Swanage Pirate Festival has celebrated its 10th anniversary in perfect Caribbean weather – and even welcomed a special guest star in Captain Jack Sparrow.
The event began under clear blue skies on Saturday 23rd May 2026 with a pirate parade down Shore Road, and a beach battle in which Captain Jack was captured by the King’s militia men, before the pirates set up camp on Sandpit Field.
There were pirates aplenty visiting the Swanage festival on Saturday 23rd May
The day began with a pirate parade down Shore Road and a battle on the beach
Buccaneer booty and nautical costume
The two-day festival continues on Sunday 24th May 2026 from 10 am with a full day of events starting with pirate training and another beach battle, before a sea shanty concert and a display of cannon fired by Wimborne Militia.
Guests entered into the spirit of the festival by dressing up as pirates, and with plenty of craft tents selling buccaneer booty and nautical costume, it was easy to join in with the fun.
But the popular festival nearly folded in 2024 after long time organisers Dawn and Colin Honey had to step down as organisers, only being saved when Louise Hodgson and Jeremy Wren stepped into the breach just weeks before the 2025 event.
Despite the fact that they’re based 190 miles from the Dorset coast in Birmingham, the couple ran a shipshape event, and now in their second year, the festival is growing in size and popularity again.
Cookery demonstrations involved some primitive methods
Replica artefacts demonstrated what life was like in pirating times – this is a portable handwash
The golden age of pirating
Louise Hodgson said:
“We have a few more stalls this year because we have had more time to organise it, and we are really happy with the way it looks.
“Swanage Pirate Festival is not only great fun, we have tried to make it educational as well, a community, family event with living history and displays.
“We can show people what life was like in the golden age of pirating when Blackbeard lived on the docks at Bristol, and we’ve invited the Wimborne militia men along as well, who will be firing their cannon in a standoff with the pirates.
“We are committed to the festival for years ahead – the only question mark currently over future years is what will happen to Sandpit Field events once work starts to stabilise the seafront, but we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it.”
Louise Hodgson is committed to running the pirate festival for the foreseeable future
Both days of the festival begin with a pirate parade down Shore Road
Historical costumes were on display everywhere
“Swanage is such a popular resort”
Louise added:
“The weather has been absolutely perfect for the opening day of our festival, and Sunday looks just as nice – the only problem is that the heat is a little too much if you are wearing full costume, I’m not sure how the militia manage!
“It was quite blustery last year, which gave us a few worries about firing cannon, but the warm weather this year has brought everyone up to the field, which means the traders are happy and are therefore more likely to come again and again.
“We have tried to rotate the food stalls so there are new food traders from last year, giving people variety, and we have had a lot of enthusiasm from traders wanting to take part.
“Among the traders we have the Purple Faeries from Essex and Ceolred Monger from York – Swanage is such a popular resort and there are no end of pirates who want to come down and spend a weekend here!”
The Wimborne Militia were sworn to keep the King’s peace in Swanage – no easy task with so many pirates around
The militia were obliged to open fire on Swanage’s pirates, several times
“Could we organise better weather?”
Jeremy Wren said:
“It is all self funded and all the re-enactors give their time for free – we have a great lineup, including Wimborne Militia, Greyhounds, River Rogues, and the Privateers.
“I’ve been involved in the pirate community for more than 10 years with the Brixton pirate festival and similar events and we took part in the Swanage festival for six years before we volunteered our services to run it.
“Last year, one of our reenactors came to us at the end and said they had really enjoyed the event, but could we organise better weather for 2026! We didn’t think we could promise that – but just look at what we have managed!”
Swanage Town Band held a concert of nautical themed tunes at the bandstand
A perfect day to enjoy open air music from Swanage’s beautiful bandstand
A chorus of cannon fire
Swanage Town Band joined in the fun with a pirate themed concert at Swanage Bandstand, with a full programme of maritime music.
More than 100 people sat down to listen to the concert, several enjoying picnics in the sun as well as the music.
Town band conductor John Watkins said he was delighted to hold their first bandstand concert of the year – even if it was a little challenging to play at the same time as a chorus of cannon fire from the neighbouring Sandpit Field!
Swanage is full of pirates across the festival weekend
The Purple Faeries came all the way from Essex to open their stall of pirate plunder
Time flies when you’re having rum…
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