Yorktown Pirate Invasion - Pirates Invade Yorktown

04/27/2026

Everybody shout HUZZAH!!! 🏴‍☠️Another incredible Invasion on the books!🏴‍☠️ Thank you to all our great pirate crews, performers, artists and crafters, reenactors, market vendors, and local businesses who helped create two days of pirate history, fantasy, food, and fun! ☠️Thank ye, one and all!⚓️ Just 364 more days until we can do it again! 💥

04/26/2026

What's a bit o'rain to a pirate anyways? 🏴‍☠️ We're setting up camp and waking up the scallywags! 🏴‍☠️ 10-3 today!

Argh! Due to the rainy forecast, today's Pirates Invade Yorktown and Pirate Invasion Market will open at 10 a.m.

04/26/2026

Huzzah! What say ye to us plunderin' this fine town again on Sunday?!

04/23/2026

Is the Pirate Invasion pet-friendly? Yes, well-behaved pets on a leash are welcome BUT please keep in mind that there will be random weapons and cannon fire throughout the day which can frighten some pets.

04/23/2026

🏴‍☠️Don't ferget ta don yer finest pirate wear and bring yer whole crew! ☠️Two more days mates, hope to see ye tharrrrrrgh! ⚔️ Rain or shine! ☠️

04/20/2026

Here's the real treasure map--your schedule for two fun-filled days of pirates, wenches, skallywags, and seaside adventure!

04/19/2026

Wondering where to park for the 🏴‍☠️ Invasion? No worries mates, Yorktown has lots of free parking scattered thoughout the city, and don't forget to plunder the FREE trolley that makes stops at all the places you want to go, so you won't miss a moment of the action!

04/17/2026

All ye mateys are invited to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Landing and Historic Main Street are invaded by seafaring marauders from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. next Saturday, April 25, and Sunday, April 26! 🏴‍☠️ Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, sing along to sea shanties, witness a smuggler’s auction, take part in a town-wide treasure hunt, and experience cannon demonstrations. Head to the Yorktown Freight Shed for the History Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the Summer Camp Expo in the tent behind the building with a breathtaking view of the York River. You also won’t want to miss the balloon artist who will be entertaining the little swashbucklers! But watch out for cannon fire!

That’s not all! Enroll your kids in Pirate School where they will learn how to walk, talk, and act like pirates. Stop by York Hall to enjoy the exciting Pirate Trial and the live Pirate Puppet Shows. The fun continues on Historic Main Street with a pirate encampment and live performances throughout the day.

Take part in the townwide Treasure Hunt! Pick up an activity card at the Visit Yorktown booth and visit all the stops on the treasure map for your chance to win a special prize!

04/06/2026

Here ye, here ye! The 2026 Yorktown Pirate Invasion docket has arrived! It’s history, hijinks, and high-seas fun all in one unforgettable weekend! From Riverwalk Landing to the Beach to York Hall and beyond, the whole town will be ablaze **ooops we mean awash** with scallywags! Ride the free Yorktown Trolley and catch all the action!

Saturday, April 25:
On the Docket: * (Subject to Change)
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pirate Invasion Market – RWL

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Yorktown History Fair – FS
Summer Camp Fair – FS
Blacksmith Demonstration – RWL
Pirate Living History & Activities – RWL, MJB & YH
Pirate Treasure Hunt – Townwide
Kids’ Craft – FS
Music – The Clan MacCool Band – RWL

10 a.m.
Music – The Fifes & Drums of York Town – RWL
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – RWL
Music – Blackbeard’s Head – MJB

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Custom House Open for Tours

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Balloon Artist – FS

10:30 a.m.
Pirate School & Training – RWL
Captain Slackbeard Storytelling – MJB
Music – Jerry Sowers – YH

11 a.m.
Smugglers Auction - RWL
Music – Death By Bellows – MJB
Roving Music – Bedlam Bones – RWL

11:30 a.m.
Pirate Puppet Show – YH

12 p.m.
Smugglers Auction – RWL
Music from Cindy Kays – MJB
Music – Blackbeard’s Head – RWL

12:30 p.m.
Pirate School & Training – RWL
Music from Bedlam Bones – YH

1 p.m.
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – Beach Camp
Captain Slackbeard Storytelling – MJB

1:30 p.m.
Pirate Trial – YH

2 p.m.
Music from Death By Bellows – RWL
Music from Cindy Kays – MJB
Music – Jerry Sowers – YH

2:30 p.m.
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – RWL
Pirate Puppet Show – YH

3 p.m.
Camps close
FS: Freight Shed
MJB: Mobjack Bay
RWL: Riverwalk Landing
YH: York Hall

Sunday, April 26:
8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Pirate Invasion Market – RWL

9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Yorktown History Fair – FS
Summer Camp Fair – FS
Blacksmith Demonstration – RWL
Pirate Living History & Activities – RWL, MJB & YH
Pirate Treasure Hunt – Townwide
Kids’ Craft – FS
Music – The Clan MacCool Band – RWL

10 a.m.
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – RWL
Music – Blackbeard’s Head – MJB

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Custom House Open for Tours

10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Balloon Artist – FS
Face Painting – FS

10:30 a.m.
Pirate School & Training – RWL
Captain Slackbeard Storytelling – MJB
Music – Jolly Roving Tars – YH

11 a.m.
Smugglers Auction - RWL
Music – Death By Bellows – MJB
Roving Music – Bedlam Bones – RWL

11:30 a.m. Storytelling - YH

12 p.m.
Smugglers Auction – RWL
Music from Cindy Kays – MJB
Libre USA Dance Studio – RWL

12:30 p.m.
Pirate School & Training – RWL
Music from Bedlam Bones – YH

1 p.m.
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – Beach Camp
Captain Slackbeard Storytelling – MJB

1:30 p.m.
Pirate Trial – YH

2 p.m.
Music from Death By Bellows – RWL
Music from Cindy Kays – MJB
Jolly Roving Tars – YH

2:30 p.m.
Cannon Demonstration & Firing – RWL
Storytelling - YH (Sun. only)

3 p.m. Camps close
FS: Freight Shed
MJB: Mobjack Bay
RWL: Riverwalk Landing
YH: York Hall

*Activities Subject to Change. In case of inclement weather, the market will move to the lower level of the Water Street Parking Terrace.

03/19/2026

No pirate ship? No worries. Here's the coolest way to experience all the sites and sounds of the April 25 and 26 Invasion!

03/16/2026

Landlubbers of all ages, prepare to be boarded! Pirates Invade Yorktown returns this April 25 & 26, bringing tales and treasures from the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit pirate encampments, watch blacksmith and cannon demonstrations, sing along to sea shanties, attend a "pirate school," enjoy hands-on games and crafts, and join the hunt for buried loot. It’s history, hijinks, and high-seas fun all in one unforgettable weekend. 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on the green and beach at Riverwalk Landing and York Hall.

The free, accessible Yorktown Trolley will be running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this event, so you can get to all the sights and sounds and scallywags with ease!

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04/27/2025

Ohmmmmm my, what a weekend! Another amazing event with the best patrons and pirates any crew could wish for. Thank you Visit Yorktown, Patriot Tours & Provisions - Yorktown Segway PT Tours, Village Events, Ltd., Watermen's Museum, Riverwalk Landing, and all our other wonderful sponsors, and a big pirate HUZZAH to our crews Blackbeard's Crew Inc., Cannon Crew, The Defiant Crew, First Mates Munitions The Loose Cannon Company / Mr. Willis, Captain Slackbeard, Tidewater Blacksmith's Guild, and all our many volunteers, reenactors, and entertainers! What day ye we do it again next year?!