Carnival, jazz festival and Elizabethan Christmas among new waterfront event plans

By Andy Towcester and Alison Stephenson (Local Democracy Service)

A carnival, a jazz and blues festival and an Elizabethan Christmas weekend could all be coming to the waterfront under ambitious plans unveiled by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership.

The events form part of a new five-year vision that also includes open-air theatre performances at Tinside and the Lion's Den, more activity at Mount Batten Park and a stronger programme of arts, heritage and seasonal events across the city's waterfront.

The partnership says the proposals would build on popular fixtures such as Pirates Weekend, Seafest and the Santa Fun Run, while creating new reasons for people to visit throughout the year.

One of the more eye-catching ideas is an Elizabethan-themed Christmas weekend, giving people "another chance to dress up" following the success of Pirates Weekend. Shakespeare performances at Tinside Cove are also being explored, alongside storytelling celebrating the history of the Barbican, Royal William Yard and Mount Batten.

Plans also include brighter architectural lighting in areas including the Barbican, Royal William Yard and Mount Batten, while the Barbican could be transformed with Covent Garden-style flower carts and barrows to enhance its character.

Away from events, the partnership wants to improve the visitor experience by investigating a single ticket covering buses, trains and ferries, expanding ferry links, improving maps and signage, increasing waste collections and promoting local food, businesses and artists.

The proposals are part of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership's bid to secure a fourth five-year Business Improvement District (BID) term. More than 500 levy-paying businesses will vote in a postal ballot between September 14 and October 15.

If approved, the BID is expected to raise around £2.4 million by 2032 to invest in events, marketing and improvements across the waterfront, from Royal William Yard and Mayflower Marina to the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Mount Batten and Queen Anne's Battery.