Overview
“Brixham Pirate Festival, Britain’s Best Award Winning Pirate Festival” Live Music – Shanty market – Living History & Reenactments – Street entertainment. All this & more for FREE!
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.
In 2024, the Brixham Pirate Festival was honored to host the International Pirate Committee Rendezvous, a prestigious event that attracted pirates from around the world. This recognition has established the festival’s reputation as the “Finest International Pirate Festival in the World.” The event highlighted the vibrant pirate culture and showcased the community’s enthusiasm, creating a memorable experience for attendees and participants alike.
In 2024, the festival featured the addition of ‘Town Square’ and a Children’s Parade on the quieter, family-oriented Monday. These additions proved to be a great success, attracting families and fostering a welcoming atmosphere for attendees of all ages.
In 2022 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 re-enactors such as the Sheppy Pirates, Star Gun Co and The River Rogues taking part in skirmishes with the Atyla.
The most recent Brixham Pirates Festival was held over the May Bank Holiday 2025.