Whitby Pirate Festival returns August 30 to September 1

Whitby Pirate Festival is set to return to North Yorkshire’s shores from August 30 to September 1 this year.

The festival first formed in 2004, starting as the Whitby International Pirate Society, and ultimately expanding to create the very first pirate day in 2008.

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In 2014, the society took over the running of Whitby Pirate Festival and extended the event to a three-day swashbuckling extravaganza.

This year’s festival is set to feature a variety of different events, aimed at both families and older festival goers, and seeks to raise money for the Whitby RNLI. So far, they’ve raised more than £10,000 for the lifeboat charity.

Whitby Pirate Festival in previous years (Image: Provided)

The festival kicks off on Friday night where people can prepare for traditional shanty music from The Jack Tars, fresh from their European tour, and continues with another live band on Saturday - the Auckland Shanty Singers, who will be in town for an evening of pirate shanties.

During the day on Saturday and Sunday, there will be performances by The Whitby Tillermen, Ravens Morris, Coleen’s Fancy, Pirates on Deck, Pen and Stu, and the Whitby Community Choir, with Captain Jack lookalike, Colin Fortune, entertaining crowds between acts and recruiting a gang of young ‘scallywags’ for fun and mayhem.

Performers at the Whitby Pirate Festival (Image: Provided)

There will also be a Best Dressed Pirate Competition, Pirate Creation Station for Mini Marauders, and Geocache treasure hunts where prizes can be found where X marks the spot.

Music fans are invited to attend the Find yer Sea Legs Shanty Workshops where they’ll be taught the perfect shanties to sing whilst sailing the ‘High Cs’.

As for those hoping to get the perfect shot for their Instagram instead, a group photo will be taken on board the Whitby Endeavour on Saturday at midday. In addition, on Sunday at 11.15am, seadogs will have the opportunity to meet a mermaid and join in a group photo at the Bandstand.

On Sunday afternoon, there will be a Hoist the Colours to celebrate 20 years of the Whitby Pirates where people are invited to the bandstand at 1pm to raise their flags.

Previous attendees at Whitby Pirate Festival (Image: Provided)

Rosie B, Event Organiser, said: “Grab your tricorn or just your swash and your buckle and join us at Whitby Pirate Festival we cannot wait to welcome all our Whitby pirates, of all ages, from near and far for a weekend of unforgettable shenanigans.”

Unfortunately, for those hoping to sail their ships into the harbour, Whitby Swing Bridge will be down and closed to traffic during the weekend’s events – in order to ensure the safety of those participating.

For a full list of events, visit the Facebook page.