🗓️ Saturday 23rd – Sunday 24th May 2026
Invading the beach and taking up post at Sandpit Field, the pirates are back in Swanage for another weekend of swashbuckling shenanigans and skirmishes – this year celebrating their 10th anniversary.
Watch as they practise their musket and cannon fire, parade through town and show off their sword-fighting skills at the Battle of the Beach.
There’ll be living history encampments at Sandpit Field, along with craft stalls, face painting and food & drink stands.
- Entry: Free
2025 Programme
Here’s a look at what happened last year:
Saturday 24th May
- 10am: Site open
- 10.30am: Pirate parade
- 11.30am: Cannon display
- 12.30pm: Beach battle
- 1.30pm: Sea shanty singing
- 2.30pm: Field battle
- 4pm: Sword training
- 5pm: Site close
Sunday 25th May
- 10am: Site open
- 10.30am: Pirate training
- 11.30am: Cannon display
- 12.30pm: Beach battle
- 1.30pm: Sea shanty singing
- 2.30pm: Field battle
- 4pm: Sword training
- 5pm: Site close
Special notices
- Beach battle timings are approximate due to tides
- Cannon fire is extremely loud – if pets or children are scared of loud noises, it’s best to move away until after the display
Stallholders
Applications from stallholders are now open, and any offers of sponsorship for the event, whose reenactors provide their services free of charge, are welcomed.
Email pirate-festival@outlook.com for information.
Find out more on the pirates’ Facebook page: www.facebook.com/purbeckpiratefestival/
Volunteer at the Pirate Festival
With over 1,000 visitors each day of the Swanage Pirate Festival, many hands make light work of all the jobs that need doing to ensure the weekend runs smoothly.
No experience is necessary – simply a bit of community spirit and helping out with marshalling and litter-picking etc.
If you’d like to join the ‘crew’, get in touch with the team – all their contact details can be found on the festival’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/purbeckpiratefestival
