We’ve pulled together some of the Cornwall’s most memorable festivals, most within a short drive of the Woodland Collection.
Soak in the unique local culture and heritage at these Cornish festivals and experience Cornwall’s thriving food scene.
St. Piran’s Day
5th March every year.
St. Piran was the patron saint of tin miners, and Cornwall. Originally starting as a day holiday for tin miners hundreds of years ago, the day has come to represent a day to celebrate Cornish heritage and all things Cornwall. All over Cornwall, towns and villages celebrate in different ways, with parades, displays, competitions and more.
There are large parades and events in the bigger towns such as Redruth, Penzance and Helston, but the day is celebrated all over Cornwall.
Trevithick Day
26 April 2025.
Trevithick Day takes place in Camborne every year to celebrate Richard Trevithick, the inventor who constructed the world’s first steam engine in Camborne over 250 years ago. Throughout the day there are a steam engine parade, local musical performances, entertainers, street stalls, dances led by the town band, and much more.
https://www.trevithickday.org.uk
Porthleven Food Festival
Every year at the end of April – early May.
2nd – 4th May 2025
Porthleven Food Festival is an annual three-day food festival that is a firm fixture on the Cornwall food scene map. Thousands descend on the quaint seaside village of Porthleven to experience the entertainment, demos, live music and activities. The whole town is taken over by the festival so make sure to book a table at a restaurant if you want to stay for dinner.
https://www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com
St. Ives Food Festival
16th – 18th May 2025
The three-day festival takes place on Porthminster beach in May, with live music, family friendly activities and Chef demonstrations. The daytime activities are usually free, while some of the evening events require a ticket. All of this takes place against the stunning backdrop of St. Ives on the award-winning Porthminster beach.
https://stivesfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk/
Flora Day – Helston
Usually 8th May every year
Flora Day is a unique festival, which celebrates the end of winter. The whole town takes part with shops and houses decorated with flowers and greenery. Throughout the day there are a number of dances through town led by the town brass band. Thousands of people, participants and visitors alike, cram into the streets of Helston to experience one of the most distinct festivals there is.
https://helstonfloraday.org.uk
Golowan Festival – Penzance
20th – 29th June 2025
Golowan is a ten-day festival in celebrating midsummer. It is widely celebrated in West Cornwall, but in particular in Penzance where the festival is celebrated with a string of events, performances, parades and exhibits.
Balloons & Tunes – Cornwall – Saturday
4th – 6th July 2025
A new festival is coming to Cornwall in 2025, Balloons and Tunes will be taking place for the first time in Fraddon this July, following successes elsewhere in the country. The highlight is a host of illuminated hot air balloons taking to the skies each evening. There is plenty more to do during the day with musical tribute acts, giant funfair, children’s stage and animals shows
https://balloonsandtunesuk.com/events/cornwall-balloons-tunes/
Falmouth Week
8th – 17th August 2025
Falmouth Week started as a sailing regatta, where local clubs and some from further afield race in Falmouth Harbour. It has now become one of the largest festivals in Cornwall, regularly attracting up to 90,000 people. There are a full program of events both on and offshore, with music and entertainment, fancy dress parades, and workshops. The event culminates with a free firework display and an air show featuring the red arrows.
St. Ives Festival
Every year in September
13th – 27th September 2025
The St. Ives September festival is a two-week festival celebrating music and the arts. Events happen all over St. Ives, with music performances, workshops, talks, exhibitions and so much more. The town’s unique place in the art world alongside its stunning location make this a great festival to attend, and because it’s spread out over two weeks, it isn’t quite so busy as some of the others.
https://www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk/
Other things to mention
Cornwall also has a thriving music festival scene, with nationally recognised events such as Boardmasters near Newquay (6th – 10th August 2025), Tunes in the Dunes in Perranporth (6th – 8th June 2025), Port Elliot festival (21st – 24th August 2025) and Eden Sessions near St. Austell (Various dates June – July 2025). These festivals all attract household names to Cornwall and can be much more intimate than some of the larger, more well known festivals.
There are loads of events that happen in the build up to Christmas and throughout winter, from ice skating at the Eden Project, to the magical lights display at the Lost Gardens of Heligan. We’ve also written a guide to some of the best village Christmas lights displays in Cornwall, a unique local custom.
