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Top 3 places to enjoy New Year’s Eve Fireworks in Cornwall

Many love to celebrate the start of a brand New Year with a bang! Here is our guide to the top 3 places to see fireworks this New Year's Eve in Cornwall

New Year’s Eve fireworks and fancy dress

Fireworks were said to be invented in China and the Chinese believed that the first-ever firecracker would ward off evil spirits. This is believable as there is something quite extraordinary when watching a spectacular show of fireworks that lasts for minutes at a time. The air is filled with incredible light and sounds where evil spirits would definitely get the message they’re not wanted! The first fireworks in Europe were manufactured in Italy and European rulers were particularly fond of fireworks to “enchant their subjects and illuminate their castles on important occasions.” The New Year’s Eve firework displays in St Ives and Newquay don’t illuminate castles but they do illuminate the sea and the reflections on the water at high tide are simply beautiful.

Ever wondered why St Ives’ streets are packed with fancy dressed party revellers on New Year’s Eve? It all started with friendly rivalry between pub owners in St Ives which has grown into one of the UK’s biggest destinations to celebrate the New Year!

Many, many moons ago, in a St Ives’ pub, the landlords decided to host a fancy dress shindig. Being a huge success and as the night wore on, the cheerful (and ever-so slightly merry) crowd increased and the costume-clad locals spilt out of the pub and paraded through the town to show off their novel costumes. Other pubs saw this and decided that the following New Year they would show them who could really throw the best New Year’s party.

That following year came and several other pubs in St Ives had fancy dress themes for the night and, inevitably (or predictably) the temptation to take to the streets and show off was too much to resist. As the years went by more and more places in this fabulous coastal town started getting in on the fun and it quickly built up to become the famous celebration that we know and love today.

Fancy dress outfits in shop windows St Ives

 

Where to enjoy Fireworks in Cornwall this New Year's Eve

It is with great appreciation to Truro City Council, Newquay City Council and St Ives Town Council we can share these three top places to enjoy 2022 New Year's Eve in technicolour!

Don’t miss the incredible displays this year and let’s all pray for settled weather so everyone can enjoy the spectacle in the dry. We recommend you get to the best spot to enjoy the fireworks a good 30 minutes before midnight, wrap up warm and be close to the ones you love to take in the full soul-enriching moments of the sky filling with light and wonder for 2023!

 

1. ST IVES

Head to St Ives Harbour for midnight!

St Ives Harbour – Smeaton’s Pier

Join the crowds all in fancy dress to watch the amazing firework display from Smeaton’s Pier, St Ives Harbour from midnight. There will be a high tide at the time so the reflections will be seen in the sea making the photos spectacular!

2. NEWQUAY

Newquay Harbour lights up with their fabulous fireworks display at midnight

Newquay Harbour

See in 2023 with a bang, head down to Newquay Harbour for a fantastic fireworks display from Newquay Town Council which is sure to make your New Year’s Eve celebration a very memorable one!

Visitors are advised to make their way to their favourite vantage point in Newquay with a view of the Harbour, to see the sky light up over the bay

3. TRURO

There are two sittings for fireworks this New Year's Eve in Truro, an early one for younger families and then the midnight celebrations

Truro Lemon Quay Fireworks

Join Truro City Council for the New Year’s Eve Family Fireworks Display on Saturday 31st December from 7.30pm. The fireworks are set off from Truro School and can be viewed from Lemon Quay. The event is free to attend.

Then, for those who like to see in the New Year in style, Truro City Council’s Midnight Fireworks Display will wow you from midnight. Gather just before midnight to see the fireworks when the clock strikes 12!

The fireworks will be set off from Truro School and you can view the display from Lemon Quay. The event is free to attend.

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