St Ives Holidays – May Edition
How busy is St Ives in May?
May is a beautiful time to visit St Ives. It has to be a favourite time of the year for me. The days are longer and warmer yet the beaches are still not crowded and St Ives has a relaxed vibe.
As the schools have all returned after Easter holidays, parking is more readily available. Buildings that have been scaffolded for the winter are finished and St Ives looks a better place for it!
Take a look at the beach as of 29th April and the forecast is set to be warm and dry for the foreseeable!
What's on in St Ives this May?
The big event in May in St Ives is St Ives Food Festival16th -18th May
St Ives food and Drink Festival, Porthminster Beach.
The festival is free to enter during the day however you will need to purchase a ticket to be able to go in and watch the live music acts during the sunset sessions.
Tickets are available for single evenings, or a combined ticket is available for all three sunset sessions and can be purchased from St Ives Food Festival website.
During the day you can expect live, fire pit cooking demonstrations with around six or seven different chefs each day. There is a food village where local restaurants each have a pop-up offering 3 signature dishes as small plates at affordable prices, so that you can try a bit of everything.
An artisan market and trade stands.
New this year, the festival is incorporating a wellness element and there will be workshops and classes available to join as well as a sauna tent, wood fired sauna and ice baths.
What else is on in May near St Ives?
4th May
Sangiovese pop-up at Polgoon Vineyard
Enjoy an evening of fresh handmade pasta with locally sourced ingredients with wine. 6pm, tickets are £35
8th May
Helston Flora Day
An annual spring festival held in the streets of Helston. A day full of dancing and tradition.
VE Day Tregonning Hill Beacon Lighting, Near Breage
A celebration and lighting of the beacon as the Cornwall Heritage Trusts 40th Anniversary and the 80th Anniversary of VE day. Refreshments from 3pm, lighting at 6pm. This event is free to attend, no booking necessary.
24th & 25th May
Beer Festival at The Trewellard Arms near Pendeen.
Pop along to try a locally brewed beers and enjoy live music.
What's on at the galleries in St Ives this May?
2nd May
Tate Gallery, St Ives
Opens an exhibition of the visionary Lithuanian-American artist, Aleksandra Kasuba.
12th-16th May
Leach Pottery, St Ives
5 day specialist production pottery workshop. Tickets are £690 can be bought on Leach Pottery’s website. Remember to book your St Ives Cottage too!
14th May
Acorn Theatre, Penzance
A reading and book launch by Abigail Ottley. An evening of spoken word and performance.
16th-18th May
Porthmeor Studios, St Ives
Signs of life, a ceramics exhibition.
24th May
Tate Gallery, St Ives
Hosts an exhibition by Liliane Lijn called Arise Alive. Discover art that sees the world in terms of light and energy.
What’s on in the May Half Term
Stithians Lake
Have a range of ‘have a go’ water sports activities at the lake to try.
Pendennis Castle, Falmouth
‘Ahoy me hearties’ – A pirate adventure awaits at Pendennis castle. Book online and get a 15% discount.
24th May-1st June
Rock Pool explorers at the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth
Enjoy learning in the mobile rock pool, join make and take sessions and complete the museum trail to find all the rock pool creatures. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
25th May
Penlee Park Open Air Theatre
Adventures of Dr Doolittle brought to the stage by Illaria Theatre company 7pm at Penlee Open Air Theatre.
Jubilee Pool, Penzance
The inflatable assault course will be available in the main pool all week (weather dependent). Tickets can be bought in advance online or on arrival.
31st May
Jubilee Pool’s 90th Birthday
A full day of activities to celebrate the pools 90th Birthday. Expect special menus from the café, mermaid visits, polo matches and more. The fabulous Company B play out the evening on the terrace. Tickets can be purchased on Jubilee Pool’s website.
Property Review of the Month
Review from a guest that stayed at Porthia Penthouse in AprilWe recently stayed at this Porthia Penthouse and had an amazing experience! The place was clean, spacious, and is beautifully decorated, making it feel like a home away from home. The location is perfect, with easy access to local attractions and amenities. With parking. The owner and Orange roofs was incredibly welcoming and responsive, ensuring that all our needs were met during our stay. I can’t wait to return for another visit! Highly recommend this penthouse to anyone looking for a comfortable and enjoyable stay. If I could give 6 stars I would!
To book your stay at Porthia Penthouse – click here!
Fun fact for May
Did you know...?May Day was once banned. Persecution of May Day festivities began as early as the 1600s, and in 1640 the Church ruled against the debauchery when the British Parliament banned the traditions as immoral. A much tamer version was brought back in 1644 under the rule of Charles II.
Tradition states that washing your face in the Dew produced on May day will beautify your skin.
And finally, in Italy, May Day is said to be the happiest day of the year.
Harbour Beach Cottage | sleeps 6
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