymouth waterfront, from the historic Barbican to the vibrant Royal William Yard, will be transformed into a pirate's paradise on Saturday 18^th and Sunday 19^th May. For more information, please visit https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/major-events/plymouth-pirates-weekend