Smith Mountain Lake Pirate Days: An Insider’s Guide (2025)
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Mark your calendars and join us July 18-20, 2025, for the 12th Annual SML Pirate Days!
This fun-filled weekend is a celebration for scallywags of all ages with a wide range of pirate-themed events that support local businesses, as well as area nonprofits.
Below is a rundown of the weekend’s top events, but Commodore PJ Nagel says suggests you follow SML Pirate Days on Facebook for all the latest news.
If you’re an SML business owner planning something pirate-y, email me at [email protected] and I’ll add it here!
2025 SML Pirate Days
Events on Friday, July 18
Pirate’s Ball: Live music by Funky Bone at Mango’s Bar & Grill. Live pirates, costume contest, specialty drinks and more. Tickets are $20 at the door. Wristbands (if intact) will be good for events on Saturday and Sunday at Goodhue Boat Company, Blackwater. 7:30-11:30 p.m.
Pirate Days at Crosswhite: Enjoy free guest passes when you visit with a current member, plus half-priced initiation fees all weekend at Crosswhite Athletic Club. Don’t miss the treasure chest giveaway with prizes like club gear and daily or weekly passes. 5 a.m.-6 p.m.
Events on Saturday, July 19
Book Signing: Kristy K. Kraft will sign copies of her children’s book True Treasure outside Fun-N-Games Arcade at Bridgewater Plaza from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Written at SML and illustrated by her son, Adam D. Augustine, the story is a high-seas adventure with a Christian theme. Also available inside Gifts Ahoy.
Pancakes With Pirates: Family-oriented breakfast at Cancun Mexican Restaurant at Bridgewater Plaza. Come in costume for photos and live interactions with the Pirates of SML. Face painting, balloon animals and a treasure chest filled with goodies for the kids. Advance tickets (required) may be purchased online here. 8-10:30 a.m.
Main Pirate Festivities: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Goodhue Boat Company, Blackwater (formerly Crazy Horse Marina). Enjoy food and craft vendors, live pirates and mermaids, black powder cannon and small arms demos, The Motley Tones, The Shadow Players and more.
Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids 5 and under. Wristbands from Friday’s Pirate Ball will be honored if still intact. Lawn chairs are welcome. No coolers.
The Great Water Battle of 2025 will take place around noon.
NEW! Pirate Days After Party: Live music by The Pizzaz Band at Mango’s Bar & Grill. Live pirates, specialty drinks and more. Costumes encouraged. 7:30-11:30 p.m.
Pirate Days at Crosswhite: Enjoy free guest passes when you visit with a current member, plus half-priced initiation fees all weekend at Crosswhite Athletic Club. Don’t miss the treasure chest giveaway with prizes like club gear and daily or weekly passes. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Events on Sunday, July 20
Main Pirate Festivities: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Goodhue Boat Company, Blackwater. Enjoy food and craft vendors, live pirates and mermaids, black powder cannon and small arms demos, The Motley Tones, The Shadow Players and more.
Admission is $5 for adults, free for kids 5 and under. Wristbands from Friday’s Pirate Ball will be honored if still intact. Lawn chairs are welcome. No coolers.
Pirate Days at Crosswhite: Enjoy free guest passes when you visit with a current member, plus half-priced initiation fees all weekend at Crosswhite Athletic Club. Don’t miss the treasure chest giveaway with prizes like club gear and daily or weekly passes. 12-4 p.m.
Where to Buy SML Pirate Days Shirts
SML Pirate Days merchandise is available at Gifts Ahoy, Bridgewater Sportswear and Rock Outdoors at the lake and Capt. Party in Roanoke. Merch will also be on sale at Mango’s on Friday at the Pirate’s Ball.
Where to Stay for SML Pirate Days
Use our powerful interactive map to quickly find and compare Smith Mountain Lake hotels and vacation rental homes and condos. Filter searches for your preferred dates and budget then explore available properties.
Andie Gibson
CO-PUBLISHER & EDITOR
Andie has been covering Smith Mountain Lake since 2000 for a variety of publications, including the SML Visitor and Newcomer Guide, SML HOME Magazine, The Roanoker and Life Outside. As a partner in G&C Ventures, LLC, she oversees all content for our suite of websites, including Smith-Mountain-Lake.com and LakeLubbers.com.
