Plymouth Pirates Weekend returns to the city

The weekend officially starts at 10:00 GMT on Saturday

Organisers of the Plymouth Pirates Weekend are hoping to attract 45,000 visitors over the two-day event.

Last year the event attracted a record 41,000 visitors

Plymouth Pirates weekend is set to return to the city on 17 and 18 May and will features street entertainers, story tellers, face painting, traditional shanty bands, a pirate dog show and more.

Entertainment takes place across the waterfront, including the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, West Hoe and Royal William Yard.

'Nine months of planning'

The weekend officially starts at 10:00 GMT on Saturday with the annual cannon firing, organisers said.

The event will see the Johanna Lucretia - the largest vessel in The Island Trust fleet and was originally built as a fishing vessel in 1945 - visit Sutton harbour.

Barbarossa's Band of Buccaneers would be new to pirates weekend 2025.

A Pirate Fun Run, which raises money for Jeremiah's Journey, will see people dressed as pirates taking part in a 5km or 2.5km course.

Jon Walton, CEO of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said the event involved about nine months of planning.

He said the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership worked in partnership with Plymouth City Council and was entirely funded by businesses.

Mr Walton said: "If the businesses didn't fund this, this event wouldn't happen, and there'd be less smiles, which isn't good for anyone.

"Meeting people, having fun and enjoying themselves is so so good for everyone's mental health."

Mr Walton added he wanted to encourage visitors to travel to the event as sustainably as as possible.

He said a free Aargh & Ride shuttle bus was running from 11:30-17:30 BST on Saturday and 12:30-17:30 on Sunday.

The bus would run on a 45-minute loop beginning at the Royal William Yard, going through Royal Parade, Lambhay Hill, West Hoe Post Office and back to the Royal William Yard.

Mr Walton said: "Just come down at the best time possible. Wear your best attire, say your Rs.

"Enjoy your wonderful ocean city because it is really, truly special."