Pirate Festivals with the Kids

Yo Ho, Yo Ho A Pirate’s Life for Me!

Does your child fall into the category of pirate obsessed?  Is your DVR filled with Jake and the Neverland Pirates, and Peter Pan?  Does your yard become a pirate ship at the mention of buried treasure?  Pirates are one of those things that can spark a child’s imagination and encouraging that spark is what we do at Pirate Adventures on the Chesapeake every day.  In the interest of serving our pirate loving customers we have compiled a list of pirate festivals around the country that are appropriate for the family and will keep you pirate crazed little one dreaming of mermaids and gold doubloons.

Pirate Festivals in our Area – Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia

Come aboard for a Pirate Adventure and participate in a treasure hunt on the water, get your tattoos and mustaches painted on and then hit one of these pirate festivals close to our location in Annapolis, Maryland.

Rock Hall Pirate and Wenches Fantasy Weekend

When: August 7-9, 2015

Where: The waterfront Town of Rock Hall.  Rock Hall is located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Kid’s Attractions: Participate in a town wide treasure hunt, check out the living history pirate encampment and reenactment and the decorated dinghy contest.

More Information: rockhallpirates.com

Maryland Renaissance Festival

When:  Weekends August 29th through October 25th, 2015

Where: Set in a fictional town called Revel Grove just outside of Annapolis, MD

Special Events: Children’s Weekend – August 29th & 30th
Pirate Weekend – September 19th and 20th.  Find out more about the Maryland Renaissance Festival Special Events

Kids’s Attractions: Kid’s attractions include free pony rides, hair braiding and facepainting, and a pirate ship playground.  Roam the grounds and discover pirate actors, sword fighting, and treat your kids to a turkey leg!

More Information: rennfest.com

Pirate Fest at Lake Fairfax Park

When: May 2nd, 2015

Where: Lake Fairfax Park, Reston VA

Kid’s Attractions: Participate in a treasure hunt, science and craft activities, and a pirate costume contest.  Find puppet shows and other children’s activities at the Children’s Cove.

More Information: fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/lakefairfax/pirate-fest.htm

Pirate Festivals Worth the Trip

Plan a family vacation with a stop at one of these pirate festivals sure to live up to your little mate’s expectations.  Don’t forget to come see us at Pirate Adventures before you go!

Blackbeard Pirate Festival

When: May 30th and 31st, 2015

Where: Hampton, VA

Kid’s Attractions: Check out three tall ships docked in the Harbor and watch a reenactment of the sea battle that claimed Blackbeard’s life.  Head to Blackbeard’s pirate camp and learn how to use a cutlass, load a cannon, and sing a sea shanty.  The Little Swashbuckler’s area includes a stage with children’s pirate performers and puppet shows, an opportunity for photos with pirates and mermaids, and even pirate games and crafts.

More Information: hampton.gov/blackbeard

Blackbeard Pirate Jamboree

When: October 30th – November 1st, 2015

Where: Ocracoke Island

Kid’s Attractions:  Step back in time on this sand spit of an island in the Outer Banks.  Easily imagine Blackbeard and his crew camping under the oaks and standing on the beach looking for enemy ships.  Visit Scallywag School for kids and learn about 18th century games and naval weapons.  Head to the docks and see the tall ships and stop by the front porch of the Ocracoke Preservation Society to make some pirate crafts.

More Information:  piratejamboree.com

New England Pirate Faire

When: July 26th and 27th, 2015

Where:  Located on the grounds of the living history museum of Pioneer Village in Salem, MA

Kid’s Attractions:  Take part in an interactive family friendly adventure “Felicity Dane and the Diamond in the Rough,” a story about a young girl who finds herself an ally to Captain Anne Bonny as she searches for a legendary diamond.  Check out the Tortuga Marketplace and the cannon demonstrations.

More Information: newenglandpiratefaire.com

Tybee Island Pirate Fest

When: October 8th – 11th, 2015

Where: Tybee Island, GA

Kid’s Attractions: Performances include magicians, puppeteers, storytellers, and weaponry demonstrations.   Bounce houses and a carnival complete with a ferris wheel can be found in Little Matey’s Cove.

More Information: tybeepiratefest.com

We hope you have found a pirate festival that works for your family.   Leave a comment if you know of others that you have found to be kid-friendly and we’ll grow our list.  Hope to see you at Pirate Adventures this season!