What's on
From the far corners of the seven seas, pirates descend upon the Brixham Pirate Festival to bring mischief, magic, and merriment - this year’s crew be ready to entertain buccaneers of all ages! 🏴☠️
Living History & Skirmishes
Step into the past and witness the sights, sounds, and spirit of a true pirate skirmish!
Throughout the Brixham Pirate Festival, our Living History crews will bring history roaring to life with thrilling displays of cannon fire, musket shots, and full-scale skirmishes. Expect the clash of steel as swordfighters duel, the crack of gunfire echoing across the harbour, and the boom of cannons rolling like thunder.
These performances are carefully choreographed by experienced reenactors, offering an exciting glimpse into life (and conflict!) on the high seas. You’ll see authentic costumes, weaponry, and battle drills as crews recreate the drama of pirate encounters and naval skirmishes.
⚠️ Please note: These displays include loud bangs, smoke, and sudden noises, which may not be suitable for very young children, pets, or those sensitive to sound.
Whether you’re a history lover or just in search of some high-energy entertainment, this is one spectacle you won’t want to miss- so gather round, hold fast, and prepare for action! 🏴☠️⚓
Childrens Entertainment
🏴☠️ Children’s Entertainment 🏴☠️
Each year, the Brixham Pirate Festival is packed with fun for our youngest pirates!
From meeting colourful characters and joining in lively games and dancing, to getting creative in hands-on workshops, there’s something to keep every little buccaneer entertained. Set off on exciting treasure hunts, take part in competitions, and be amazed by our talented bubble artists and caricaturists.
With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect place for children to play, explore, and let their imaginations run wild on the high seas! ⚓✨
Ships on The Town Pontoon 2026
⚓ The Nao Santa María – A Ship That Changed the World ⚓
We are proud to welcome the magnificent Nao Santa María to Brixham—a faithful representation of one of the most important ships in human history.
In 1492, this vessel served as the flagship of Christopher Columbus during his historic voyage across the Atlantic. Departing from Spain alongside the Pinta and the Niña, the Santa María led a crew of around 90 men into the unknown. After 33 days at sea, they reached the shores of the Americas—an encounter between two worlds that would forever alter the course of global history.
Interestingly, Columbus himself referred to the ship simply as a “nao” (ship), and it was only later that the name Santa María became widely used. The vessel is also believed to have been known as La Gallega, hinting at its origins along the Galician coast.
Despite its legendary journey, the Santa María met a dramatic end—running aground on Christmas Day, 1492, off the coast of present-day Haiti. Its remains were used to build Fuerte Navidad, the first Spanish settlement in the New World.
Today, this remarkable replica brings that story back to life.
Visitors to the Brixham Pirate Festival will have the rare opportunity to step aboard, explore the decks, and experience firsthand the conditions faced by sailors on one of history’s most famous voyages.
This is more than a ship—it’s a floating piece of history. Don’t miss your chance to see it up close. ⚓🏴☠️
⚓ Our Daddy – History ⚓
Our Daddy was built in Looe, Cornwall in 1921 by renowned boatbuilder Richard Pearce, and is believed to be one of the last traditional Looe Lugger fishing boats constructed to true sailing lines.
Built with a larch hull on oak frames, and featuring iroko decks laid over marine plywood, she is a fine example of classic Cornish craftsmanship and maritime heritage.
Originally commissioned by the Pengelly family to join their fishing fleet, she was owned and skippered by Alfred John Pengelly—author of Oh, For a Fisherman’s Life. In her working days, Our Daddy fished alongside other Looe luggers, catching pilchards, sardines, and herring, as well as long-lining in the English Channel. She even ventured into shark fishing trips up until the late 1970s.
Following her years as a hardworking fishing vessel, she was eventually sold and lovingly converted into a sailing boat. Since 2010, she has been in her current ownership and continues to sail proudly—now offering tourist excursions both locally and further afield, keeping her legacy alive for future generations.
A true survivor of Cornwall’s fishing heritage, Our Daddy remains a living link to the past. ⚓
⚓ Vigilance BM76 – A Living Piece of Brixham History ⚓
Vigilance BM76 is a remarkable piece of floating history and one of only a handful of surviving sailing trawlers built in Brixham.
Launched in 1926, she represented the very height of trawler design—renowned for her speed and performance. Her prowess was soon proven when she won the prestigious George V Cup in Brixham’s annual Trawler Race, cementing her place among the finest vessels of her time.
However, her working life was cut short after just eleven years, as steam-powered vessels replaced sail. During the Second World War, she was reduced to little more than a hull and repurposed as a platform for tethering barrage balloons.
After the war, Vigilance narrowly escaped being scrapped and instead began a new chapter as a gentleman’s yacht. Her journey since has been anything but ordinary—surviving an attempted arson attack and periods of neglect, before going on to serve as both a sail training vessel and even an Arctic survey craft.
In 1997, she was dramatically “rediscovered” on the Isle of Man. A determined group of Brixham enthusiasts brought her home in a challenging voyage—her bilge pumps working constantly just to keep her afloat. Her safe return to Brixham marked the beginning of something special: the foundation of what is now the town’s much-loved Heritage Fleet.
Today, Vigilance BM76 enjoys yet another chapter in her extraordinary life—serving as a proud, working reminder of Brixham’s rich maritime heritage and its historic role in the fishing industry. ⚓
⚓ Pilgrim – Brixham’s Oldest Survivor ⚓
Pilgrim was built at Upham’s Yard in Brixham in 1895, just a stone’s throw from where she is moored today. She holds the distinction of being the oldest surviving sailing trawler built and rigged in the port, making her a true treasure of Brixham’s maritime heritage.
After her early years, Pilgrim worked beyond her home waters, sailing along the East Coast and as far afield as Scandinavia, before eventually returning home to Brixham in 1999. Her return marked the beginning of a careful and dedicated restoration, bringing her back to her former glory.
Today, her striking red sails have become an iconic sight in the harbour and beyond. During the sailing season, Pilgrim can often be seen under sail, offering a powerful glimpse into the past and helping to keep the traditions of historic seafaring alive for new generations.
A true symbol of the port’s proud history, Pilgrim continues to inspire all who see her. ⚓