Published by Carl. Last Updated on September 10, 2024.
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Blackbeard's Pirate Jamboree on Ocracoke Island commemorates one of the world's most consequential events. It's also one of our favorite NC events during fall. This guide shares how you can enjoy it, too!
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is a fun fall event focusing on the world’s most famous (or infamous) pirate and the battle that led to his death in November 1718 near Ocracoke Island, North Carolina.
Every year around Halloween (either at the end of October or the beginning of November), the Village of Ocracoke on the Outer Banks seemingly travels back in time, with hordes of reenactors dressed as pirates or the militia who took down Blackbeard.
The event is a well-produced series of historical reenactments that tells the tale of the world’s most infamous pirate and his demise. Historically accurate encampments of soldiers prepping for the Battle of Ocracoke Inlet and weapons demonstrations set the stage for a fantastic weekend.
Food vendors, music, and much more await during this event. We’ve participated in this extravaganza and have lived to tell the tale.
We’ve also created this NC travel guide to Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree to help you prepare for the next edition, whether you’re an old salt or a newbie.
Below is a breakdown of events and background on the world’s most infamous pirate. Here’s what you’ll find below inside our guide:
- Who Was Blackbeard?
- Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree Event Info
- More Things to Do on Ocracoke Island (Travel Guides)
Read More: 100+ Unique Things to Do In North Carolina (Your NC Bucket List)
Who Was Blackbeard?
Knowing a little about the legendary Edward Teach is essential to prepare for Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree.
Note: The Ocracoke Preservation Society Museum (49 Water Plant Rd, Ocracoke, NC) has exhibits and books available in their gift shop that tell much of the pirate’s story and more about Ocracoke!
- Born Edward Teach (or Edward Thatch) in Bristol, England, Blackbeard would eventually become one of world history’s most well-known and infamous pirates.
- He was by far the most prominent name during the Golden Age of Piracy, which spanned from the 1650s through 1730.
- Not much is known about his early life or birth, but most records indicate Blackbeard’s life started around 1680.
- During a three-year reign of terror from 1716 to 1718, Blackbeard and his men raided many ships along the Atlantic Coast and parts of the Caribbean Sea.
- With the help of other pirates, Blackbeard even temporarily blockaded the port of Charleston, South Carolina (then Charles Town) between May and June 1718.
- After learning that England sent troops and ships to fight piracy, Blackbeard left Charles Town, grounded his famed ship Queen Anne’s Revenge (near Beaufort NC and modern-day Fort Macon State Park), and temporarily settled in Bath near the Colony of North Carolina’s coast.
- He even accepted a royal pardon from NC Governor Charles Eden in June 1718.
- However, Teach would soon return to piracy and alert authorities in North Carolina and nearby.
Read More: Fun Outer Banks Facts That You Should Know (History, Geography, Achievements, and More!
The Battle of Ocracoke Inlet (and Its Leadup)
- Blackbeard spent the remainder of his life anchored on Ocracoke Island, in an inlet now known as Teach’s Hole.
- It’s believed that in September 1718, Blackbeard organized the largest pirate gathering in North America on Ocracoke Island. Perhaps this was the first Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree?
- In November 1718, Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Maynard and 60 men left Virginia to find Blackbeard and end his reign as a pirate.
- Possibly still nursing a hangover from another party the night before, Blackbeard was greeted by Maynard on November 22, 1718, near Springer’s Point on Ocracoke Island.
- Maynard and his men overpowered Blackbeard’s smaller crew and eventually killed the world’s most famous pirate.
- However, it took 25 wounds of dagger, sword, and bullets to slow Blackbeard down, before a cutlass beheaded the pirate.
- Blackbeard’s headless body was tossed into the water and supposedly swam around Maynard’s ship before disappearing below. Maynard took Blackbeard’s head with him and eventually placed it on a pike at Hampton Roads, Virginia, as a warning to all other pirates that this was no longer a career worth pursuing.
- After three years and many infamous deeds, Blackbeard’s legend outlived the man, as well as Lieutenant Maynard and the many others who fought at the Battle of Ocracoke Inlet.
- In October 2013, the first-ever Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree was held on Ocracoke Island and has become an annual tradition. Here’s how you can enjoy the next one!
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree Event Info
2024 Event Dates: November 1 to 2, 2024
Facebook Event Page
If you’re looking to visit Ocracoke during Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree, we highly suggest you book your accommodations and buy a ferry ticket in advance if you’re traveling from the mainland. If you’re traveling from Hatteras, try to arrive as early as possible.
- Friday: The Jamboree kicks off on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with a yearly tradition known as “The Dating Game with Blackbeard.” The comedic, adult-themed game show features three charming ladies competing for a date with Blackbeard.
- Saturday: By Saturday, the grounds of Berkley Manor are transformed into an encampment resembling the cooking, cleaning, navigation, and daily life of the colonial era in Ocracoke. The day will include the following:
- A cannon will wake up the island and officially start the second day of Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree.
- Kid’s Games
- Artisan Vendors at Brigands Bazaar
- Candle making, axe throwing, and a kids’ sword-fighting area set up by The Sword Circle.
- A Comedy stage show by The Shadow Players blending comedy and mischief with thrilling sword fights, whip skills, pirate songs, and even some educational information.
- Saturday Continued:
- The Pirate Parade will take place Saturday at 10:00 a.m.
- Then, during the afternoon, you can walk around the grounds and see a bunch of living history re-enactors will be present here, including:
- Leviathan Nautical Living History will be present, a group of historians dedicated to accurately portraying a ship’s crew from 1685 to 1812.
- The Cannon Crew from Beaufort, led by Capt. Carl Cannon will demonstrate historical navigation, weaving, and cooking.
- Captain Cannon’s period sloop, The Adventure.
- Horatio Sinbad’s brigantine, Meka II, will be patrolling Silver Lake Harbor.
- Living history crews will also reenact the famous sword fight in which Blackbeard met his end at the hands of the Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Maynard on November 22, 1718.
- Medieval singers will also entertain visitors throughout the afternoon with sea shanties and tavern songs, and local historians (Kevin Duffus and Sinbad) will discuss “Blackbeard: Myths & Legends.”
- Finally, the two-day event will conclude on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. with a memorial service honoring the fallen sailors of Blackbeard and Lieutenant Maynard.
More Things to Do on Ocracoke Island (+ Travel Guides)
Blackbeard’s Pirate Jamboree is one of the best events in Ocracoke and The Outer Banks, but it’s far from the only reason to visit the coastal town.
From exploring Springer’s Point Nature Preserve to seeing the Ocracoke Lighthouse, off-roading on the beach, and diving into the island’s best restaurants! We’ve featured it all in many of our NC travel guides, including these examples:
