Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest Gets New, Bigger Location
Returning for a third year in 2026, this fast-growing central Ohio favorite includes a pirate marketplace with over 100 vendors, live entertainment and plenty of “argh”!
Ahoy, fans of eyepatches, hooks and walking the plank Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest returns for a third year May 15 through 17 with a new, larger location at Big Stan’s Bar & Grill, an expanded Pirate Market for attendees, live entertainment and the Tri-County Treasure Hunt.
“Pirate Fest has become a celebration of everything that makes Buckeye Lake special — the community, the creativity, the mischief and all the memories we plunder along the way,” Mark Bernard, owner of Port Smokehouse said in an April 21, 2026, press release about this year’s festival.
This year, the festival introduces two, new entertainment stages featuring live, themed performances and more signature events that are sure to shiver your timbers. The action starts Friday with a Pass the Flag Ceremony as well as the Toadstool Shadow Pirates, DJs Swash & Buckle and Pirate Karaoke.The Pirate Market and the new for 2026 Pirate Renaissance Market both open Saturday. Browse a total of more than 100 vendors that span handcrafted works, food and drink, and a variety of pirate, nautical, fantasy and steampunk wares.
Be sure to check out the World’s Tallest “Arvee,” a recreational vehicle outfitted with a mast and sails and filled with nautical decor, jewelry and accessories. Both a parade and a Pirate Fashion and Body Art Show are among Saturday’s activities.
In addition, the annual Treasure Hunt spans across Fairfield, Licking and Perry Counties and features chests filled with pirate booty. Search for the chests at 30 different businesses that offer themed drinks, food specials and live entertainment. Visit the Buckeye Lake Pirate Fest website for more information about Treasure Hunt locations.
8635 Blackbird Lane, Thornville, buckeyelakepiratefest.com
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