As Britain’s Ocean City, Plymouth is a stunning setting for world-class events, food festivals, music performances and all-round entertainment for all the family. Sutton Harbour offers some of the most varied food and drink venues in the city and regularly hosts major events for locals and visitors to enjoy.
Now that restrictions are easing, Sutton Harbour is proud to be hosting an array of events that have been rescheduled for this summer. From food festivals to chart-topping music acts, there is something for everyone to enjoy in 2021.
Soundhouse Brass Band
Soundhouse Brass is back! The award-winning brass band will be performing regular concerts over the summer to entertain visitors to Sutton Harbour. You can enjoy a lively programme of music including marches and popular musical arrangements performed by the community brass band from their position in Quay Square overlooking Sutton Harbour Marina. The band will be performing on Thursdays August 5th, 12th and 19th from 7:30pm-9pm and Sunday, August 15th, 2pm-4pm, depending on weather conditions permitting the outdoor events. We hope to see you there.
The Stable
Known for its infamous sourdough pizzas, The Stable is offering visitors the chance to win a year’s supply of pizza if they tuck in to a meal at the venue this summer on a staycation treat day out.
Located right on the seafront with plenty of outdoor seating, The Stable is the perfect sun-trap spot for a summer dinner.
All you have to do to win a year’s supply of pizza is think outside of the pizza box and come up with a fun and creative photo that brings to life your love of pizza and the summertime. By sharing your image on social media and using the hashtag #stablecation you will be entered into the draw.
The competition is running until September 15th. Don’t forget to use the hashtag or the post will be missed.
Ocean City Blues n Jazz Festival
This weekend, the Ocean City Blues n Jazz Festival will be returning to Sutton Harbour and The Parade on the Barbican. This free festival is set to fill the historic harbourfront with smooth sounds for summer. There will be a great line up and full range of musical genres on offer from soulful rock to melodic blues, so why not come down to the waterfront and join in the vibes? There are plenty of takeaway spots to choose from around Sutton Harbour to help keep you energised throughout the night. The festival will be taking place outside but visitors are reminded that they can take the appropriate steps to keep themselves and others safe by wearing face masks in indoor spaces and taking lateral flow tests.
Festival line-up:
Friday 6 August
12pm – Jon Walsh
1.15pm – The Martin Dale Latin Quartet
2.30pm – Andy Quick (solo)
3.45pm – Vince Lee & The Big Combo
5pm – Adam Sweet Band
6.30pm – Gozer Godspeed & The Neon Gamblers
7.45pm – Joanna Cooke
9pm – Smokey’s King Shufflers
Saturday 7 August
12pm – Caddick and Parkes
1.15pm – The Sultans
2.30pm – Liam Ward & Malcolm Thorne
3.45pm – Jessica and the Rabbits
5pm – Geoff Carne
6.30pm – Neil May Quartet
7.45pm – Tailfin
9pm – Benny Guitar Carr
Sunday 8 August
12pm – Orpheus Latin Jazz
1.15pm – Jeff ‘the horse’ Horsey
2.30pm – Blacktop Deluxe/Keith Howe
3.45pm – Bad Knees Blues Band
5pm – The Sam Kennedy Trio
For more info click here.
National Marine Aquarium
The National Marine Aquarium (NMA) is the UK’s largest aquarium, located at the entrance to Sutton Harbour in the heart of Britain’s Ocean City. This summer, the NMA will be hosting a range of events for all ages to enjoy, including:
Shark Night with the Shark Trust
For just £7, you can walk the red carpet for the premier night of Shark Shorts.
The Ocean Conservation Trust has been working with the Shark Trust to get people talking about sharks, discussing what makes a shark, why sharks matter and most importantly, how YOU can help to protect them.
Join them at the NMA on the 11th August to watch the Shark Shorts and find out all you need to know about sharks.
Ocean Squad – School |Holiday Activity Club
Ocean Squad is back at the National Marine Aquarium this summer hosting clubs and summer schools for teenagers with a passion for the Ocean. For £125, you can meet marine biologists, go on boat trips to Drake’s Island for snorkelling and rock pooling, learn sustainable fish cookery lessons and even create ocean graffiti. The school holiday club will be running from Monday-Friday throughout August for children to enjoy on their summer holidays.
You can book tickets through the National Marine Aquarium website here.
Rockfish
Perfect for seafood lovers, Rockfish has opened up a new outdoor deck overlooking Plymouth Sound. The Deck & Bar have some great events lined up this summer for everyone to enjoy including live acoustic music, performers and festival food days. With Salcombe Brewery serving up drinks from the bar, it’s the perfect place to unwind and eat fresh, local seafood this summer.
Open Monday, 4pm-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday between 12noon and 4pm and 5pm-9pm and Sunday 12noon-5pm. The outside deck is open daily 12noon-4pm and 5pm-9pm.
For updates on events, head to Rockfish on Facebook.
British Firework Championships
The British Firework Championships have been held in Plymouth every year since 1997. The displays are fired from Mount Batten Pier in Plymouth Sound, which provides a natural amphitheatre for the dazzling show.
After a year off due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the British Firework Championships are back this year with a bang, returning on Wednesday 18th and Thursday 19th August for two nights of sensational pyrotechnic displays.
The spectacular competition sees six firework companies battle it out over two nights to be crowned the nation’s best while spectators watch from all angles of the waterfront. Sutton Harbour is the perfect spot to enjoy this unmissable event from, with plenty of spots to grab a bite to eat or drink beforehand.
1 Big Summer
After a year of lockdown restrictions, people across the city will now be able to come together to attend an exciting new festival, 1 Big Summer, on Plymouth Hoe. The waterfront setting is set to host concerts to suit a plethora of musical tastes from Friday 27th August – Sunday 29th August.
Friday is Ibiza Classics 2021, which will feature a full live 26 piece orchestra and a soundtrack that will transport listeners through three decades of iconic white isle classics. The night will also feature world-class DJ sets direct from the shores of Ibiza, and all acts are to be announced in the coming weeks.
Saturday will be home to the main event, featuring chart topping UK acts and entertainment throughout the day. This line us is yet to be confirmed but we’re sure it won’t disappoint.
Sunday will be one for the whole family. Titled ’The Great British Sausage and Cider Festival’, the event will feature an unprecedented array of craft ciders, sausage flavours and street foods. Not only will this event be full of tasty treats but remarkable special guests and the UK’s best known arena and festival acts. We think this is set to be quite the Bank Holiday weekend!
The event is set to start at 16:00 and finish at 23:00 each night over the weekend.
Tickets are selling extremely fast, to buy your tickets click here.
We encourage anyone visiting Sutton Harbour to ensure they are following the latest Government guidelines on social distancing.
For updates on the latest Sutton Harbour activity, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
