Festivals & Events in Cornwall
Depending on the time of year of your visit, there are festivals and events which are definitely worth a visit, in June there’s the two day Golowan Festival in Penzance; August is busy with Newquay’s Boardmasters – a local music and surfing festival, and at the end of the month there’s the Newlyn’s Fish Festival; then later in the year, in October, there’s the Falmouth Oyster Festival – a must for seafood lovers.
Here are a few of our selections a little in advance so you have a chance to make arrangements. For those that enjoy their food (who doen't) then you must go to the St Ives Feast. If it is flowers and gardening that you enjoy head to Falmouth for the Falmouth Spring Flower Festival; later that month St Endellion, Port Isaac celebrate Easter. Finally at the end of April the beautiful fishing village of Porthleven celbrates their food festival.
The beaches are empty in winter...well there are still the surfers and kite surfers that enjoy the great outdoors in all weathers. You cannot beat taking a brisk walk on an empty beach and then enjoying a hot chocolate or something stronger in a beach cafe. The Watering Hole at Perranporth has a great beach vibe and the Blue Bar at Porthtowan Beach is where all the cool surfers hang out! Both are well worth a visit.
So whatever you’re choice of holiday and if you like beaches at anytime of year then we believe you will experience it at Lanyon Manor the perfect Christmas holiday destination.
In the late 1800s, Golowan was one of the last surviving midsummer festivals practiced in Cornwall. Traditionally, blazing tar barrels were paraded around the town’s streets and bonfires were lit on the surrounding hills which could be seen all around Mounts Bay and beyond. In the 1890s the authorities in Penzance outlawed the festival due to the increasing fire risk and the centuries’ old festival died out. Revived in 1991, The Golowan Festival has today become the most colourful community festival in the South West, blending Cornish tradition with contemporary imagery and ritual.
The festival brings the past and present together in a community celebration of the traditional midsummer Feast of St. John. The ten day festival attracts hundreds of local, national and international artists in a celebration of music and the performing arts along with plenty of entertaining events for the whole family.
For more information visit the website: www.golowan.org
Rock Oyster Festival is one of the leading artisan food festivals in Cornwall and takes place at the stunning venue of 17th century Dinham House overlooking the Camel Estuary near Wadebridge. A mid-summer celebration of food, music and art. You will be able to eat your way through thousands of Cornish oysters - highlighting the county’s rich seafood traditions. As well as the ever-present oysters there’s live music, circus acts, endless kids’ entertainment, alternative performing arts and a shopping bazaar.
Running over the weekend there’s a fantastic range of family entertainment as well as some of the best local producers showcasing delights from shellfish to steaks and everything in between. So, even if you aren’t a confirmed oyster lover, you can give them a go or opt for something else equally delicious. The festival also includes cookery demos from local chefs and there’s the hotly-anticipated oyster shucking (shell opening) competition. Live music ranges from gypsy folk to reggae and to get that longed-for Cornish laid back feel, there’s plenty of camping space on site.
For more information visit the website: www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk
For all those sailing enthusiasts 2012 will see the return of the prestigious Pendennis Cup, run by local superyacht yard Pendennis every 2 years. There is 4 days of competitive racing for magnificent superyachts out on the waters of Falmouth Bay.
Each morning, up to 14 yachts get ready to race in Falmouth Bay. The 2012 fleet classic and modern sailing yachts totalling a remarkable 450m in length overall. The largest yacht is Athos which, at 62m, will be an exciting challenger to last year's Cup winner Adela (55.5m).
The four days of racing are organised by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, with the daily battles taking place against the beautiful backdrop of the coastline surrounding the area running from Gull Rock situated off the Roseland Peninsula in the North to the Manacles which are located by the Lizard Peninsula further south. The entrance to the harbour overlooked by the castles of Pendennis and St Mawes will provide a striking finish line for each race.
For more information visit the website: www.thependenniscup.co.uk
Cornwall’s only surf, skate and music festival takes place at two locations. Newquay’s famous Fistral Beach is the main hive and focal point of the Relentless Energy Drink Boardmasters which sees all the action including the surf, skate and BMX competitions and Watergate Bay is home to the music festival.
The beachfront at Fistral is transformed into an entertainment hub with activities including surfing, featuring the Men’s Pro 6 star WQS surfing competition, men’s 3 star and women’s 6 star longboarding competition along with the Vans Summer Session Vert skate and BMX mini ramp competitions. The music festival at Watergate Bay has seven stages and in the past has played host to bands such as Leftfield, Plan B, Example, Cypress Hill, Fatboy Slim, Groove Armada and The Streets.
If you enjoy a party but are respoonsible and care about the environment then this is how you can have fun and help at the same time. Surfers Against Sewage, SAS, are partnering with Relentless and Vans (festival sponsors) to offer a Beach Clean every morning. If you are one of the first enthusiastic ten to sign up at the Sports Vision office every morning you will receive a special Vans Beach Clean Up pack.
