Plymouth will once again be home to an impressive programme of events this summer. The line-up includes everything from Mayflower commemorations and thrilling sailing races to live music events, as well as the return of the much-loved British Firework Championships.
Councillor Pete Smith, Deputy Leader of Plymouth City Council, said:
“As we look forward to the easing of restrictions this summer, we’re delighted to be able to share the fantastic line-up of events and exhibitions taking place in Plymouth.
“There’s something for everyone to enjoy, and we’re looking forward to seeing locals and visitors alike enjoying the brilliant range of events. We’ll be sharing more information about the programme over the coming weeks and months, so look out for further details.”
The 2021 event programme highlights include:
Mayflower 400 Four Nations Ceremony (July 11)
The Four Nations Ceremony is the UK’s flagship Mayflower 400 event, marking the closure of the international Mayflower 400 commemorations. This impressive theatrical production with live music, song, drama and film will tell the Mayflower story from all angles, including direct from the Native American Wampanoag tribe. At the heart of the event will be a gigantic choir of 1,000 voices accompanied by the full concert orchestra of HM Royal Marines Band, Plymouth.
SailGP (July 17 and 18)
One of the world’s most impressive sail racing events, SailGP, will stop in Plymouth in 2021, following the season opening events in Bermuda and Taranto, Italy. Plymouth has been selected to host the Great Britain Grand Prix, the third event of SailGP Season 2. SailGP features eight national teams made up of the sport’s top athletes including Britain’s own Sir Ben Ainslie, the world’s most successful Olympic sailor leading the Great Britain SailGP Team.The high-speed, adrenaline-filled racing will take place on Plymouth Sound each day, alongside onshore activity throughout the afternoon in the race village where you can watch the action ‘close- up’ on big screens whilst looking out over the racecourse from Plymouth’s famous Hoe.
The Hatchling (August 14 and 15)
This August, theatre-makers Trigger will stage The Hatchling, an extraordinary outdoor performance bringing a worldwide myth to life. A giant puppet in the form of a dragon will appear in Plymouth and roam through the city, exploring its new surroundings and interacting with the public. The Hatchling, which stands at over 6.5m tall, is the largest ever puppet to be solely human-operated. It is constructed from super lightweight carbon fibre weighing less than a piece of hand luggage, allowing it to be operated by a team of 36 puppeteers working in rotation in groups of 15. Upon hatching the dragon will explore her environment, stopping traffic as her curiosity takes her through the city and she meets members of the public. The dragon was designed by a palaeontologist and is based on the pterosaur, a prehistoric reptile that was one of the largest flying animals ever to have lived. At sunset on Sunday August 15, she will undertake a miraculous metamorphosis into a kite, unfolding her wings spanning over 20m. Flying from a clifftop, she will soar into the sky and across the sea in a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle for a live audience. For more information visit www.thehatchling.co.uk
British Firework Championships (August 18 and 19)
The world-famous British Firework Championships is set to return to Plymouth’s waterfront in August, this popular annual event attracts approximately 100,000 people over two nights. Under the sparkling night sky, viewers will enjoy spectacular pyrotechnics that will illuminate Plymouth Sound, as six top firework companies battle it out over two nights, each putting on an awe-inspiring ten-minute display in an attempt to be crowned the winner.
1 Big Summer (August 27 to 29)
1 Big Summer, a three-day music event will take place on Plymouth Hoe on the August bank holiday weekend. See story on page 14.
The Box
Officially opened last September, amidst the pandemic, summer 2021 will be the first opportunity for many to experience one of the UK’s most impressive new cultural venues. It’s highly recommended that visitors try to catch a glimpse of the Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy exhibition, which sheds new light on a story which has endured for more than four centuries. From May 18 to July 11, the Box will also host its first touring exhibition – Wampum: Stories from the Shells of Native America. Like ‘Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy’, the exhibition is an important part of Plymouth’s ongoing Mayflower 400 commemorations. Created in partnership with the Wampanoag people, who have lived in North- Eastern America for 12,000 years, this exhibition centres on a newly created wampum belt – a symbolic and sacred object for the Wampanoag. Tickets for The Box will be available to book from mid-April. For ticket information visit www.theboxplymouth.com.
For more information about all the events taking place in Plymouth this year, please visit visitplymouth.co.uk.
