Pillage and plunder your way through the coastal seaport city of Hampton, Virginia this June 1-3 when the 19th annual Hampton Blackbeard Pirate Festival returns for another year of swashbuckling excitement! Named one of the Top Five Pirate Festivals in North America by USA Today Travel, the festival celebrates Hampton’s rich maritime heritage by commemorating the 300th anniversary of the demise of our most infamous visitor, Captain Edward Teach, a.k.a. Blackbeard the Pirate.

A group shot of the pirates that make everything happen! Photos courtesy Hampton CVB

History

During the later part of the 1600s and early 1700s, pirates roamed the coastal waters of Virginia and North Carolina in search of ships laden with tobacco and other goods. The marauders terrorized waterways and unsuspecting cargo vessels, capturing goods, sailors, and ships. Captain Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard the Pirate, was the most daunting of these menacing outlaws. After years of wreaking havoc on Virginia’s shores and economy, Blackbeard’s life was finally taken in a violent sea battle with Lieutenant Robert Maynard in 1718. His severed head was impaled upon a pole near the mouth of Hampton Creek, now known as Blackbeard’s Point, to serve as an unyielding reminder that piracy would not be tolerated in Virginia.

Three-hundred years later, beginning June 2, roughly 50,000 seafaring attendees, as well as Blackbeard and his crew, will once again invade downtown Hampton during the 19th annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival! Interact with Blackbeard (personified by first-person interpreter Ben Cherry) and more than 300 other authentically costumed pirate re-enactors as they run rampant on the streets of America’s oldest continuous English-speaking settlement.

Friday Night Grand Pirates Bash

The festivities kick off Friday night, June 1, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., at the Crowne Plaza Hampton Marina Hotel in downtown Hampton with the 19th annual Grand Pirates Bash (creative black tie, period attire, or Pirate fantasy). The celebration, a recreation of Blackbeard’s Party at Okracoke, will feature a bounty of food, adult beverages, live music by Rusty Cutlass (one of the world’s most notorious pirate bands), and more.

2017 Pirates Grand Bash

Though the festival is free, there is an admission charge for the ball. Tickets are $35 in advance and $40 at the door. Advance tickets can be purchased by phone at (757) 727-6348. Purchase in person at Hampton Parks & Recreation (5th Floor Hampton City Hall, 22 Lincoln Street, Hampton, VA 23669).

Re-enactments

Saturday’s activities include a swarm of extemporized street skirmishes between pirates and militia (costumed interpreters), a replica of Blackbeard’s pirate camp, complete with living history interpreters teaching the skills of the sailor circa 1700, and the trial and escape of William Howard, one of Blackbeard’s fellow pirates with ties to Hampton.

Blackbeard engaging in battle with Lieut. Maynard.

Don’t miss the exhilarating re-enactment of the classic sea battle between Lt. Maynard and Blackbeard, featuring two full - scale replica vessels in the Hampton Harbor. At the conclusion of the sea battle a presentation ceremony takes place in which Blackbeard’s severed head will be bestowed upon Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood (1710-1722). Visitors can participate in the festivities when they join Blackbeard’s funeral procession, Hampton’s own version of Mardi Gras, and share in the booty from the treasure chest.

Tall Ships and Participating Boats

This year, the Hampton Blackbeard Pirate Festival welcomes three tall ships to the downtown docks: MEKA II, Macnab, and Tall Ship Adventure. Based in Beaufort, NC, MEKA II has an overall length of 54 feet and is a two-thirds-scale replica of a 17th Century, two masted pirate brigantine armed with eight cannons. The Macnab is a 28ft. cutter based in Deltaville, VA.

The MEKA II preparing for battle.

Brand new this year is Tall Ship Adventure, Hampton’s very own character vessel. The sailing vessel Flying Lady will arrive in Hampton a week prior to the festival and will ultimately be retrofitted and recommissioned as Tall Ship Adventure, to become a semi-permanent fixture on the Hampton River. The Tall Ship Adventure was Blackbeard’s true flag ship so it’s only fitting that she is unveiled during the 300th anniversary of Blackbeard’s last battle.

In addition to the tall ships, the festival will also welcome Sailboat Apostle. Sailboat Apostle was built by Thomas E. (Tom) Colvin in 1959 in Bayou La Batre, Alabama. Originally an open cockpit centerboard sailboat, Apostle drew 22 inches with centerboard up and six feet with centerboard down. Throughout her history, she made many excursions in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. Small boats taking part in the Blackbeard festivities this year include Jolly Boat and Advanture, a 22-foot gaffe rigged skiff revenue cutter that will remain in the pirate encampment as a static display.

Children's Area, Pirate Encampment, and More

This year, the event will once again feature the Blackbeard children’s area, with children’s entertainment and activities including colonial games, pirate face-painting, strolling fairies, digging for treasure, and more within Carousel Park along Settlers Landing Road. Featured this year are Pirate of Fortune’s Folly of Pennsylvania, Fins and Seashells Mermaids of Virginia, and more. In addition to the children’s area, guests will have the opportunity to stroll through Blackbeard’s Pirate Camp where they can learn how to use a cutlass, load a cannon, or even sing a sea chantey at Pirate’s Cove. At Mill Point Park, visitors can also explore a collection of 17th and 18th century period vendors selling items such as jewelry, clothing, art, and personal accessories.

The pirate encampment.

Another highlight of Pirate’s Cove is Bunch of Grapes Tavern, a rustic tavern-style throwback to what a Hampton bar would have looked like in the 18th century. Feel free to rub elbows with some of the local swashbucklers and be served by wenches. Other weekend amusements include a pirate procession, stage performances, street entertainers, cannon fire at Battery Point, period weaponry demonstrations, vendor demonstrations, roving music, and more. Head down Queens Way to check out the Blackbeard stage, complete with daytime pirate entertainment. Don’t forget about The Downtown Hampton Block Party, with musical guest Buckshot taking place 7 to 11 p.m. on Queens Way. Saturday night will conclude with a dramatic fireworks display at 9 p.m. over the Hampton River!

The night fire demonstration from battery point starts off the fireworks demonstration.

Coming by Boat

Those looking for dock space during the Blackbeard Festival are encouraged to contact marinas located throughout the downtown area, including the Hampton Public Piers (757-727-1276), Customs House Marina (757-636-7772), Bluewater Marina (757-723-6774), and Sunset Boating Center (757-722-3325). Call for details and availability.

Date/Times

Friday, June 1: 7-11 p.m. Blackbeard Bash (ticketed event) Saturday June 2: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. (fireworks at 9 p.m.) Sunday, June 3: 12 to 6 p.m.