Dress like a Pirate & help us make this the best Quay Day ever - Prizes will be given
Monday 31st August 'Pirates on the Quay'
Come and join us for the big day me hearties!!
Quay Day marks the traditional start of Burnham Sailing Week — the peak‑season regatta that helped put our town on the international map.
Pirates on the Quay is our way of celebrating Burnham’s seafaring past, bringing some joyful mischief to the waterfront, and supporting the brilliant local businesses that make our town special.
We’re thrilled to welcome our musicians: The Captain’s Beard, The Swashbucklers, and Burnham’s own Bassett & Fraser.
Throughout the day, our Pirate Crew will roam the Quayside and march up the High Street causing merry mayhem — hunting for grog, grub, and good cheer across pubs, bars, restaurants, cafés, and takeaways. Our Pirate Route and Map will be planned early in the year to guide visitors to every stop along the way.
Expect shanties, laughter, performers, and professional pirates filling the town. Keep your purses close — a few extra coins buy us beer and rum!
Blackbeard & the Crew await ye. 🏴☠️
The only place to be is with The Pirates on the Quay
The plans have only just started, but this years POTQ2026 - Burnham to the Ground will be the best one yet, as we enter our 5th Year!
Keep an eye on the horizon shipmates, we have already confirmed Captain Jack Sparrow, the Royal Marines, Captains Beard and many more Pirate Crews from all over Blighty and more keep coming! We'll keep you posted on social media and here when more events and details are confirmed.
We always finish the day on Bank Holiday Monday down at The Victoria for the Pirate After Party with the amazing Captains Beard headling, followed by Ska and Mash aka DJ Pete Lacey!!
See you in August - Love Blackbeard x
Look at our ye olde Map for where we'll be, on the Quay malingering with intent!
We have three days of festivities planned for this year Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th and Bank Holiday Monday 31st August and we are working closely with our very own Deputy Mayor and our Navy adversary Commodore Les McDonald and the Burnham Town Council, so keep your eyes peeled for the updated map and plans of where to find us and what's on!
Music for Pirates on the Quay
Hoy Shanty Crew of Leigh on Sea
The Hoy Crew’s infectious enthusiasm & rousing delivery of local and national ‘sea songs’ has meant they have become a firm fixture at many events in Essex and the UK, the Crew and Pirates of Burnham and Blackwater parlay, walking the length of the town and Quayside stopping off along the route of the Map. Thirsty work for these Black hearted scoundrels!!!
Bassett & Frazer
Burnham's Favourite Folk Pirates and a right Pair of Swab Rats you'll ever see or hear, the boys will be Rocking & Rolling all day!
You'll normally find them up the bar before and after sets!!!
The Captains Beard
The Captain's Beard a folk-rock, pirate band from Brighton. Their music ranges from trad folk & sea shanties, upbeat originals & downright silly songs about Cockney Mermaids, English Monarchs & rubbish vans. , See them at Quayside during the day, the main gig at The Victoria Inn at 6pm
Ska & Mash aka Pirate Pete Lacey
The Country's No.1 Ska DJ, Pete Plays everything from Ska, 2-Tone, Boss Reggae, Rocksteady, Mod, Soul, Motown, New Wave, Punk, Indie, & 70s80s90s disco.
A regular opener for Madness and various 2-Tone Legends, Pete is THE Rock Steady Pirate!
Black Rabbit
Playing for the first time at Pirates on the Quay we are proud to announce Black Rabbit who play Rock, Indie, Blues, Metal and Punk covers band from Essex and are guaranteed to set the place alight!