Cornwall has a calendar packed with festivals, many rooted in centuries-old traditions, and others celebrating food, music and the sea. Timing a visit around one of them is a great way to see Cornish culture at its most lively. Here is a guide through the year. Dates change from year to year, so always check the official websites before you travel.
Spring
St Piran's Day, 5 March. St Piran is the patron saint of tinners and of Cornwall, and his day is celebrated across the county with parades, music and the black and white Cornish flag, which bears his name. Events take place in many towns, and a procession to St Piran's Oratory in the dunes near Perranporth is a long-standing tradition.
'Obby 'Oss Day, Padstow, 1 May. One of the oldest folk festivals in England. Two 'osses dance through Padstow's streets, decked with greenery and flowers, with drums, accordions and singing from early morning. It is packed, so arrive early.
Flora Day, Helston, around 8 May. Helston celebrates the arrival of spring with dances through the streets, including the famous Furry Dance, danced in and out of houses and gardens. The midday dance is the best known, and the town is decorated with bluebells and gorse. If 8 May falls on a Sunday or Monday, the day moves to the Saturday before.
Summer
Golowan Festival, Penzance, late June. Golowan, Cornish for the feast of St John, is a revival of the old midsummer celebrations, with music, arts, fireworks and Mazey Day, when the streets of Penzance fill with parades and processions.
Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge, June. Cornwall's biggest agricultural show, with livestock, crafts, food and entertainment, held at the Royal Cornwall Showground over several days.
Regattas and gig racing. Through the summer, harbours around Cornwall hold regattas, with sailing, swimming races and pilot gig racing, a traditional Cornish rowing sport. Look out for local events in Fowey, Falmouth and many other harbours.
Boardmasters, Newquay, August. A large surf, skate and music festival held around Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.
Autumn
St Ives September Festival. A festival of art, music, poetry and talks that has run in St Ives for many years, with events in galleries, churches and pubs.
Falmouth Oyster Festival, October. A celebration of the start of the oyster dredging season. Falmouth's oyster fishery is famous for using traditional sail and oar-powered boats. Expect cookery demonstrations, local seafood and maritime events.
Halloween and Allantide. Allantide, an old Cornish festival held on 31 October, was traditionally celebrated with large, shiny apples given as gifts for luck. It is enjoying something of a revival in some communities.
Winter
Truro City of Lights, late November. A lantern procession through the streets of Truro, with huge illuminated sculptures made by local schools and community groups, marking the start of the Christmas season.
Mousehole Christmas lights and Tom Bawcock's Eve, December. Mousehole's harbour is famous for its Christmas lights, and on 23 December the village celebrates Tom Bawcock's Eve with a lantern procession and Stargazy pie.
Montol, Penzance, 21 December. A revival of old Cornish midwinter customs, with lantern processions, guise dancing in masks and costumes, and a bonfire.
Good to know
- Accommodation books up fast around the biggest festivals. Book well ahead.
- Roads and car parks are very busy on festival days. Use public transport or park and ride where available.
- Many traditional festivals are free to watch, but some events within them need tickets.
- Respect local traditions: these are community celebrations, not just tourist events.
Photos: 'Obby 'Oss Day, Padstow by Rod Allday, CC BY-SA 2.0; The 'Obby 'Oss festival by Bryan Ledgard, CC BY 2.0; via Wikimedia Commons.
