7 top tips for a swashbuckling family day out at Pirate Festival on the Dock this weekend

Ahh the festival every little (and some big) pirates, mermaids and sea monsters look forward to returns to Albert Dock for two days of maritime fun this weekend.

This free, family fun event kicks off at 11am on both Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th September 2017.  You absolutely can’t miss the opportunity to dress us and take part in the daily parade in your best festival costume….and its not limited to pirates either! Last year we saw some beautiful mermaids, epic sea creature costumes, Anna and Elsa and even a little Peter Pan and Captain Hook too!

Watch as Jay caught up with Clare Rawlinson from Albert Dock to talk about the festival highlights. Pick a spot around the Albert Dock and watch a thrilling pirate battle take place, right before your very eyes…just watch its not you walking the plank! There’s sword fighting, acrobatics, juggling, sea shanties and more right across the stunning waterfront location, and its free!

Here’s our top 7 top tips for a swashbuckling day out at Pirate Festival on the Dock 2017….

1 – Show us your best Jack Sparrow

Whether you’re dressing up as a dashing pirate, ships captain, beautiful mermaid or a big old sea monsters, make sure you give it 100%. We love nothing more than watching the sea of happy little faces marching around the dock showing off their costumes! The parade kicks off at 12:30pm.

2 – Don’t Miss the Mermaid of Black Rock

Meet the Mermaid of Black Rock on the Hartley Quay stage at 1:30pm and on board the Pheonix at 4pm and find out all about life under the sea and how on earth she keeps her mascara from running.

3 – Get a good spot for the thrilling pirate battle show

Make sure you get a good spot around Albert Dock itself ahead of the epic, live-action pirate show at 3pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Duck as the cannons roar into action, the ships crew fly high on the ropes and someone will end up walking the plank! Just make sure it’s not you!

4 – Watch out for a VERY strong lady

Brand new for this years Pirate Festival on the Dock is the Strong Lady. Rumour has it she’s got a wicked sense of humour and will have you in fits of giggles before lifting a real life man above her head! Pics to @TheGuideLpool if you spot her this weekend! Shows at Anchor Courtyard and Hartley Quay throughout the weekend.

5 – Pick your winner in the epic pirate sword fights

Stick around outside the Martin Luther King Building just after lunchtime to catch some live action sword skills and get ready to cheer and boo and the pirates put on a rip-roaring show. Will you pick a winner?

6 – Bust some moves and learn some sea shanties

No festival at Albert Dock would be complete without music and you can’t get more authentic than some pirate-inspired sea shanties. Head to Hartley Quay to shake your mermaid tail or tentacles to tales of maritime high jinx!

7 – Devour a feast fit for a Captain

There’s an abundance of great family dining options in and around Albert Dock. To stick with the festival theme why not book at table at Smugglers Cove and tuck into a treasure trove of hearty meals including scampi and chips, bangers and mash and more. Or head to Gusto and let your ships cook make their own pizzas! More info on Albert Dock dining here.

We can’t wait to see your Pirate, Mermaid and Sea Monster costumes, send us your pics @TheGuideLpool or email us info@theguideliverpool.com and we’ll share all the best ones on our socials.