Previous Years...
The Brixham Pirate Festival began in 2002 when members of the community decided to create an event to liven up one of the quietest bank holidays of the year.
Since those humble beginnings, the festival has grown into one of the biggest pirate gatherings in the world, with thousands of people descending from all over the world for a long weekend of swashbuckling fun and seaside shenanigans set against the authentic backdrop of the historic port.
2023
After the 2022 Festival closed a number of members of the organising committee announced that they were standing down to make way for a new team. They published a ‘Call to Arms’... with a date for a Parlay for any interested fresh blood.
The Parlay was well attended and after a few weeks preparing the New Crew were welcomed aboard the Golden Hind.
The excitement and enthusiasm amongst the fresh crew is intoxicating and the festival is sure to be the best yet.
A spokespirate said “We don’t want to change the festival that Brixham has come to know and love, but sail it into the future as there are adventures on the horizon”
Brixham Pirate Festival is planned for May Bank holiday Weekend (29th April to 1st May 2023).
2022
The 2022 event saw thousands of Pirates make their way to Brixham for the biggest Pirate Festival yet, with the tall ship the Atyla in the port over the three days, and live music from acts including The Dolmen, Black Friday, Fury, Captains Beard, The Boarding Crew, Seas of Mirth, The Filthy Spectacula, Gurdy Bird, Jolly Roger, Queen Anne's Revenge and Reivers’ Gallows. The Trafalgar Gun Company also took part bringing a taste of what it would have been like to be in a 19th Century naval battle. Wearing authentic uniforms, they used reproduction gun-decks, guns on carriages, and artillery to fire salvos over the harbour.along with a small galleon with reenactors such as the Sheppy Pirates, Star Gun Co and The River Rogues taking part in skirmishes with the Atyla.
2020 - 2021
The Covid-19 pandemic put a kai-bosh to the pirate fun and games in the streets in 2020 and 2021, but the some of the fun was streamed online for all.
2019
2019 was a great weekend for the Brixham Pirate Festival with El Galleon in the harbour and a tank of mermaids on the harbourside.
The three-day event kicked off 10am on Saturday when all the pirates muster in their finest kit for the grand opening followed by the pirate parade. Musicians led the way down Fore Street to the main stage under the Old Fish Quay. Bands, traders and stalls lined Fore Street, Middle Street, and along the harbourside. There were street entertainers, buskers, games and hundreds if not thousands of pirate costumes at the free festival.
The headline band in 2019 was The Dolmen, a Celtic pagan pirate rock band, and there were 11 other bands to hear. With music each day starting from 10.45am along with skirmishes and displays to delight pirates of all ages.
2018 and before...
A few highlights from previous years shenanigans...
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