Enjoy a 360 virtual tour of Brixham Pirate Festival, a swashbuckling mix of piratical fun and entertainment! There are LOTS of pirates, military and period re-enactors with guns and cannons making plenty of noise! The place really goes to town with the pirate decorations, everything from the lamp posts to people’s own house windows have flags, parrots or skeletons and you may even see a ship on wheels, derived from an electric wheelchair.
Update:
- 2021 event cancelled due to Covid-19
I’ve come along to the Pirate festival a couple years running now and both years have been great fun. The majority of the festival is based around the main stage and Golden hind, but there are a few stalls around the otherside of the harbour toward the King William pub. The place really goes to town with the pirate decorations, everything from the lamp posts to people’s own house windows have flags, parrots or skeletons and you may even see a ship on wheels, derived from an electric wheelchair. The atmosphere is friendly and buzzing especially toward the end of the day when everyone surrounds the main stage. This year 2019, I went into the Crown & Anchor for a pint on the Monday and they had no ales left 😲 They had been drunk dry the day before. Not the best forward planning by them.
If you want to escape all the hussle and bussle then I can recommend heading up to the Manor pub, it’s somewhat hidden and out of the way, but has a great selection of beer, gins, rum & whisky.
I have travelled over via ferry and also driven and I think the ferry is the best option as parking is very limited.
The Pirate festival is a three-day event that has been running annually since 2011, usually on the first May bank holiday weekend and is suitable for everyone and all ages. The festival takes place throughout the town with main stage right next to the Golden Hind boat in the inner harbour with the majority of shenanigans are held around the Old Fish Market on Brixham harbour side. Buskers, jugglers and other entertainers will perform around the streets and harbour of Brixham. There are other shows, re-enactments and events around the town through the weekend.
Free, yes that’s right there is no fee for the festival just turn up and have fun.
Bays usually provide the festival beer tent with all there ales on tap with Bays’ Devon Rock craft lager and Hunts Andsome Bay lightly sparkling cider.
- Tip: Buy your beer in the local pubs as it’s cheaper than the festival tent.
Bays brewery usually provide the festival drinks tent for ales, ciders and lager on one side of the stage. On the other side of the stage you’ll also find a rum bar, so you can have a proper traditional pirate drink. There is street food available also usually near the main stage and of coarse many a restaurant/bars & pubs to choose from in town.
- Curios Kitchen
- iScream (I can recommend, but pricey at £2.50 for one scoop in a tub!)
- Simply Fish (I can recommend)
- Quay 57 (I wasn’t impressed)




There are events for the kids to watch and take part in like puppet shows and street acts. Historical re-enactments and plays during the day. Fancy dress competition for age groups from little to ancient! Music to suit all tastes and more music in the (pirate filled) pubs in the evening. There will be cannons, guns and music so it might be loud!

There are numerous ways, grab a lift, taxi or catch a bus.
- Car, The Quay Road itself is closed during the event. Brixham central car park (Pay & Display) is the easiest place within easy walking distance. For free parking you could try overgang (2 hour max) or around furzeham. (Most become free after 6pm, always check the sign)
- Bus, No. 12 stops between the Baptist Church and the central car park. (Saturday runs 24 hour.)
- Taxi,
-
- Torbay Taxis: 01803 211611
- Price First Taxis: 01803 322322
- Torbay Cab Company: 01803 292292
- Riviera Taxis: 01803 212600
- Ace Taxis (Brixham): 01803 882121
- South Hams Cabs: 01803 840404
- Walk, on the South West Coastal Path, you can get to it from either direction. Just bear in mind Brixham is surrounded with hills.
- Buy your beer in the local pubs as it’s cheaper than the festival tent.
- Find out more at www.brixhampirates.com
- www.drinkaware.co.uk
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Originally posted on 09 May 2018 by Ash