Boynton Beach Pirate Fest returns to downtown on Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026, and because the first day lands on Halloween, the city is folding trick-or-treating, costume contests and an after-dark Haunted Trail into the free two-day festival at Centennial Park & Amphitheater and along East Ocean Avenue. The warm-up has already started: a citywide treasure hunt drops a new clue on social media at 10 a.m. today, Monday, Oct. 19, with the last one coming Monday, Oct. 26.

Halloween Saturday, Family Sunday

Saturday runs from noon to 10 p.m., the longer of the two days, and the city has built the evening around the holiday. Trick-or-treating runs through the festival grounds, and the Haunted Trail opens at 6:45 p.m. for anyone willing to walk it after dark. The kids costume contest starts at 2:15 p.m. on the Kraken / Seacrest stage, followed by the adult contest at 2:45 p.m., and a Pirate Fest parade leads into the judging. A zombie and pirate flash mob is set for 2:30 p.m., and the night closes with a pub sing on the main Centennial stage at 9 p.m.

Sunday is shorter, noon to 6 p.m., with most of the same performers on rotation and a closing pub sing on the main stage from 5 to 6 p.m.

Three Stages, Plus a Mermaid Grotto

The city has posted the full entertainment lineup, and it is spread across three stages downtown: Main / Centennial, Railroad / Buccaneer Bay and Kraken / Seacrest. The Nerveless Nocks, a family stunt act, play the main stage several times each day. Cast in Bronze, Black Velvet Band and Black Thorne Brigade fill out the main stage, while the Bawdy Boys, 3 String Circus, Pirates of the 4 Winds and a recurring BlackBeard's Kid Show hold the Railroad stage. Acrobellum, Buckle & Swash, the Crimson Pirates and Samkoma rotate through the Kraken stage.

Away from the stages, Mermaid Jules hosts the Mermaid Grotto, with a splash show at 3 p.m. both days. A live glass blowing demonstration runs most of the afternoon (1:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday), a chess-themed fight show takes over the Royal Chessman area several times a day, and a tomato throw repeats through both afternoons. Cannon demonstrations and interactive pirate encampments round out the program.

For Kids: The Lil' Scallywag Zone

Younger visitors get their own area, the Lil' Scallywag Zone, with games, face painting and pirate-themed activities. Elsewhere on the grounds, the city lists sword fighting, archery and axe throwing among the hands-on pirate activities. Admission to the festival is free; food and some activities are sold on site, and artisan and food vendors line the event footprint.

The Treasure Hunt Running All Month

Ahead of the festival, the city has been hiding a Pirate Fest treasure chest somewhere in Boynton Beach every Monday in October. The clue, usually a riddle, goes up at 10 a.m. on the @CityofBoyntonBeach and @BBPirateFest social media accounts, along with a look at that week's prize. Whoever solves it and finds the chest follows the instructions inside to claim the prize. Two hunts remain on the calendar: today, Oct. 19, and next Monday, Oct. 26. Following both accounts before 10 a.m. is the way to catch the clue the moment it posts.

Getting There: Free Parking and Shuttles

The city is not asking anyone to park downtown. Free parking is set up at four sites: the Hester Community Center, the Carolyn Sims Center, Dewey Park and the Boynton Beach Senior Center. Free shuttles run from 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on two loops. Loop 1 connects Hester, Sims and City Hall; Loop 2 connects the Senior Center, Dewey Park and City Hall. All shuttles are ADA accessible, and 20 ADA spaces are reserved at the K-Pock lot among the designated event lots.

Streets around the festival close starting Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 a.m.: East Ocean Avenue from Seacrest Boulevard to NE 3rd Street, SE 1st Avenue from Seacrest Boulevard to SE 1st Street, and NE 1st Street from NE 1st Avenue to SE 1st Avenue. Residents along East Ocean Avenue who need a place to park during the closures can call the city's Events Division at 561-742-6024 to arrange a spot.

  • What: Boynton Beach Pirate Fest 2026, with Halloween trick-or-treating and a Haunted Trail on Saturday
  • When: Saturday, Oct. 31, noon to 10 p.m.; Sunday, Nov. 1, noon to 6 p.m.
  • Where: Centennial Park & Amphitheater, 120 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, and along East Ocean Avenue
  • Cost: Free admission; food and some activities sold separately
  • Treasure hunt: Clues at 10 a.m. Mondays, Oct. 19 and Oct. 26, on @CityofBoyntonBeach and @BBPirateFest
  • Questions: City of Boynton Beach Events, 561-742-6024

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