There are a wealth of events that take place across Cornwall annually.Below you will find a list of some of the main events taking place in 2012.
APRIL 2012
Art in the City
Truro’s annual visual arts festival: a full programme of workshops, lectures,
an Art Car boot – and BIG Art, where artists create a masterpiece in just one day
on the theme of ‘My Truro’.
Dates: 2 Apr 2012 To 14 Apr 2012
Porthleven Food & Music Festival
Porthleven, Helston
Antony Worrall Thompson is patron of this very popular, free family festival.
“Fit for Food” is the theme for 2012 taking inspiration from the Olympics, fitness,
healthy eating and encouraging everyone to grow their own.
Dates: 21 Apr 2012 To 21 Apr 2012
St Agnes Bolster Festival
A celebration of Cornish music and art featuring life size puppets, a drum band
and a 28ft giant effigy re-enacting the famous Cornish legend of the giant called
Bolster.
Dates: 27 Apr 2012 To 30 Apr 2012
May 2012
Cornwall International Male Voice Choral Festival
Truro
The Festival is a celebration of male voice singing of different genres and styles.
Regional Gala Concerts will be held in most major towns across Cornwall. International
Gala Concerts will be held in Truro.
Dates: 1 May 2013 To 6 May 2013
Padstow May Day
Padstow
The origins of this traditional celebration are lost in the midst of time but
it is thought to celebrate the arrival of Spring and it may even be an ancient fertility
festival.
Dates: 1 May 2012 To 1 May 2012
Our Sporting Life – Sail for Gold exhibition at the Maritime Museum
Falmouth
National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Carrick Discover how Great Britain cemented
its place as the world’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sailing nation.
Dates: 2 May 2012 To 24 Jun 2012
St Ives Literature Festival
St Ives
9 days of literature in St Ives: book launches, poetry readings, workshops and
open air events. This year it includes Robin Williamson, readings by Andy Brown
and Luke Kennard and a workshop with the childrens’ author Liz Kessler.
Dates: 5 May 2012 To 12 May 2012
Helston Flora Day
Helston
Helston is decorated in greenery, flowers and flags as the five Furry dances
for which Flora Day is famous wind in and out the houses led by the town band. The
Morning Dance sets out at 7am and the final Evening Dance starts at 5pm.
Dates: 8 May 2012 To 8 May 2012
St Ives Literature Festival
St Ives
9 days of literature in St Ives: book launches, poetry readings, workshops and
open air events. This year it includes Robin Williamson, readings by Andy Brown
and Luke Kennard and a workshop with the childrens’ author Liz Kessler.
Dates: 5 May 2012 To 12 May 2012
The du Maurier Festival 2012
10 days of entertainment with Star Names, Talks, Walks, Theatre and Concerts
celebrating the town’s most famous literary resident, author Daphne Du Maurier.
The Festival attracts the great & the good from the world of literature and
entertainment.
Dates: 9 May 2012 To 20 May 2012
Olympus the Musical – A race against time
Porthcurno – Minack Theatre
A musical celebrating the London Olympics, performed at the stunning location
of the Minack Theatre in West Cornwall.
Dates: 17 May 2012 To 19 May 2012
Museums at Night
Various Museums across Cornwall
Annual weekend of late (or early!) openings at museums, galleries and heritage
sites.
Dates: 18 May 2012 To 20 May 2012
Olympic Torch Relay
Land’s End
The Olympic Torch Relay will start its tour of the UK at Land’s End on 19th May
2011. The Flame will then visit locations across Cornwall before reaching Plymouth
in the evening. Cornwall will be celebrating this historic occasion.
Dates: 19 May 2012 To 19 May 2012
Pilot Cutter World Championships 2012
St Mawes
A spectacular gathering of Pilot Cutters. Evocative scenes from the past and
duelling bowsprits – a photographers delight.
Dates: 24 May 2012 To 27 May 2012
St Ives Food & Drink Festival
St Ives
A celebration of Cornish food & drink. Taste, try, meet, buy – enjoy the
finest flavours and tastes that Cornwall has to offer, see some of the best chefs
in the county giving cooking demonstrations.
Dates: 21 May 2012 To 28 May 2012
JUNE 2012
Greenbank Fal River Festival
Falmouth, Truro, Roseland
Celebrating life on the river Fal, this 10-day festival encompasses over 150
events which range from music and drama, the arts and heritage to rowing races,
triathlons and wildlife walks.
Dates: 1 Jun 2012 To 10 Jun 2012
Run to the Sun Festival
Run to the Sun has grown into one of the largest custom car, VW and dance festivals
in Europe.
Dates: 1 Jun 2012 To 4 Jun 2012
Royal Cornwall Show
A top agricultural show, the Royal Cornwall Show is the county’s biggest annual
event and is full of exhibits and activities which offer so much in the way of entertainment,
competition, information, shopping and all that’s best in food and farming.
Dates: 7 Jun 2012 To 9 Jun 2012
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Falmouth
Shanty Singing will take place at venues across Falmouth including Custom House
Quay and Events Square with live performances by dozens of groups from all over
Cornwall, the UK, Holland and France.
Dates: 15 Jun 2012 To 17 Jun 2012
Golowan Festival
Penzance
The Golowan Festival has become the most colourful community festival in the
South West, blending Cornish tradition with contemporary imagery and ritual.
Dates: 16 Jun 2012 To 24 Jun 2012
Rock Oyster Festival
Located at the stunning venue of Dinham House, near Wadebridge, Rock Oyster Festival
is one of the leading artisan food festivals in Cornwall.
Dates: 22 Jun 2012 To 24 Jun 2012
Round Britain 2012
Falmouth
The biggest multi-faceted event to have been staged in Britain – 50 powerboats,
50 cars and 50 aircraft will visit Falmouth, providing a thrilling spectacle.
Dates: 21 Jun 2012 To 22 Jun 2012
JULY 2012
Cornish Cricket Festival 2012
Top cricket returns to Truro, with an England Women’s One Day International against
India, and a Men’s Twenty match between Somerset and Cornwall. There will be a host
of family activities in a highly exciting week!
Dates: 8 Jul 2012 To 8 Jul 2012
Stithians Agricultural Show
Stithians
Cornwall’s biggest one day agricultural show provides a full day out for the
whole family.
Dates: 16 Jul 2012 To 16 Jul 2012
UK Surf Rowers League Summer Series: Round 3 at Extreme Academy
Watergate Bay, Newquay
Surfboat racing at one of the country’s best surfing beaches.
Dates: 14 Jul 2012 To 14 Jul 2012
Padstow Carnival Week
Padstow celebrate carnival week in style with activities, quiz, music and more.
Fun for all!
Dates: 30 Jul 2012 To 5 Aug 2012
AUGUST 2012
Henri Lloyd Falmouth Week
Falmouth
Internationally recognised sailing regatta complemented by lively shoreside entertainment
with the Red Arrows, fireworks and children’s activities.
Dates: 11 Aug 2012 To 19 Aug 2012
Boardmasters
Cornwall’s only surf, skate and music festival takes place at Fistral Beach and
Watergate Bay in Newquay.
Dates: 8 Aug 2012 To 12 Aug 2012
West Of England Steam Rally
Stithians
The largest steam rally in the South West, held annually at the Stithians Showground.
Dates: 17 Aug 2012 To 19 Aug 2012
Cornwall Design Fair at Trereife in association with Hidden Art
Newlyn, Penzance
A chance to see the best of Cornwall’s designer-makers in the surrounds of the
beautiful and historic grounds of Trereife.
Dates: 17 Aug 2012 To 19 Aug 2012
Party in the Park at Trereife
Newlyn, Penzance
The best of local bands all under one roof in the beautiful grounds of Trereife
House. 2pm to midnight.
Dates: 26 Aug 2012 To 26 Aug 2012
Newlyn Fish Festival
Newlyn, Penzance
The biggest celebration of the sea, seafood & fishing in the country.
Dates: 27 Aug 2012 To 27 Aug 2012
SEPTEMBER 2012
World Bellyboarding Championships
A very simple, back-to-basics comp – no wetsuits, no leashes and no swim fins.
A bit of wood and a swimsuit is all you need, you don’t even need to bring money
as the entry fee is free!
Dates: 2 Sep 2012 To 2 Sep 2012
Polo On The Beach
As the first autumn swells begin to pound the beach, surfers will give way to
ponies for the 6th edition of Polo on the Beach – an exhibition match between two
teams of top international players. Free to attend.
Dates: 11 Sep 2012 To 11 Sep 2012
Newquay Fish Festival
Practical cookery demos by local chefs are a highlight of this festival, which
is set in Newquay’s harbour.
Dates: 14 Sep 2012 To 16 Sep 2012
Newquay GP (Zapcats)
If you like motor sport: this is F1 on the water! Fantastic facilities available
at Fistral with bar and café overlooking the racing. Not to be missed!
Dates: 28 Sep 2012 To 29 Sep 2012
OCTOBER 2012
Falmouth Oyster Festival
Falmouth
Timed to coincide with the start of the oyster harvesting season, the Falmouth
Oyster Festival celebrates the quality of Cornish seafood, with cookery demos, oyster
and seafood bars, fantastic music line up and more.
Dates: 11 Oct 2012 To 14 Oct 2012
Fal River Autumn Walking Festival
Falmouth
Explore areas around the Fal in a range of guided and self-guided walks for all
abilities, linking in with local ferries, pubs, attractions and gardens.
Dates: 19 Oct 2012 To 4 Nov 2012
Eden Project – Ice Skating and A Time of Gifts
Don’t miss Eden’s spectacular winter festival which includes skating, lantern
processions, festive treats from the bakery and Christmas carols sung by Cornish
choirs.
Dates: 22 Oct 2011 To 26 Feb 2012
November 2012
Truro City of Lights
Giant lanterns made from withy and tissues are paraded through Truro’s streets,
creating a magical festive atmosphere.
Dates: 21 Nov 2012 To 21 Nov 2012
Trereife Christmas Gift Fair
Newlyn, Penzance
Enjoy entertainment, choirs and bands as well as a fantastic evening shopping
opportunity and great food in the magical atmosphere of Trereife House.
Dates: 23 Nov 2012 To 25 Nov 2012
December 2012
Padstow Christmas Festival
See Padstow come alive with celebrity chefs, culinary delights and festive fun.
Dates: 7 Dec 2012 To 9 Dec 2012
Mousehole Christmas Lights
Mousehole, Penzance
The Christmas lights in Mousehole are a stunning sight each year, with floating
displays of lights in the harbour and around the streets.
Dates: 15 Dec 2012 To 4 Jan 2013
There couldn’t be a better base for a valentine break in Cornwall on the Cornwall Estate, with the Hotel, restaurants, and the Clearing Spa there for you to enjoy.
