Christmas in Cornwall 2024

Christmas Shopping in Cornwall

For unique, locally made Christmas presents, try to catch one of Cornwall’s Christmas markets. The market at Truro is on every day from 22 November, up to and including Christmas Eve. There’s a great selection of vendors in Lemon Quay (usually the home of the excellent Cornish farmers’ market), and there are other stalls scattered around the city. Come on a Wednesday in December when Truro holds its late night shopping event. Pick up a warming drink and snack from one of the food stalls, and soak up the celebratory atmosphere.

There are several other Christmas markets across Cornwall, from Falmouth to Fowey, Penryn to Porthleven. As well as these festive events, there are also plenty of lovely places to find original gifts in Cornwall. We love Christmas shopping in our local town, St Ives, and Penzance has some fabulous vintage shops. Head to Falmouth for Cornish art and Padstow for foodie treats.

Christmas Lights in Cornwall

Christmas lights are one of the loveliest things about the festive season. Locals and visitors head for Mousehole, where the harbour and entire village are garlanded with colourful and quirky- and Cornish-themed lights. With live music, street food and late-opening shops, it’s a lovely, lively place to be. In 2024, Mousehole Lights are switched on on 12 December and light up the town every night until 5 January. (On 19 December, all the lights apart from the crosses are switched off at 8pm, in remembrance of the brave crew of the Penlee Lifeboat Solomon Browne, who were all lost on this date in 1981.)

Look out for lights at National Trust Trengwainton Gardens (Penzance) and the Lost Gardens of Heligan. It’s the last chance to walk through the Tunnel of Lights at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum in Charlestown, as the museum is sadly closing its doors soon. The city lights in Truro are always spectacular, and each town and village across Cornwall will be lit up to celebrate the season. We especially love Newlyn and Angarrack (near Hayle).

Christmas Services, Concerts and Shows

Is there anything quite as spine-tingling as that first solo verse of “Once in Royal David’s City”? We always try to go to the famous Nine Lessons and Carols at Truro Cathedral on Christmas Eve. If you’re unable to attend this year, there’s a full programme of other wonderful concerts and services planned at the Cathedral over the Christmas period, and there’ll also be Christmas services held in parish churches across Cornwall. Festive fact: the first ever Nine Lessons was held at Truro Cathedral, devised by the First Bishop of Truro in 1880.

If you love a traditional tune, wrap up warm and go to hear the Pendeen Silver Band’s Christmas Concert at the Minack Theatre on 15 December. We’re excited to see Cornish actor David Mynne perform his solo version of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol on the 20th and 21st December, again in the unique surroundings of the winter Minack.

There are also plenty of pantomimes to choose from (oh yes there are). The biggest is always held at the Hall for Cornwall in Truro and over the last few years it’s starred Cornwall’s own Edward Rowe, aka the Kernow King. For 2024, it’s the much-loved panto, Jack and the Beanstalk. The Regal at Redruth has Elf the Musical and Santa’s Christmas Cracker (for younger kids), followed by Robin Hood in January. There’s Beauty and the Beast at the Lane Theatre in Newquay.

Cornish Christmas Dips

The “Christmas Dip” has become a popular new tradition in Cornwall. Brave (or foolish!) swimmers take the plunge into the freezing Atlantic on Christmas, Boxing or New Year’s Day. Weather and sea conditions permitting, there are usually events at St Ives, Sennen, Penzance, Bude and Newquay, raising money for charity. If you don’t fancy running into the chilly waves, offer to be your team’s support crew, and watch from the beach with a delicious hot chocolate or mulled wine (are you spotting a theme here yet?).

Where to meet Father Christmas in Cornwall 2024

Is there anything quite as Cornish as Father Christmas arriving by boat? Santa always arrives in St Ives by lifeboat to great fanfare. This year, he disembarks on 2nd December, followed by the switch on of the town’s Christmas lights. Crowds line the harbour to welcome the illustrious visitor to St Ives, and the atmosphere is always friendly and fun.

He’s a busy chap, and will also be taking the train this year. Meet Santa on a steam locomotive at Lappa Valley or the Bodmin and Wenford Steam Railway (various dates in December). While he’s in Cornwall, Father Christmas will also be visiting the Eden Project, the Lost Gardens of Heligan, several National Trust properties, Newquay Zoo and Paradise Park in Hayle. You might need to book to meet the Big Man and his elves, so check the websites for dates and details.

Christmas  in Cornwall 2024

Thinking of spending Christmas 2024 in Cornwall? We have a collection of luxury Cornish holiday cottages, from cosy cabins for two to larger properties for your festive family gathering. We still have availability for December 2024, so please get in touch with us today to book your Chrstmas holidays in Cornwall.