Pirate Invasion comes to Yorktown – Saturday, April 25 and Sunday, April 26, 2026
Pirates Invade Yorktown – Saturday, April 25 & Sunday, April 26
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 25 and 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m..
What will you do with the family? How about Yorktown Market Day markets on BOTH days. Enjoy live blacksmith demonstrations, explore a pirate encampment, sing along to sea shanties, experience a Pirate Trail, take part in a town-wide treasure hunt, and experience cannon demonstrations.
Beware of pillagers as pirates invade Yorktown Market Days farmers market which runs both days from 8 am – 3 pm! 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.
Stop by York Hall for live Pirate Puppet Shows. Be sure to head to the Freight Shed for the History Fair from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enroll your kids in Pirate School where they will learn how to walk, talk, and act like pirates. You also won’t want to miss the exciting Pirate Trial at York Hall. But wait…and that’s not all!
Saturday, April 27 – Events
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
Sunday, April 26 – Events
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 Dance USA – 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
The free, accessible Yorktown Trolley will be running from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. during this event
Treasure Hunt for Hearties
Children can collect pirate’s booty including coins, jewels, and eye patches at various businesses and attractions in a townwide Treasure Hunt. Keep an eye out for this year’s treasure map once it’s posted.
Arrr Ye Hungry? Grub for Starving Sailors & Scallywags
Many Historic Yorktown restaurants will be open, and in the spirit of the event, Yorktown Market Days will run until 3 p.m. each day with several food truck options.
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 “Fresh Views of the American Revolution” Special Exhibition, in time for the 250th anniversary of and the American Revolution, discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the American Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial and through engaging community art programs.
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.
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 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Additional Event Info:
For more information visit Pirates Invade Yorktown
Riverwalk Landing
331 Water Street
Yorktown, VA 23690
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