A Cornish Christmas

Christmas shopping in Cornwall

Speaking of Christmas shopping, where are the best places to stock up on stocking fillers in Cornwall? Our local town, St Ives, is the perfect place to shop for art lovers, while nearby Penzance is the go-to town for unusual vintage finds and Cornish crafts.

Explore the wide range of independent shops in St Ives to find unique gifts and festive foods, or simply to take in the season amongst cobbled streets and along the harbour front.

If shopping is only part of your plans, take a look at the wide range of things to do and places to visit this Winter in St Ives.

Cornish Christmas traditions

The Montol Festival in Penzance is a revival of traditional Cornish midwinter celebrations. It’s held every December, with a week of traditional mummers’ plays, guising and other events culminating in the Montol Eve procession on the 21st. Look out for spectral horse Penglaz, the pagan star of Penzance’s midsummer festival, Golowan. You can also catch mummers’ plays in Padstow on Boxing Day and New Year.

Over the last few years, a new Cornish Christmas tradition has developed across the regions beaches: the Christmas dip. Hardy souls plunge into the sea for a Christmas Day swim in Cornwall (they are also held on Boxing Day or New Year’s Day), usually for charity and almost always wearing Santa hats and tinsel. Look out for events at St Ives, Sennen, Penzance, Bude and Newquay.

As ever, the National Trust pulls out all the stops over the festive season, offering some special memories of a Christmas in Cornwall – from Christmassy treats in their tea rooms to the spectacular garland at Cotehele.

Cornish Christmas music and shows

Those haunting first bars of “Once in Royal David’s City” are a sign that Christmas is truly here.

There are carol services across the county in December, with a choice of evocative Christmas events and services in many of the local churches. Beautiful Truro Cathedral also hosts carol services throughout the Christmas period, including the much-loved Nine Lessons services on the 23rd and 24th, as well as Midnight Mass.

If you love a panto (oh yes, you do!), head to the Hall for Cornwall to see Aladdin, or take in a local amdram version in a local village hall for lots of laughs at one of Britain’s best-loved traditions!

Father Christmas in Cornwall

Father Christmas is certainly busy around here this year, and there is a great choice of places to see Santa in Cornwall.

Our favourite place to meet Father Christmas in Cornwall is in our local town, St Ives, where he always arrives by lifeboat. Come down to the Wharf on 5th December to wave him in before heading off to watch the official light switch on!

Old St Nick does love trying out different forms of transport, including the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway. “Santa by Steam” runs every weekend in December – make sure you book in advance. Father Christmas also hops on the train at Lappa Valley, near Newquay.

Santa also tours the Eden Project and the Lost Garden of Heligan, and finally takes the weight off his boots at several National Trust properties across the South West. Join Santa for stories in the drawing room at Trerice, or say “Nadelik Lowenmeet” (Cornish for “Merry Christmas) to the man himself at Trelissick.

Christmas Lights in Cornwall

There is something quite magical about seeing Cornwall’s Christmas lights reflected in the water in pretty harbours, or lighting up the trees in our woodlands.

Mousehole Lights attracts visitors from across the country who come to see the whole village and harbour festooned with lights and to enjoy the party atmosphere in the narrow streets. If you can, visit on 23rd December, which is Tom Bawcock’s Eve, when the village celebrates the heroic fisherman who once saved Mousehole from famine. There is a lantern parade and the famous stargazy pie is served at the local inn.

For a truly magical festival experience, visit Christmas at the Eden Project, where the Biomes come alive with dancing lights and beautiful music. You can make an evening of it and have a go on their ice skating rink (or simply admire others’ skating skills while enjoying a hot chocolate!).

The award-winning Heligan Night Garden in St Austell also provides a stunning display throughout their woodlands and gardens which include larger-than-life wildlife lanterns. Gather round fire pits to toast marshmallows or enjoy a cup of mulled wine to complete the experience.