Boynton Beach Pirate Fest: dates, parking, road closures

Last checked Oct. 14, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the City of Boynton Beach’s Pirate Fest page, its Know Before You Go page and the city’s official Pirate Fest 2026 listing on Eventeny.

Boynton Beach Pirate Fest 2026 is Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, in downtown Boynton Beach. The city’s two-day festival fills Centennial Park and Amphitheater and East Ocean Avenue with pirate shows, live music, mermaids, costumes, cannons, food and shopping. Admission is free.

Updated Oct. 14: the city now asks residents on East Ocean Avenue to call its Events Division about parking relocation during the road closures.

Who to call

• Events Department: 561-742-6024, events@bbfl.us
• City Hall: 561-742-6000, 100 E. Ocean Ave.
• Official page: Pirate Fest on the city website

When and where

This year the festival lands on Halloween itself. In earlier years it ran on the last full weekend in October, according to the city’s Eventeny listings for 2023, 2024 and 2025:

What is on

The city’s Know Before You Go page lists:

• live music, pirate performances and roaming entertainment
• the Mermaid Grotto, with Mermaid Jules
• the Lil Scallywag Zone, with kids’ activities, face painting and games
• pirate encampments with interactive experiences
• a Haunted Trail
• sword fighting, archery and axe throwing
• a Pirate Fest parade leading into the costume contest
• food and vendors throughout the festival

The city’s entertainment schedule runs shows on several stages, including Main / Centennial, Railroad / Buccaneer Bay and Kraken / Seacrest. On Saturday it lists a kids’ costume contest at 2:15 p.m., an adult costume contest at 2:45 p.m., the Haunted Trail at 6:45 p.m. and a pub sing at 9 p.m. The city says the schedule is subject to change.

Treasure Hunt in October

Before the festival, the city runs a Pirate Fest Treasure Hunt. A new clue drops at 10 a.m. every Monday in October (Oct. 5, 12, 19 and 26) on the city’s Instagram accounts, @cityofboyntonbeach and @bbpiratefest. Find the hidden chest and follow the instructions inside to claim the prize.

Road closures

Full road closures begin at 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, two days before the gates open:

• East Ocean Avenue, from Seacrest Boulevard to Northeast Third Street
• Southeast First Avenue, from Seacrest Boulevard to Southeast First Street
• Northeast First Street, from Northeast First Avenue to Southeast First Avenue

The city asks drivers to allow extra time and follow posted detours and event signs downtown. Its page does not say when the streets reopen.

Residents along East Ocean Avenue who are affected by the closures should call the city’s Events Division at 561-742-6024 or email inskeepb@bbfl.us for parking relocation information, according to the Know Before You Go page.

Parking and shuttles

Parking is free at four city sites. Follow event signs as you approach downtown.

• Hester Community Center
• Carolyn Sims Center
• Dewey Park
• Boynton Beach Senior Center

Free shuttles run 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on two loops:

• Loop 1: Hester Community Center, Carolyn Sims Center, City Hall
• Loop 2: Senior Center, Dewey Park, City Hall

All shuttles are wheelchair accessible. ADA parking is in the event lots, including 20 spaces at the K-Pock parking lot.

What to know before you go

• It is free. No ticket is needed to get in.
• Watch for fake vendor requests. In September the city warned that someone was using the Pirate Fest name to solicit vendors and entertainers. The city does not ask for payment by gift card. Check any request with the Events Department, 561-742-6024. Our story on the warning has the details.
• Pets, rain plans and bag rules are not on the city’s pages. Call the Events Department before you go.
• Costumes are welcome. The costume contests are part of the Saturday program.

What this means for you

• Going: park at one of the four free lots and ride the shuttle. Several downtown streets around the festival are closed.
• Living or working downtown: plan around the closures from 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29. If you live on East Ocean Avenue, call 561-742-6024 about where to park.
• Trick-or-treating the same night: see our trick-or-treat hours and Halloween events pages.

More this month: things to do in Boynton Beach in October and this weekend’s events.

Frequently asked questions

When is Pirate Fest 2026 in Boynton Beach?

Pirate Fest is noon to 10 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, and noon to 6 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, at Centennial Park and Amphitheater and along East Ocean Avenue downtown.

Is Boynton Beach Pirate Fest free?

Yes. The city lists admission as free and open to the public, and parking at its four event lots and the shuttles are free too.

Where do I park for Pirate Fest?

Park free at Hester Community Center, Carolyn Sims Center, Dewey Park or the Boynton Beach Senior Center, then take the free shuttle to City Hall. Shuttles run 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Which roads close for Pirate Fest?

From 7 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, East Ocean Avenue closes from Seacrest Boulevard to Northeast Third Street, with parts of Southeast First Avenue and Northeast First Street.

When is Pirate Fest usually held?

On a weekend in late October. It ran Oct. 28-29, 2023, Oct. 26-27, 2024, and Oct. 25-26, 2025, and falls on Halloween weekend in 2026.