Plymouth Pirates Weekend is back – and with a fun run, sword-fighting, pirate trail, a dog show and lots of swashbuckling free activities for families, it looks set to be the biggest and best yet!
This is a collaborative post
The city’s waterfront is set to see thousands of visitors over the weekend of May 17 and 18, so put it in your diary, get your eye patch, sword and pirate hat on and be ready to Shiver Your Timbers with LOADS of fabulous fun.
Supported by the businesses of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, Plymouth Pirates Weekend, now in its 14th year, is offering a treasure trove of family-friendly entertainment not just on the historic Barbican and Sutton Harbour, but across to West Hoe, and the Royal William Yard.
Pirates of all ages can enjoy storytellers, pirate coin making, cannon firing, face painting, watch traditional shanty bands perform, meet local traders and also bring their pet pooches to join in with the Gables Farm dog show.
Kids can even learn how to sword-fight. I know where my boys will be! And of course it wouldn’t be Plymouth Pirates Weekend without the well known Jonty Depp as Captain Jack.
Jon Walton and Kim Downer, from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “We’re so excited to be bringing the Plymouth Pirates Weekend back for another year. It’s always a fantastic opportunity for families to come together, enjoy our beautiful waterfront, and immerse themselves in a world of pirate adventure. The weekend is packed with activities, both free and for a small fee, that will keep everyone entertained.
With thanks to Plymouth City Council, Plymouth CityBus, Hay’s Travel and of course, the businesses of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership that each year support this iconic weekend in Plymouth’s event calendar.”
Join the Crew and Take Part in Pirates Weekend Fun Run
One of the most exciting elements to Plymouth Pirates Weekend 2025 is the Jeremiah’s Journey Pirate Fun Run. Taking place on Sunday May 18, it’s a fantastic opportunity to stretch those sea legs and either walk, jog or run around Plymouth’s historic quarter and picturesque waterfront. All the family can take part, and there’s a choice between a nautical or nice route – 5km or 2.5km. Dressing up in pirate costume is actively encouraged! And it all raises money for the amazing children’s bereavement charity at the same time.
Plymouth Active will lead the warm up and last year’s Plymouth Community Hero, Jo Connett will officially start the fun run.
This is more than just a fun run, it’s a chance to make a real difference. All sponsor monies raised by participants will go towards Jeremiah’s Journey, PWP’s chosen charity for Plymouth Pirates Weekend, supporting their vital work in our community.
Jon Walton from Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “Don’t miss out on this fun event and all in aid of a beloved local charity, Jeremiah’s Journey. We’re aiming for a ‘sea of pirates’ to join us this year! Is this a proclamation? Could we run 500 pirates more! Make sure you sign up soon.”
John Naismith, from Jeremiah’s Journey, added: “Jeremiah’s Journey are delighted to be partnering again with Plymouth Waterfront Partnership for the 2025 Pirate Fun Run, now officially named the ‘Jeremiah’s Journey Pirate Fun Run.
“The support from partnering on events such as this is crucial for us. Not only does it generate significant funds to support us in our work, but the partnership raises the profile of Jeremiah’s Journey locally. Plymouth Pirates Weekend brings in people from across the area and having our charity associated with the Pirate Fun Run gives Jeremiah’s Journey an additional level of awareness to many who may not otherwise know of the essential services that we provide to young people and their families at the saddest times in their lives. Thank you PWP for your support.”
If you fancy taking part, register for your place here. If a fun run isn’t your thing, line the route and shout a few ‘Avast me Hearties’ or ‘Ahoys’ to the runners instead.
Pirates Weekend Treasure Trail
This year there will also be a Pirates Weekend Treasure Trail for families to take part in. The trail is free, with a map available at the Tourist Information Centre. Just watch out for other pirates trying to sneak a peek at your answers – any cheats will have to walk the plank! Once completed, return your answers to the Tourist Information Centre to claim your prize.
Pirates Weekend Dog Show
Another popular feature of Plymouth Pirates Weekend is the Gables Farm dog show on the Sunday afternoon. Classes include Cutest Puppy, Young at Heart, Prettiest Girl, Most Appealing Eyes, Waggiest Tail, Handsomest Boy, Most Talented Trick and Dog The Judge Would Most Want To Take Home.
Rosettes will be awarded to the dogs from 1st to 4th place, then there will be a championship class for all first-place winners.
Bring your furry friend along and register them at the Gables gazebo in front of the Tourist Information before 1.30pm. Entry is £2 per class per dog, with all proceeds going towards the welfare of the dogs and cats at Gables.
Best Dressed Pirate Competition
If you’re heading down to Plymouth Pirates Weekend, then really get into the spirit of things with your costumes – and be in with a chance of winning a prize for your efforts.
Take a picture of yourself at the event in your pirate costumes and enter the Best Dressed Pirate Competition. There are both adult and child categories with the winner of Best Dressed Adult receiving a £50 Love Plymouth gift card, whilst the winner of the children’s category can get their hands on a £20 Smyths toy shop voucher. Find out how to enter and upload your photo here and make sure you do it by 9am on Monday May 20.
Plymouth Pirates Weekend officially starts at 10am on Saturday May 17 with the traditional cannon firing – those attending who don’t like loud noises are advised to be aware that cannon firing will occur at intervals across the weekend, you can visit the website for timings.
Family-friendly entertainment
You can check out all the entertainment planned on the website but here is a little taste of it.
What’s going on at The Parade:
- Sword and 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 to 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.
- Face Painting (Last admission 3.30pm)
Both Painty Faces and Lizzie’s Fluid Faces will be making an appearance, creating numerous pirates and mermaids. We all know how popular this is going to be!
- 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. Sounds like one to watch!
What’s going on at Quay Square and Sutton Harbour:
- Pirate Puppet Show (10.30am, 12.30pm and 3pm)
A good old fashioned 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 Plymouth Pirates 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 and 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.
What’s going on at 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 Pirates 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 he parades 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.
- Higher Beings Pirate Stilt Walkers (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 consist 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.
- 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. They could pop up anywhere at any time, so keep your eyes peeled for the crew.
What’s going on at Commercial Wharf:
- Mayhem Border Morris Dancers
After their performance at The Parade at 11am, the dancers will also be showing off their skills at 1pm at Commercial Wharf.
- Gables Dog Show (2pm, Sunday only)
- Jeremiah’s Journey Pirate Fun Run (Sunday only)
What’s going on at West Hoe
- Treasure Island
Head to West Hoe Park for some swashbuckling fun at Treasure Island, Plymouth’s only outdoor Pirate themed adventure park. It has an 18 hole adventure golf course, panning for gold, bumper boats, ice cream, make your own slush and much more.
- 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 of “Arrrs”. A silly sabre slashing interactive show for swashbuckling pirates young and old.
What’s going on at Royal William Yard:
Don’t forget to head to the Royal William Yard this Pirates Weekend for even more fun. And remember you can hop on the ferry from the Barbican to the Yard to make the journey even more convenient.
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.
- 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
- Ship’s Biscuit
Make your very own ship’s biscuit to take home!
- Face Painting
Transform into a fearsome pirate or a mystical mermaid
- Live Music
Enjoy live music and rousing sea shanty performances throughout the weekend
- Roaming entertainment
Keep your eyes open for walk-around entertainment appearing on site
- Pop-up Stalls
Including crepes, hot drinks and a seafood BBQ by The Hook & Line
- RNLI Visit
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 stall on The Green
How to get to Plymouth Pirates Weekend
There are loads of ways to get to Plymouth Pirates Weekend. Check them all out here.
There’s a free Plymouth CityBus ‘Aargh and Ride’ shuttle bus (Service No 25P) for the weekend to access the waterfront, and don’t forget the ferry from Mountbatten, Barbican and Royal William Yard.
More information on Plymouth Pirates Weekend
There is so much going on, I defy any of you to enjoy scallywags to not enjoy Plymouth Pirates Weekend 2025. If you need anymore information about access, travel, entertainment schedules and what’s going on, you can find it here.
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