What's on in Cornwall? The county is host to a vast selection of varying events throughout the calendar from January to December. Planning ahead can be fun, especially when it involves thinking up activities for your break away. Picking out some events to attend on holiday gives you even more to look forward to and also allows you to experience a bit of culture among the locals.
We have compiled a list of Cornwall’s best events whether they be free days out, family-friendly events, sporting or musical-themed affairs, as well as a fair number of cultural and country shows too. Read on to find out what’s on in Cornwall and when. For even more Kernow-based joys, visit our comprehensive Discover Cornwall guide and find out why this part of the South West is so good for the soul.
Cornwall’s event calendar is full of variety, so coincide a trip with the events of your choice and stay at one of our superb holiday cottages. We have accommodation large and small, for everybody – from couples to large families and groups of friends. Where will you stay on your trip to Cornwall?
Cornwall cottages
Find out what's on in Cornwall by skipping ahead to the month of your visit:
What's on in Cornwall in January
Tate St Ives
If modern art is your thing, then a visit to Tate St Ives should be top of your list of things to do in Cornwall. January is the perfect time of year to get out of the cold and absorb some culture during your holiday in St Ives. You might also want to take a look at our handy guide to things to do in St Ives.
- Good to know: Tate St Ives has a lovely cafe/restaurant with sea views as well as a cool gift shop
- Tickets: Ticket or membership card required. Visit the website for more information
- Stay nearby: Polly's Place | sleeps 4
St Ives cottages
Falmouth Art Gallery
Falmouth Art Gallery is a must for art lovers visiting the town. Offering a fabulous range of exhibitions and events throughout the year, why not shake off those January blues with a visit? The staircase gallery features community displays, showcasing work by local groups and schools.
- Good to know: The Falmouth Art Gallery is dog friendly and pushchair and wheelchair accessible throughout
- Tickets: Admission to the gallery is free
- Stay nearby: Cedar – Falmouth | sleeps 6 + 3 dog
Falmouth cottages
What's on in Cornwall in February
St Ives Day Feast and Hurling the Silver Ball
A very rare chance to see the obscure ancient Cornish tradition reputed to be over 1,000 years old. Similar to rugby, but involving a silver-coated ‘cricket ball’, two teams face off to keep possession. Hurling the Silver Ball begins outside St la's Parish Church and continues through the town streets. This is preceded by a procession and topped off with a feast on one of St Ives' beaches (check local press for specific details). Bring a deck chair and cheer your favourite players at the beach! If Cornish beaches are your thing, check out our guide to some of the best in The Duchy.
- Good to know: This unique game is unmissable. It's like other traditional regional sports like the Cotswolds Cheese Rolling and the Eton Wall Game
- Tickets: There is no charge to see the game. Get to St Ives early as parking spaces are hard to find on event days
- Stay nearby: Apartment 1, Oceanis | sleeps 4
Cornish Pasty Week | Various locations
Cornwall and the pasty is like Laurel and Hardy; you cannot think of one without picturing the other. So, it stands to reason that the county’s most famous export has its very own week devoted to the beloved Cornish pasty. Cornish Pasty Week.
- Good to know: There are many variations of the pasty found around the world: the Indian samosa, the Chinese shaobing, the Spanish empanada, and the Eastern European pirog
- Tickets: Keep an eye on the official website and local press for any events celebrating all things pasty
- Stay nearby: Customs House Roost | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
What's on in Cornwall in March
St Piran’s Day Celebrations | Various locations
Not many people know that St Piran is Cornwall’s patron saint and that the black and white flag is his emblem. Also, all across Kernow, you will find celebrations revolving around Cornish identity and national awareness. If you're visiting Cornwall in March, be sure to check online and in the local press for St Piran's Day events near you.
- Good to know: The ubiquitous national flag for Cornwall – a white cross on a black background – is the flag of St Piran
- Tickets: Events are largely free
- Stay nearby: Penzance holiday cottages
The Falmouth Spring Festival
Given a high profile by the BBC, the Falmouth Spring Festival is a wonderful celebration of early blooms that flourish thanks to the temperate climes of the south coast of Cornwall. There is a flower show and a series of educational talks and workshops to enjoy too.
- Good to know: The festival dates back to 1910, making it Cornwall's longest-running flower show
- Tickets: Entry is free
- Stay nearby: Clippity Clop | sleeps 2 + 1 dog
What's on in Cornwall in April
Easter events | Various locations
Easter is big everywhere in Cornwall, and there is a whole raft of events from church outings to Easter egg hunts for young families. Easter at Eden, Easter at Flambards, and the Golden Egg Challenge at Paradise Park are all major contenders in the seasonal calendar vying for your attention.
- Good to know: Easter is big news in Cornwall. Check the local press in advance for impromptu events that don't have the budget for large-scale advertising
- Tickets: The Easter egg hunting trails at the theme parks generally charge an entry fee for children
- Stay nearby: Ann Dyji | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
Rattler Fest | Healey's Cyder Farm, Truro
Everybody loves a good music festival and Rattler Fest, which is named after one of Cornwall's leading ciders, occurs earlier in the year than many of the others that happen around the UK like Boardmasters, Glastonbury, Love Supreme, Isle of Wight, or Bestival. Each year promises a quirky line-up of bands to rock out to.
Truro cottages
What's on in Cornwall in May
Bolster Weekend | St Agnes
Go to St Agnes and see a real giant parade around the villages, drink Bolster Blood in the Driftwood Spars and head to Chapel Porth to see the giant get defeated by St Agnes herself! One of the best days out on the calendar if you want an authentic Cornish experience. Bolster Weekend is not to be missed.
- Good to know: The parking at Chapel Porth is quite limited on busy days so park at the Wheal Coates to save yourself some time
- Tickets: Beyond parking charges, it's free!
- Stay nearby: Newdowns Cottage | sleeps 2
World Pilot Gig Championships | The Isles of Scilly
A gig is a long, heavy wooden rowing boat formerly used by lifeboatmen. It’s not an uncommon sight to see gig teams out on the waterways of the South West and Wales. Every year, the best of the best convene to battle for wave rowing supremacy. You can get boats and helicopters from Penzance for day trips to the Isles of Scilly to catch the World Pilot Gig Championships.
- Good to know: Gig rowing is fairly uncommon in the UK – you can also see gig regattas in North Devon around the Taw/Torridge Estuary
- Tickets: For details on where to get tickets and race times, keep a watchful eye on this website
- Stay nearby: Honey Hedge | sleeps 2
What's on in Cornwall in June
The Royal Cornwall Show | Wadebridge
The big daddy of them all, The Royal Cornwall Show in Wadebridge is a very popular event that has been running since 1793! Everything to do with country life in Cornwall can be seen and experienced here – livestock judging, flower displays and show jumping … the buzz is infectious!
- Good to know: Bees and honey are big news at the Royal Cornwall Show – they have their own marquee with a live hive
- Tickets: Visit the website for the latest updates
- Stay nearby: Kernow Cottage | sleeps 4
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
If you like folk music, then head to Falmouth to see some of the best acapella groups from around the world belt out songs about the ocean. This genre of music has a huge international following but was also popularised recently by the Fisherman's Friends from Port Isaac and the accompanying film adaptation. Don't miss the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, it's one of the most unique celebrations of music there is.
What's on in Cornwall in July
Cornwall Pride | Newquay
A celebration of LGBT life in the South West, Cornwall Pride is the place to be. A parade of colour and light trails its way across Newquay and parties are on all day and through the night. Some years, there's even a dog show! Pride events occur across Cornwall, starting in June, so check online for details.
- Good to know: The parade usually runs between Newquay's Towan Beach and Killacourt Park (from 11.45am)
- Tickets: Entry is free
- Stay nearby: The Spinnakers | sleeps 5
Newquay cottages
Penzance Literary Festival
Enjoy the best of Kernowian literature at this important Cornish event. Special guests from across The Duchy and beyond assemble for readings and signings at several venues around Penzance. There is also an open competition most years, you can find out more by visiting the website for the Penzance Literary Festival.
Lafrowda Festival | St Just
A 2-week series of events that centre around the West Penwith town of St Just. A celebration of art, community and performance, the Lafrowda Festival culminates in a street party on the third Saturday of the month called Lafrowda Day! All the roads are closed off and a big old carnival takes place. It’s wild!
- Good to know: Drive the short distance to National Trust Cornwall's Cape Cornwall after the festival to be at one of the British Isles' two capes
- Tickets: Entry is free
- Stay nearby: The Pottery | sleeps 2 + 2 dogs
What's on in Cornwall in August
Boardmasters Surf, Skate, and Music Event | Newquay
All roads lead to Newquay for one of the biggest music-meets-extreme-sports events in the world! Boardmasters attracts some of the music industry giants and athletes who would make Aquaman look like C3-PO. Unmissable.
- Good to know: Never one to skimp on the choices of food, there are street food stalls galore to choose from at Boardmasters
- Tickets: There are all kinds of variations on offer on the Boardmasters website – tickets sell out fast so be swift
- Stay nearby: Porth Apartment | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
What's on in Cornwall in September
The Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival | Truro
Where better to celebrate a collision of two of life's best creations – cider and music – than at The Little Orchard Festival? Now running in its 10th year, this superb family-friendly weekend is the perfect choice for those into the perfect blend of music, good drink and relaxation.
- Good to know: As opposed to the Rattler Festival, you can bring your kids to this family-friendly shindig
- Tickets: Prices begin at £70. For more details visit the festival website
- Stay nearby: The Coach House - Ladock | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
Heritage Open Days in Cornwall | Various locations
The doors of Kernow’s most curious buildings fly open for ten days every September when you can visit some of the strangest yet most alluring architectural wonders in the county that are usually closed to the public. See what wonders are open to the public during Cornwall's Heritage Open Days.
- Good to know: Heritage Open Days is a nationwide initiative, so no matter where you go in the UK, there's always somewhere of interest involved
- Tickets: Entry is generally free but check the website for those that charge a small fee – sign up for the newsletter for updates
- Stay nearby: May Cottage | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
What's on in Cornwall in October
Falmouth Oyster Festival
This one is for the foodies, but to come to Cornwall and not get immersed in the county’s cuisine is a bit remiss. Cookery demonstrations, tastings, sea shanties, and Cornish bonhomie await at the Falmouth Oyster Festival.
- Good to know: This festival is where the world-famous Fal oyster is championed
- Tickets: Typically, there is a range of live events on in the evening – tickets can be booked in advance
- Stay nearby: The Anchorage | sleeps 6
Halloween at Paradise Park | Hayle
As the dark nights reappear, Halloween looms out at you. Down in Cornwall, there are some local variants on the popular themes, however, a good bet for a family-friendly Halloween is the event at Paradise Park in Hayle.
- Good to know: Paradise Park is a great theme park and this is a rare opportunity to enjoy the park after dark
- Tickets: Keep an evil eye on the events page on the website for the latest updates
- Stay nearby: Godrevy Watch | 4 + 2 dogs
What's on in Cornwall in November
Bonfire Night | Various locations
Firework displays take place all the way across The Duchy. The best ones are found in the larger towns like Falmouth, Truro, Redruth and St Austell. Firework displays are a great way for the community to come together and enjoy a spectacle, and of course, everybody is welcome to join in on the fun.
- Good to know: Be sure to check the local press ahead of the date for specific details
- Tickets: Entry is generally free, but occasionally numbers are restricted so check your chosen destination to see if you need to register attendance in advance
- Stay nearby: Rowan at Golant | sleeps 4 + 3 dogs
Cornwall Film Festival | Falmouth
Mainly taking place at venues in Falmouth like The Poly and King Charles Church Hall, the varied Cornwall Film Festival's programme of international films is bolstered by Q+As with directors and actors. Cinephiles will enjoy the opportunity to see some independent movies from around the world before their general release.
- Good to know: Sign up for the newsletter as the best films sell out quickly, the programme is a winner, every year
- Tickets: Prices are generally around the £10 mark – some screenings have live PAs from the stars and filmmakers
- Stay nearby: 3 The Square | sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
What's on in Cornwall in December
Christmas Markets | Various locations
Each year sees the return of Cornwall’s Christmas markets. They are found in each of the main towns and larger villages. You can see carol singers, buy Christmas food and browse gifts. It's the best way to get some great seasonal Christmas food from local farmers, butchers and bakers, as well as see how Christmas is celebrated Cornish style.
- Good to know: Check local press for locations, times, and dates for when the Christmas tree lights will be switched on. You may see more than one during your holiday if the timing is right. Fowey has a great Christmas market.
- Tickets: Entry to the Christmas markets is generally free, and parking fees are often waived for late-night shopping
- Stay nearby: Allseasons | sleeps 4 + 1 dog
Special events at Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral hosts a programme of Christmas events throughout December. Each year has a different theme or emphasis; in 2022 there was the popular 'Follow The Star Trail' and a chance for children to meet Santa Claus. Previous years have also seen carol services for pets too!
- Good to know: Truro is the capital of Cornwall so why not do some Christmas shopping before your chosen service?
- Tickets: Most events are free although donations are voluntary
- Stay nearby: Little Roseveth Sunflower Cottage | sleeps 2 + 3 dogs
Stay at a self-catering cottage in Cornwall
Book a holiday to Cornwall early to make sure that you are in town for your chosen event. We have self-catering cottages in some of the best locations up and down Cornwall, so you'll be close at hand when the time is right. We have romantic cottages for cosy weekends and large country houses for holidays with extended family. No matter who you are planning to escape to Cornwall with, we have a memorable property for you.
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