Pirate Invasion comes to Yorktown - April 29 and 30, 2023

Pirates Invade Yorktown – Saturday April 29 & 30, 2022

Ye are invited to travel back to the Golden Age of Piracy as Riverwalk Landing and the Watermen’s Museum are invaded by seafaring marauders on April 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..

Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, sing along to sea shanties, witness the live dance performance “Pirates & Mermaids of Yorktown,” take part in a town-wide treasure hunt, and experience cannon demonstrations. Stop by York Hall for live Pirate Puppet Show performances. When you’re done with the Pirate Puppet Show, head down to The Freight Shed for the History Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That’s not all you’ll find at the Pirates Invasion of Yorktown! Enroll your kids in Pirate School where they will learn how to walk, talk, and act like pirates. Don’t miss the captivating Pirate Trial at York Hall. The fun continues at the Waterman’s Museum with a pirate encampment, food vendors, and various live performances throughout the day. But wait..there’s more…

Here is a list of events!

Pirates Invade Yorktown – Saturday April 29 & 30, 2023

Blacksmith demonstrations
Cannon demonstrations and firings
Food trucks: Coastal Thirst, Boyd’s Tasty Dogs, Chef Joseph’s Seafood and Kathi’s Clam Chowder
Pirate living history and activities
Sea shanties by Clan MacCool Band on the Riverwalk Landing Stage
Treasure hunt for kids at various businesses around Historic Yorktown
Yorktown History Fair in the Freight Shed
See full list of events in image above

Pirate Invasion Market at Yorktown Market Days – Saturday April 29, 2022 from 8 am to 3 pm Beware of pillagers as pirates invade Yorktown Market Days! At this special extended farmers market you can shop for fresh produce and choose from a variety of fresh breads and pastries.Shop for seasonal produce; fresh baked goods; meats; fresh-cut flowers; handmade soaps and candles; honey; gourmet dog treats; and a beautiful display of work from local artists and artisans. See vendors here

‘’ Marks the Spot
Treasure Hunt for Hearties

Children can collect pirate’s booty including coins, jewels, and eye patches at various businesses and attractions in a town-wide Treasure Hunt. Be sure to download the treasure map at www.visityorktown.org and at Visit Yorktown on Facebook to see why “X” marks the spot at local businesses. Participating businesses include Auntie M’s American Cottage, Gallery at York Hall, Gangsta Dog, Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters, On the Hill Gallery, Patriot Tours & Provisions, Watermen’s Museum Gift Shop, Water Street Grille, the Yorktown Bookshop, and the Yorktown Freight Shed. Kids can keep their treasures as souvenirs of the event.

Arrr Ye Hungry?

Grub for Starving Sailors & Scallywags.
All Historic Yorktown restaurants will be open, and in the spirit of the event, Yorktown Market Days will run until 3 p.m. with several food truck options. Coastal Thirst, Boyd’s Tasty Dogs, Chef Joseph’s Seafood, and Kathi’s Clam Chowder will be in attendance from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Coastal Thirst and Boyd’s Tasty Dogs will be serving at the event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Water Street Grille welcomes walk-ins beginning at 10 a.m. and will serve special-themed menu items. Carrot Tree has several grab-and-go picnic options available, perfect for guests to eat lunch along the Riverwalk or down at the Beach Picnic Area. The Yorktown Pub is serving lunch, so families can grab something to eat before or after enjoying the fun. And up the hill on Main Street—Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters & Petite Cafe has sandwiches, salads, dips, and desserts.

Pirate Invasion Farmers Market:

Pirate Invasion Farmers Market: On Saturday morning, April 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., take advantage of Yorktown’s waterfront farmers market. Enjoy live music; food trucks; and a variety of vendors and artists!

Ranger Talk: (20 mins) 1:30 pm:

Join a park ranger for a brief exploration into the people, places, and/or events in Yorktown during the American War for Independence. Each ranger has developed a different presentation exploring different stories. Park staff will meet their audience at the Regimental Flags in front of the park’s Visitor Center and travel to a specific location. This program requires limited walking.

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown:

Learn more about our nation’s story through exciting indoor galleries with period artifacts and immersive environments and films. Don’t miss “The Siege of Yorktown,” shown on a 180-degree surround screen complete with dramatic special effects like smoke and vibrations from the cannon and musket fire!

In the outdoor areas, you’ll find a re-created Continental Army encampment to learn about the life of a soldier and to take in daily demonstrations of medical treatment, camp life and cooking, and flintlock musket firings. Explore a Revolution-era farm, based on a real-life 18th-century family, where you can help with chores related to the house, kitchen, tobacco barn, gardens, and crops. The museum has adapted operations with safety protocols for everyone’s enjoyment. The Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to James City County, York County, and City of Williamsburg neighbors with proof of residence.

Yorktown Battlefield:

Yorktown Battlefield Walk (45 mins) 10 am & 3 pm: Join a park ranger for a short walk across the Battlefield to gain insight into the many aspects of the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. Visitors should be prepared for a walk up to a one-half mile. Limited seating is found along this walk, visitors should plan to stand for much of this presentation. Each ranger-led walk begins at the Regimental Flags in front of the building

Ranger Talk: (20 mins) 1:30 pm: Join a park ranger for a brief exploration into the people, places, and/or events in Yorktown during the American War for Independence. Each ranger has developed a different presentation exploring different stories. Park staff will meet their audience at the Regimental Flags in front of the park’s Visitor Center and travel to a specific location. This program requires limited walking.

Weigh Anchor and Furl the Ship!
Best Ways to Navigate the Event

Free parking is available at the Riverwalk Landing parking terrace, York Hall, York-Poquoson Courthouse, County Administration Building, and other designated public lots. The complimentary, wheelchair-accessible Yorktown Trolley runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.