It’s hard to believe we’re already in May, but it means summer is getting ever closer which is exciting – especially when you check out the lively events calendar planned for Britain’s Ocean City this year.
As the sunny weather is becoming more regular and with a variety of events happening around Sutton Harbour and Plymouth in the upcoming months, now is the perfect time to get out and about and enjoy life in the city by the sea.
So if you’re looking for something to do, we’ve compiled a handy list of events and celebrations coming up over the next few months that you may like to attend.
Enjoyable events happening in May
May offers plenty to look forward to with the 60th Anniversary of the Commando Gunners Military Parade, the Lord Mayor’s Festival – and of course, there’s the RETURN of the hugely popular Plymouth Pirates Weekend.
Plymouth Pirates Weekend – (7-8 May)
Plymouth Pirates Weekend is back! After being cancelled in 2020 and having to be hosted virtually in 2021, this massively popular family-friendly celebration of all things pirate-like is finally back for a live in-person event for spring 2022.
Pirates Weekend is an event held across Sutton Harbour and the Barbican with Sutton Harbour Group being key sponsors of this fantastic weekend of fun. The event always attracts thousands of visitors down to Plymouth’s historic harbour, so why not pop down and experience the fun for yourself.
An abundance of activities and entertainment are planned across both days, including two visiting tall ships you can board and explore berthed alongside Quay Road, Pirate Treasure Trails, Workshops, Sea Shanty Bands and Canon Firing as well as a wide variety of other entertainment.
We look forward to seeing you ARGH’ll!
For more information, check out the dedicated website at https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/major-events/plymouth-pirates-weekend
60th Anniversary of the Commando Gunners Military Parade – (14 May)
This event takes place just a short walk from Sutton Harbour on Saturday 14 May and marks the 60th Anniversary of the formation of 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. As Plymouth’s local Regiment, 29 Commando will be exercising their Freedom of the City and will parade through the centre of Plymouth with the event beginning at around 11am. More than 600 veteran troops are expected to attend, as well as the serving troops from 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery, so it’s a great opportunity to celebrate the anniversary and show your support to current and veteran troops on this historic day.
For more information about the event: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/60th-anniversary-of-the-commando-gunners-military-parade-p3047573?crmLink=5
Lord Mayor’s Festival – (21 May)
Another key Plymouth event taking place just a short walk from Sutton Harbour is the Lord Mayor’s Festival at Armada Way. This is a free, family-friendly event that welcomes the city’s new Lord Mayor, and a popular annual day out that provides a host of entertainment, ranging from shows by local dance groups and street performers to workshops and trails through the city centre (where prizes can be won too). If you are looking for an action-packed day with lots of free entertainment, then this is a date for the diary to make a note of.
To find out more about this event: https://www.visitplymouth.co.uk/whats-on/lord-mayors-festival-p1503683?crmLink=9
Upcoming events
From June onwards, the events calendar gets even busier – and there’s plenty to enjoy over the spring and summer months in Plymouth and across the historic waterfront.
SailGP – (30-31 July)
Althouth SailGP doesn’t take place until July, tickets have just gone on ‘sail’ – and be warned, they’ll go quickly. This is because the event is returning for the second year running after the success it enjoyed in 2021. Plymouth Sound is where the event took place and last year the two-day event saw around 27,500 spectators watch the exciting fast-paced racing from the natural amphitheatre offered by Plymouth Hoe.
If you are looking to attend this monumental event, find out more here: https://sailgp.com/races/season-3/great-britain-sail-grand-prix-plymouth/overview/
Queen’s Jubilee – (2-5 June)
This year marks The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and our monarch’s 70th year on the throne. This incredible achievement is being marked by the creation of an extra Bank Holiday in June to celebrate. Restaurants and bars are sure to be celebrating the Queen’s success around Sutton Harbour in June, so make sure you head down to us for a few drinks and a bite to eat to join in the celebrations. The four-day bank holiday will take place from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June, and if you’re planning to raise a glass to the head of the Royal family, visit one of the many alfresco bars or restaurants circling the harbour for an atmospheric backdrop.
For more information: https://www.royal.uk/platinumjubilee
1 Big Summer – (2-4 June)
Are you looking for a way to enjoy the extended Bank Holiday weekend as a result of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? Then this could be the perfect way to have some fun as Plymouth Hoe is hosting this massive music event.
There are some BIG names coming to this three-day music event in the Ocean City, with Basement Jaxx, Years and Years and The Libertines headlining across the weekend. Other names featuring are Example, Not3s and Sam Tompkins with additional acts still to be announced.
You can enjoy the weekend however you like as they offer a range of different ticket options from Day Tickets, Weekend Tickets, and VIP Area Tickets which are available to purchase now. Visit 1 Big Summer.
Plymouth Armed Forces Day – (25 June)
Plymouth Armed Forces Day is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to come together and show their support to our serving forces past and present. This action-packed day is full of activities for the whole family to enjoy from dynamic displays, obstacle courses and live music to being able to view military vehicles, weapons, and equipment up close.
A parade will also take place across Plymouth’s Hoe which provides a great opportunity to donate to charity to support the military. In addition, Plymouth Armed Forces Day also coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War which will be celebrated with a special parade.
Find out more at https://www.plymoutharmedforcesday.co.uk/
British Firework Championships – (17-18 August)
If you enjoy watching firework displays then you won’t want to miss the biggest and best of them all, with two consecutive evenings of amazing colourful displays on offer at the British Firework Championships taking place over Plymouth Sound on August 17 and 18 – and all entirely FREE of charge.
This major national event involves six pyrotechnic companies from across Britain facing each other in a competition to see who can put on the best display. Each company has a 10-minute show to showcase its best display, which is then scored by a panel of judges.
The event is the perfect opportunity to get the family out as there’s not just fireworks to enjoy, with Plymouth Hoe offering fairground rides and live music as well as food stalls if you fancy a bite to eat while you watch from the best seats in the house.
If you want a slightly quieter viewpoint to enjoy the spectacle from, the fireworks are visible from Sutton Harbour’s North and East Quay and many of the harbourside restaurants and bars offer ringside seats on the harbour’s edge.
But be warned… it is an extremely special show that ALWAYS attracts a huge crowd, so be sure to get down to Plymouth’s waterfront early to get a prime location and experience the show in its entirety.
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