12 Ways to Get
Festive in Cornwall
2022

12 Ways to Get Festive in Cornwall in 2022

From Christmas craft fairs to festivals and light switch-ons, there is plenty to see and get involved with during the run-up to the big day itself. It is even more important in these tricky financial times to support independent shops and makers.  We do everything we can to encourage our guests to do that within our local community.

That is why we have curated some of the best places and events for you to enjoy, making planning your Cornish Escape even easier.

Monday, 12 November to Sunday, 18 December: Healeys Cyder Farm Christmas Markets, Penhallow

Healeys Christmas Markets in Cornwall are back! Every weekend until Sunday 18th December 2022 you’re invited to join the family festivities that are full of flavour. Across the six weekends available, the farm is transformed into a fairy tale world of mulled cyder and hearty food, Christmas songs, and crafts. Bring family, friends, and a healthy appetite, for a taste of authentic Healeys Christmas spirit.

Friday, 18 November: Truro Christmas Lights Switch On

Christmas celebrations launch in Truro this year on Friday, 18 November when Festive Friday returns for the second year.

From 3.00 pm Pirate FM’s Johnny Cowling and Lucy Start will be broadcasting out and about in Truro, building up to the much-anticipated lights switch-on. There will be special entertainment from 4.30 pm organised by the Hall for Cornwall.

Following the switch-on, there will be celebratory music on the stage and a short festive parade around Truro featuring performers, music and, of course, Father Christmas in his sleigh. The theme of the parade and entertainment is influenced by Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas show ‘Treasure Island’.  Spectators are encouraged to dress up as pirates to enjoy stilt walkers, dancing and interactive characters.

Wednesday, 23 November to Thursday, 24 November: The Cornwall Christmas Fair, The Eden Project, St Austell

The Eden Project will be hosting the Cornwall Christmas Fair again this year. The iconic biomes will be lit up in green to celebrate the festive season. Head to the markets in the Eden Kitchen for home accessories, beautiful jewellery and clothing, and delicious treats. Discover delightful Cornish gifts and crafts whilst raising money for The Cornwall Community Foundation, helping communities in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly by awarding small grants to grassroots, front line, volunteer-led organisations who are making a positive impact in their area.

Thursday, 24 November to Tuesday, 20 December: Christmas At Boconnoc Estate

This December why not head along to the Boconnoc Estate to take part in some festive workshops.  As Christmas draws closer, spend a beautiful candle-lit evening filled with captivating music from the magnificent Canoryon Lowen choir.

This much travelled choir has sung in Prague, Florence, Venice, Cortina, Cork, Cobh, Lorient, as well as Coventry Cathedral and venues all over Devon and Cornwall.

Wednesday, 30 November to Thursday, 1 December: Flambards’ Christmas Fayre, Helston

A Christmas fair with a unique twist, take a trip back in time and walk the cobbles of Flambard’s ‘Victorian Village’. Lined with over 80 stalls, each street will be transformed into a grotto of all things bright and beautiful. Helston town band and a Christmas carol sing-a-long will create a wonderfully merry atmosphere throughout the theme park and indoor exhibitions. For Christmas Fayre visitors, entry is just £1 over this festive weekend!

Wednesday, 30 November to Sunday, 11 December: Christmas Lights At Tregwainton Garden

See the garden in a different light and start your Christmas season with a visit to the new, after-dark Christmas lights festival. Stroll through the walled gardens and orchard under the warm glow of strings of fairy lights. Along the route there will be illuminated structures creatively made by local schools, artists and partner organisations. Make a Christmas wish by hanging a bauble on the wishing tree and finish your evening with a visit to the café or shop.

Thursday, 1 December to Sunday, 4 DecemberPadstow Christmas Festival, Padstow Town

Showcasing Padstow at its best, the festival is one of the UK’s largest, bringing together Celebrity chefs, local food producers and crafts-folk to celebrate Christmas in a captivating waterside setting. Attracting over 40,000 visitors, each year sees the festival increase in popularity.

More than 100 local producers will be selling an array of gifts and products in the traditional Christmas market, from pies and paintings to jewellery and jams. Ales and ciders from Cornwall’s favourite breweries will also be on offer.

Friday, 2 December to Sunday, 4 December: Fowey Christmas Market

Fowey Christmas Market is one of Cornwall’s most magical festive events. Attracting thousands of visitors, the quaint harbour town of Fowey comes alive with festive merriment, Christmas shopping, seasonal music, and a smorgasbord of quality locally produced food and drink.

Festive activities and shopping opportunities take place throughout town, with fabulous Christmas Markets spread across the stunning Fowey Town Quay, Albert Quay, Webb Street and Town Hall venues, where there will be at least 80 quality regional traders. Locals and visitors alike both relish in the market’s community atmosphere.

Saturday, 3 December to Sunday, 8 January: Christmas Tunnel of Lights, The Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown

Explore the Shipwreck Treasure Museum this Christmas as it’s transformed into one of the most festive places in Cornwall!

Journey through every imaginable Christmas setting, from the snowy winter wonderland of Narnia’s frozen forests to a room filled with giant baubles of every possible colour! Walk through an entire world of beautifully wrapped glittering presents, wander through Candy Land, explore the Shipwreck as snow falls all around you and take a pit stop at the mini German Christmas Market.

Finally, follow Santa’s footsteps through our glittering North Pole to walk amongst hundreds and thousands of twinkling lights in the UK’s longest tunnel of indoor festive lights on dazzling display and step into the Giant Snow Globe and take a picture with your friends and family.

Wednesday, 7 December: St Ives Christmas Lights Switch On

Although St Ives lights were switched on just before Halloween, the official celebration will take place on Wednesday, 7 December when Santa makes an appearance via RNLI lifeboat.

Saturday, 10 December – Sunday, 11 December: Falmouth’s Festive Weekend, Falmouth

Falmouth will be transformed into a winter wonderland. Get festive with delicious street food, sing-a-long with carolers, take a ride on the snow train and show off your skating skills on the artificial ice-rink. Enjoy a warming tipple in one of the Nordic tipis on Events Square, complete with a roaring fire. You can even see the nativity live!

Monday, 12 December to Saturday, 17 December: Mousehole Christmas Lights Switch On

The traditional switch-on at Cornwall’s most extravagant Christmas light display this year will commence from Monday, 12 December and all lights will be turned on by Saturday, 17 December.  The festivities in the tiny village of Mousehole have been enticing huge crowds since 1963 with around 7,000 bulbs in total.

The famous lights strung up all along the harbour are illuminated for the festive season. They started as merely a string of lights along Mousehole harbour but have grown to be a staple in the Cornwall festive calendar.

Monday, 12 to Saturday, 31 December: The Naughty or Nice Tour at Bodmin Jail

This December Bodmin Jail invites you to take a festive jaunt through the Victorian period as you meet the naughty or nice of the 1800s. With a focus on Christmas crimes and criminals, this new seasonal tour will take you from debtors’ jails to the workhouses, the impact of Charles Dickens on the plight of the poor and the public fascination with a Christmas execution.

 

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