What’s on
Here we’ve listed some events and entertainment we think you’ll like, so save it in your bookmarks and pop back from time to time to see what’s coming up..
St Ives Feast Day
One of St Ives’ oldest traditions, Feast Day is a celebration of St Ives Parish Church’s consecration in 1434 AD. To this day it carries such local significance that the schools allow children to take the day off. Well, almost…
The day starts with a procession from the Guidhall to Venton Ia Well at the bottom of Porthmeor Hill where a band leads local school children as they perform a dance through the streets.
After this, the Mayor will make their way to the rear of the Parish Church and ‘hurl’ a silver ball to the beach below where a crowd of children wait to partake in what could be described as an ancient form of Rugby. There is only one rule in this game; return the ball to the Mayor at the Guildhall by midday.
After Hurling of the Silver Ball, the Mayor will also throw new pennies from the balcony of the Guildhall to the young children below. These days, what with inflation, one can’t but help the denomination of coin should be increased a little. At least 5 pence pieces…?
Historically, the local hunt has set off from Royal Square on Feast Day, but, as of 2019, the Town Council has ruled that this practice is now out-dated and inhumane so the hunt have not been invited to attend.
Porthleven Food and Music Festival
Hosted on the gorgeous harbour of Porthleven is likely to have you singing, dancing, drinking and salivating in equal measure.
“From the very best Michelin-starred chefs to international food celebrities and our local stars, the crème de la crème of the foodie world will be cooking live at this years festival”
A truly Cornish event, with something for everyone, the Porthleven Food & Music Festival welcomes thousands of visitors and promises a weekend of entertainment throughout the day and night.
Trevithick Day
Trevithick Day, in Camborne, celebrates the life of the Cornish mining engineer Richard Trevithick who was an early pioneer of steam-powered road and rail transport and the development of the first high pressured steam engine.
Every year, hundreds of steam engines make the journey to Cornwall to commemorate the life and works of Richard Trevithick. Plumes of steam and high-pitched whistles from the engines fill the streets of Camborne as thousands of people marvel at their grandeur and ingenuity.
Trevithick Day has plenty of food, drink and market stalls as well as a fun fair and lots of traditional Cornish dancing and parades through the streets. A real celebration of our Cornish mining heritage.
To find out more, read our article on Flora Day 2017 >>
Flora Day
Every year, on May 8th, Helston celebrates Flora Day. Thousands of people line the streets to watch the dances that take place over 4 miles. It takes some 20 minutes for the processions to pass any single spot along the way. Flora Day is an ancient festival that was once celebrated to welcome in a prosperous harvest, nowadays the town is beautifully decorated with spring flowers, garlands and bunting from the local countryside. There are 4 dances to enjoy; children from the local schools all dress in pristine white attire whilst the ladies can be seen in spectacularly bright and flamboyant ball gowns and the gentleman in traditional morning suits
Celebrations begin at 7am and continue throughout the day and evening with food, drinks, stalls and a fair. Entry is free but you will need to park outside of the town and walk in.
St Ives Food & Drink Festival
St Ives plays host to its very own Food & Drink Festival on Porthmister beach. Offering up food, drink and live music to tantalise your taste buds and your ears, all set up on the golden sands of one of Cornwall’s best-loved beaches.
“From wine, cider and beer producers, to chocolate and cheese makers, fruit and vegetable growers and meat, chutneys, curry and bread produced in Cornwall, the food producers market at the St Ives Food & Drink Festival 2019 is sure to delight the taste buds”
Royal Cornwall Show
Open Studios Cornwall
Visit artists and crafts people in their places of work, discover parts of the county that you may not otherwise see and meet the most interesting of folk in the form of this Cornwall clever creatives!
This unmissable annual event allows one to browse and buy works direct from the artists themselves. Top tip – cash is often king if you want to take the work home on the same day.
Family Fun In June
We are very much hoping that the weather in June is not a total washout. However, the rain in Cornwall is unpredictable and we want to make sure there is something for all the little ones to do!Fest Kernewek
Fest Kernewek is a one day festival of Cornish music, language and poetry, situated at Heartlands, Cornwall. This festival is to host an array of music, poetry stalls, and food & drink. Of course, some great kid’s activities too, ranging from story times to badge making!
Jiggle Jam
Jiggle Jam music classes are taking place every Thursday morning in Penzance. They are offering ‘informal musical fun for little ones’, with no need to book, this could be a great way to spend a rainy morning!
Raze the Roof – Elly the exercising Elephant
Every Thursday throughout June your are able to head over to Raze the Roof in Penryn and join in some dance exercise with Elly the Elephant, offering ‘music and movement for all’!
Ride a Unicorn
Yes, you heard correctly, ride a unicorn! Standing Stone Stables are hosting a magical ride for children through the woodlands to a pot of gold coins (…perhaps chocolate) on the 22/06/19. This is sure to be a wonderful day out, exploring some of the Cornish countryside with a bit of magic thrown in there too. Head over to their Facebook to find out more!
Paradise Park
Paradise Park is a fascinating day out for everyone and we would definitely recommend heading over to Hayle to check it out! An added bonus is that even on the wettest of days, they have the ‘Jungle Barn’, a brilliant indoor soft play area and café, to avoid getting soggy whilst still having fun.
Golowan Festival
This celebration of Midsummer that is as ancient as it is fun-filled takes over the whole town of Penzance.
Centre piece to the festival is Mazey Day where parades, street stalls, food, music, a fun-fair delight huge crowds every year. This year the festival is working closely with the Surfers Against Sewage Charity to make Golowan 2018 a plastic-free festival. Big thumbs up!
Image courtesy of Visit Cornwall and Adam Gibbard.
Lafrowda Day
St Just is a place bursting with community spirit and every year the whole village comes together to sing, dance, eat, drink and be merry together. With plenty of things for the whole family to enjoy, Lafrowda Day is as traditionally Cornish as you can get.
Surfhouse Summer Island Disco
This event is fun for all the family. Taking place on the Island in St Ives for the second year, with even more live music and food & drinks available this year.
Early bird tickets were available last year selling at just £5.00 for adults, with kids U10 going free.
Aggy Carnival
St Agnes (or Aggy as it is affectionately known by the locals) is a beautiful coastal village between Porthtowan and Perranporth and is renowned for its community spirit, which is celebrated every year at the Aggy Carnival. Dating back over 100 years Aggy Carnival takes place on the first Saturday in August and sees thousands of men, women and children adorned in colourful fancy dress and dancing through the streets of St Agnes. Last year the Carnival took place on August 4th so watch out for perhaps another early-August date in 2019.
Image courtesy of Visit Cornwall and Fitz Marine Photography
Falmouth Week
Falmouth week is a real spectacle to behold. One of the most prominent sailing Regattas in the South West, Falmouth Week sees over 6 days of match racing, yacht sailing and traditional crafts in and around Falmouth Harbour. The whole of Falmouth comes alive for a week of activities both on and off the water, live music, food, drinks and more.
Firework nights at Flambards
On three evenings through the summer, Flambards theme park at Helston will be lighting up the night sky with their fabulous fireworks displays, with two local dance companies putting on energised shows throughout the day from midday on the 12th and 26th.
The theme park has something for to entertain children (and big kids) of all ages; from the award winning Victorian Village and Britain in the blitz to hair-raising rides and indoor play areas. Flambards is a great day out and prices start from £9.95 for small children to £21.95 for adults.
St Ives Lifeboat Day
Hosted by the RNLI to raise awareness and funds for the incredible crew that are on call 24-hours a day to provide search and rescue services in Cornwall. As well as stalls and entertainment, the lifeboat station on the harbour front in St Ives will be open for all to visit and you can chat to the crew about the vital work they, and their impressive lifeboats, do to keep us safe while enjoying the Cornish seas.
Don’t forget, if you’re unable to make it to St Ives for the event you’ll still be able to see what’s going on via our HD webcam of St Ives Harbour
St Ives September Festival
Come September and things are still bustling in Cornwall, nowhere less than St Ives who hosts its two-week celebration of music and the arts.
Music and art lovers from far and wide arrive in St Ives. Folk, Roots, Celtic, Blues and Acoustic music are at the fore as well as outdoor poetry and art exhibitions. A real celebration of life, love and talent!