Cornwall Christmas Markets and Shopping Guide 2025

With temperatures dropping and gritters out on the roads, Cornwall is settling into the winter season. In St Ives, festive window displays are appearing in the town’s streets, and fishermen, volunteers, and local groups have been busy putting up the harbour lights. The town is preparing for Christmas, with markets, lanterns, choirs, seasonal food, and community events getting underway in the coming weeks.

If you are planning a December escape or searching for inspiration on where to enjoy the best Christmas shopping, this guide brings together the highlights for 2025. From markets with real reindeer to harbourside celebrations, cathedral fairs, live music and food festivals, Cornwall offers a wonderfully varied calendar of events to warm even the chilliest day.

Below is a round-up of this year’s Christmas markets and festive shopping spots, all within easy reach of our holiday cottages.

Garden Centre Christmas Markets

Garden centres in Cornwall have become beloved destinations for festive days out and each one brings its own charm and style.

Trevena Cross Nurseries, Breage

December weekends at Trevena Cross are a long-standing tradition for many local families. Starting early on 22 November, the markets run from 10am to 4pm with live music, walk-about characters, plenty of artificial snow and a visit from Father Christmas. It is a lively way to start the season and a great place to pick up plants, decorations and gifts.

Warnes Plants, between Helston and Camborne

Warnes is expanding its celebrations this year with the addition of Christmas cabins in a new outdoor area. Expect a towering tree, weekend performances from singers and local bands, and a cheerfully festive atmosphere. The market focuses on plants, decorations and handmade local pieces.

Dobbies, Lelant

Just outside St Ives, Dobbies hosts a late-night Christmas shopping evening on Thursday 27 November from 5pm to 8pm. Guests can wander through striking tree displays, enjoy samples of festive food and drink, browse decorations and listen to seasonal music. Ticket prices start at just £1 in support of Alzheimer’s Research.

St Ives Fair Mo Christmas Fayre

Right here in St Ives, the Fair Mo Christmas Fayre takes place at St Ia Parish Church on Saturday 6th December from 10am to 4pm. This traditional event offers handmade gifts, local produce, arts, crafts, and a warmly festive setting right in the heart of town.

Porthleven Christmas Market

Dates: 5 – 7 December 2025
Set within The Shipyard, Porthleven’s Christmas Market is a vibrant coastal event with more than fifty makers and artists, alongside food stalls, drinks, music, Porthleven’s harbour lights and Santa’s grotto. The combination of local creativity and harbour charm makes it a favourite for unique gifts.

Made in Cornwall – Cathedral Christmas Market

Dates: 26 – 29 November, 10am – 5pm
This new event fills Truro Cathedral with around 60 stalls showcasing the best Cornish produce, crafts and art. The backdrop of soaring architecture and candlelit corners makes it especially atmospheric and a perfect setting to find handmade treasures.

Cornwall Gold Christmas Market, Tolgus Mill, near Redruth

Across four days from 4th to 7th December, Cornwall Gold transforms into a hive of Christmas activity. Visitors can browse Cornish jewellery and enjoy activities such as gold panning, pottery, Pick-A-Diamond and Pick-A-Pearl. With over fifty stalls, an award-winning pantry, choirs, Santa visits and professional photography sessions, you can enjoy a full festive experience.

Truro Christmas Market

Dates: 21 November – 24 December 2025
Set on Lemon Quay, this market brings more than fifty wooden cabins featuring local artisans, food, drink and live entertainment. Running right up to Christmas Eve, it is ideal if you need last-minute presents or want to soak up city-centre festive energy.

Padstow Christmas Fayre

Dates: 4 – 7 December 2025
New for 2025, the Padstow Christmas Fayre celebrates Cornish food and drink with style. The harbour will host chef demos from well-known names including Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Emily Scott and Mark Hix. Expect masterclasses, an artisan market, live music, a lantern parade on Friday at 6pm, and a firework display lighting up the water. Entry is free, making it a brilliant destination for food lovers.

Charlestown Harbour Christmas Market

Dates: 6 and 7 December, and 20 and 21 December 2025
Charlestown’s historic harbour, famous for its tall ships, becomes a picture-perfect Christmas spot. Visitors can browse artisan makers, enjoy festive food from local favourites such as Charlestown Fish Co. and The Deck, sip seasonal drinks at Smugglers on the Harbour and meet Santa. Live music adds to the warm, community feel.

Healey’s Christmas Markets

Dates: Every weekend from 8 November – 14 December 2025
Held at Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm near Newquay, these weekends offer craft stalls, seasonal food, mulled cyder, choirs, storytelling and family-friendly activities. With its cosy farm setting, it is particularly enjoyable for children.

Cornwall Christmas Market – Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge

Dates: 12 – 14 December 2025
Known as Cornwall’s largest Christmas market, this event brings more than 135 independent traders, an enormous tree, reindeer, carol singers, performers and plenty of festive food. There is a strong family focus, with Santa visits and activities, and a wide range of handcrafted gifts. Tickets start from £7 for adults if booked in advance.

 

Late Night Shopping in Truro

Truro will host a series of late-night shopping evenings throughout December, giving visitors the chance to browse festive markets, enjoy live music, and soak up the seasonal atmosphere well into the evening.

Dates:
3 December
10 December
17 December
22 December

Many shops remain open until 9pm and both the Truro Christmas Market and Boscawen Street Market stay open late. With wooden cabins, local crafts, food, drink and performances, Truro’s late-night shopping evenings bring a lively atmosphere to the city centre.

 

Planning a Festive Break?

If you are looking for last-minute Christmas accommodation in St Ives, browse the selection of coastal cottages at Orange Roofs. Whether you want a warm hideaway for two, a family home with sea views or a dog-friendly retreat near the beach, we would love to help you find the perfect festive escape.

Book your Christmas stay with Orange Roofs and experience the joy of Cornwall at its most magical.