The diary below picks out highlights from events happening in Plymouth and the surrounding area in 2009. For many more events taking place throughout the year click on the websites identified below.


 

1st - 5th Wimbledon (Plymouth Piazza Big Screen)
Catch all the semi final and final action on the giant outdoor screen in Plymouth City Centre. Will Andy Murray manage to become the first British male winner for over 70 years? The piazza incorporates extensive seating for the tournament, as well as food stalls and a licenced bar.

2nd Rod Stewart (Home Park Football Stadium)
Rock legend Rod Stewart performs at Plymouth Argyle's stadium for his only scheduled UK tour date for 2009. One of the biggest rock stars in the world, with over 40 years of music and numerous hit albums behind him, this is sure to be a night to remember.

3rd Russell Howard (Plymouth Pavilions)
The hugely popular star of BBC's Mock the Week adds extra nights to his current Dingledodies tour. For further details and tickets see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

3rd - 25th Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Theatre Royal)
This multi-award winning production takes to the stage of Plymouth's Theatre Royal throughout July. Be amazed by the spectacular sets, magical songs and stunning special effects. For further details and booking see www.theatreroyal.com.

4th - 18th Eden Sessions (The Eden Project)
Regarded by Time Out magazine as 'The most sublime summer music festival you could ever hope to experience', the Eden Sessions return this year with a line-up boasting Oasis, Razorlight, Kasabian, Paul Weller, The Kooks and Ladyhawke. For more information see www.edenproject.com.

16th - 19th British Open Golf (Plymouth Piazza Big Screen)
Watch the entire competition on the giant outdoor screen in Plymouth City Centre. The piazza incorporates extensive seating for the tournament, as well as food stalls and a licenced bar.

18th Jazz Picnic (Saltram House)
Saltram House hosts an evening featuring some of the best Jazz musicians in the region. The beautiful setting of the house and gardens should make this a truly memorable way to spend a summer's evening.

25th July - 2nd Aug Port of Plymouth Sailing Regatta (The Barbican)
The annual sailing regatta takes place in and around the Barbican harbour, in conjuction with the Classic Boat Rally (see below). The regatta offers competitive racing across a range of yacht and dingy classes.

31st - 4th Aug Plymouth Classic Boat Rally (The Barbican)
Plymouth's annual classic boat rally will be taking place in Sutton Harbour, in the Barbican, with up to 100 craft expected to make up the spectacle.

31st Jimmy Carr (Plymouth Pavilions)
Back by popular demand, the ubiquitous Jimmy Carr returns with his latest show, Joke Technician. For further details and tickets see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

 

1st - 2nd Port of Plymouth Sailing Regatta (see July)

1st - 4th Plymouth Classic Boat Rally (see July)

3rd - 8th Bill Bailey (Theatre Royal)
One of Britain's finest and most popular comics, master of the surreal, Bill Bailey brings his unique comedy to Plymouth for six nights at the Theatre Royal. For further details and booking see www.theatreroyal.com.

9th Mamma Mia (Plymouth Piazza Big Screen)
Catch a free showing of the phenomenally succesful, award-winning musical film, Mamma Mia, showing on the giant outdoor screen in Plymouth City Centre. The piazza incorporates extensive seating, as well as food stalls and a licenced bar.

10th - 22nd Chicago (Theatre Royal)
The internationally renowned, award-winning musical takes to the stage of Plymouth's Theatre Royal through August. For further details and booking see www.theatreroyal.com.

11th - 12th Finals of the British Fireworks Championships (Plymouth Sound)
Held each year over the waters of Plymouth Sound this spectacular competition is a highlight of Plymouth's calendar. This event is free and open to all.

14th - 16th Flavour Fest (Plymouth Piazza)
An extensive range of stalls offering food and produce from over 120 of the region's finest producers.

15th Plymouth Argyle v Queens Park Rangers (Home Park Football Stadium)
The opening home fixture of the Championship season sees the Pilgrims begin their campaign against the London side QPR, owned by Flavio Briatore and Bernie Ecclestone.

25th - 29th Singin' in the Rain (Theatre Royal)
A brand new production of the much-loved classic Singin' in the Rain. Brought to you by the company behind huge successes such as 42nd Street and Beauty and the Beast, this new show stars Olivier award-winning West End and Broadway star Tim Flavin. For further details and booking see www.theatreroyal.com.

29th High School Musical 3 (Plymouth Piazza Big Screen)
Bring the kids along for the latest of the hugely popular High School Musical films, showing free on the giant outdoor screen in Plymouth City Centre. The piazza incorporates extensive seating and food stalls.

 

5th - 6th Navy Days (Devonport Naval Base)
Plymouth's Navy once again opens its gates to the public, giving visitors the opportunity to explore their ships and submarines, experience how sailors live and marvel at the technology that is transforming the Royal Navy.

9th - 11th Michael Mcintyre (Plymouth Pavilions)
Man of the moment, Michael Mcintyre, comes to Plymouth Pavilions for three nights in September. Nominated for numerous awards, following on from last year's sell out UK tour, and with a DVD that became the fastest selling debut stand up DVD of all time, Michael brings his wit and charms to Plymouth for the first time. For further details and tickets see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

12th Last Night of the Proms (Plymouth Piazza Big Screen)
One of the highlights of the classical calendar, the last night of the Proms will be shown live on the big screen in Plymouth. Remember to bring your Union Jacks!

12th Heritage Open Days (Elizabethan House / Merchant's House / Smeaton's Tower)
To celebrate Heritage Open Days 2009 all of the above properties will be removing their admission charges for the day.

 

23rd Bloc Party (Plymouth Pavilions)
Electro-indie kings have announced their biggest ever UK tour. Since their platinum selling debut album Bloc Party have had a string of hit singles and have recently released their third album, Intimacy. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.


 

11th Motorhead (Plymouth Pavilions)
The legendary heavy metal band perform for one night only at Plymouth Pavilions in November. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

21st Lily Allen (Plymouth Pavilions)
Lily Allen is one of the biggest names in British pop music today. Having just completed a sell-out tour on the other side of the Atlantic, Lily returns to the UK with a series of new tour dates in November. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com

 

TBC Christmas Market (City Centre)

2nd Alice Cooper (Plymouth Pavilions)
The iconic hard rock star, celebrating a 30 year music career, and with 25 albums behind him, brings his tour to Plymouth this December. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

11th Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blue Orchestra (Plymouth Pavilions)
Following his sell-out show last year, Jools returns to perform tracks spanning his 11 albums, with guest vocals provided by a number of artists. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

15th UB40 (Plymouth Pavilions)
With a reputation as one of the best live bands in the world, over 70 million record sales to their name and 54 UK hit singles, reggae legends UB40 will be performing at the Pavilions for this one evening only. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

18th Dec - 23th Jan Aladdin (Theatre Royal)
This year's panto is the classic fairytale Aladdin. For further details and booking see www.theatreroyal.com.

4th Dave Gorman (Plymouth Pavilions)
With a huge number of unique adventures already under his belt, the hilarious Dave Gorman embarks on his latest challenge: a national UK comedy tour, which will see him cycling over 1,500 miles to perform at over 30 venues around the country. For further details and booking see www.plymouthpavilions.com.

5th Plymouth Argyle v Middlesborough FC (Home Park Football Stadium)
The 2009 Premier League football season saw some big casualties. Middlesborough are the first of two big name teams to visit Plymouth this month as they fight to get back into the Premiership.

17th Plymouth Argyle v Newcastle United (Home Park Football Stadium)
The fixture that every Championship side will be looking forward to in the 2009/10 season: the visit of Newcastle United. One of the biggest relegation shocks in the history of the Premiership, the club was full of huge stars last year (Shearer, Keegan, Owen, Martins, Viduka) and will be looking to re-establish themselves among the Premier League giants as soon as possible.