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Here, local writer Natasha Harding and Cornish Secrets chooses some of the best Cornish events not to be missed.
Where? Falmouth’s Event Square and expand to the Princess Pavilion.
When? 9-12 October 2025
Cost: General admission during the day is free, however, after 6 pm, entry to the festival becomes ticketed.
When autumn arrives in Cornwall, so does one of its most celebrated foodie events: the Falmouth Oyster Festival. From Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 October 2025, Falmouth’s harbourside comes alive with freshly shucked oysters, seafood delights, cookery demonstrations, and live music, marking the start of the native oyster dredging season. Celebrating Cornwall’s maritime heritage, the festival showcases the sustainably harvested Fal Oyster, famed for its delicate flavour. Visitors can enjoy market stalls, Cornish ales, crafts, and family activities. With oyster-shucking contests, tastings, and chef showcases, it’s a feast for the senses.
Where? Penlee Park, Morrab Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4HE
When? 19-21 September 2025
Cost: Free
The Penzance Food Festival is a free, three-day celebration of Cornish cuisine, taking place from 19 to 21 September 2025. Attendees can enjoy live cooking demonstrations by top local chefs, a variety of food and drink from over 50 local vendors, wellness activities including yoga and sauna sessions, and live music performances throughout the park. The festival emphasizes sustainability, featuring eco-friendly practices and locally sourced ingredients. It’s an ideal event for food enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking to experience the vibrant culinary culture of Cornwall.
Padstow Harbour at Padstow Christmas Festival ©James Ram
Where? Padstow Harbour and surrounding areas
When? 4-7 December 2025
Cost: Free
Padstow’s much-loved four‑day Christmas Fayre returns (after sadly being cancelled in 2024), running from 4-7 December . The event reimagines the beloved Padstow Christmas Festival with a vibrant blend of festive cheer and Cornish culinary spirit. Set beside Padstow harbour, it features an artisan market brimming with handmade crafts and locally produced food and drink, alongside masterclass chef demonstrations from celebrated names such as Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth.
Family‑friendly activities include a lantern parade, carols, fireworks, and festive entertainment. The harbour atmosphere is brightened with twinkling lights, mulled wine, brass bands, and a warm community spirit reminiscent of a Cornish Christmas hug. With chef showcases, artisan stalls and seasonal conviviality, Padstow offers a magical festive escape by the sea.
These events have been and gone, but are likely to be celebrated again in 2026.
Where? Porthminster Beach, St Ives
When? 16-18 May 2025
Cost: Free
A date for your Cornish culinary calendar has to be St Ives Food & Drink Festival, the UK’s only food festival on the beach happens here in St Ives. Taking place from 16-18 May on St Ives’ Porthminster Beach, 2025 promises a refreshed programme of celebrations for the three-day festival which brings together some of the biggest names in the culinary world. The 2025 festival is set to also introduce much more music with its sunset sessions, and plenty of new additions designed to keep bellies full and the whole family entertained.
Where? Porthleven
When? 2-4 May 2025
Cost: Free
Porthleven Food Festival is one of Cornwall’s biggest foodie events, taking place at Porthleven‘s beautiful Harbour, this annual extravaganza offers up three days of delicious cuisine, chef demos, live music and family entertainment. Presented in partnership with acclaimed chef Jude Kereama, Porthleven Food Festival brings together the best of local food, fringe events and family fun around the picturesque harbour, and there’s no better event to celebrate Cornwall’s culinary greatness.
Each day, you’ll find plenty of top-quality food stalls and restaurants, plus head to the chef’s theatre includes an all-star line-up of British chefs with a focus on local talent and cuisine.
©Jenna Foxton. Falmouth Food Festival 2024
Where? Church Street Car Park, Falmouth
When? 23-26 May 2025
Cost: Free
Celebrate Cornwall’s culinary creativity at the Falmouth Food Festival, returning for its third year over the late May Bank Holiday weekend. Set against the picturesque waterfront at Church Street Car Park, this four-day event showcases the region’s finest food vendors, live music, chef demonstrations, and artisan crafts. Enjoy a diverse array of local delicacies, from freshly caught seafood to gourmet street food, complemented by performances from local musicians and interactive cooking sessions. With free entry and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s a must-visit for food enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.
Where? Falmouth
When? 13 – 15 June 2025
Cost: Admittance is free, but ticket costs apply for the performances
Falmouth is proud of its sea faring heritage and the largest free nautical music and song festival is one of the town’s yearly highlights. It has got bigger and better since it first began in 2003. This year there will be performances from over 70 groups over the three days. Bryher’s Boys, Fisherman’s Friends, Barrett’s Privateers, Femmes De La Mer and Suitcase Singers are some of the artists that will be appearing – with groups coming from across the globe to appear. As well as non-stop parades, music and pop-up bars, there will be an arts and craft market with some of the town’s local traders offering their wares.
Marketed as a ‘voyage of culinary discovery and musical mischief’, the festival looks set to be an action packed weekend, no matter what you’re into. Music fans will be delighted with over 20 live acts appearing. Meanwhile foodies won’t be left wanting due to the cooking demonstrations that are taking place all weekend. The Masterclass Tipi is apparently the place to go if you want to meet your favourite chefs including Nathan Outlaw and Matt Tebbutt. And if it’s pampering and relaxation you’re after, you can book a facial, a hot tub and sauna session or even try a yoga class.
Where? Watergate Bay Hotel, On the Beach, Watergate Bay, TR8 4AA
When? 5 & 6 July 2025
Cost: Free
Cornwall is known as being a creative county and this fairly new event has been designed to cultivate a love of all things crafty. Two days of family fun are on offer with the return of Arts on The Beach being held at the beautiful shoreline at Watergate Bay. As well as a 10am beach clean, there will be a roaming theatre, entertainment from dance troupes and aerial performances, a silent disco and appearances from Eko – a 13 metre tall giant puppet. Over the weekend, children can participate in craft workshops, have the opportunity to help create a community lantern, and try an upcycling workshop. There’s even a chill out tent for those who might need a five minute break. The play zone will have areas for stories, hula hooping and learning traditional skills including wood whittling. If last year’s reviews are anything to go by, it promises to be a superb weekend.
©Jenna Foxton.
Where? Killacourt, Newquay, Cornwall, TR7 1DT
When? 10-13 July 2025
Cost? Free
The inaugural Newquay Food Festival is set to transform Killacourt into a vibrant celebration of Cornwall’s culinary and creative scene. Over four days, attendees can indulge in a diverse array of gourmet street food, fresh seafood, and artisan treats from local producers. The festival features live fire-cooking demonstrations hosted by renowned chef Andi Tuck, offering insights into flame-cooked cuisine. Complementing the food offerings, a dynamic lineup of live music – including acoustic sets and Afro-Caribbean bands – will entertain visitors until 9 PM each evening. With panoramic views over Towan Beach, this family-friendly event promises a feast for the senses in a stunning coastal setting.
Where? The Great Estate, Scorrier House, Scorrier, Redruth, TR16 5AW
When? 30 May –Â 1 June 2025
Cost: From £45
Created as the most ‘rambunctious garden fete’, The Great Estate festival has become one of the county’s most anticipated events. For three days, the grounds will be transformed into a magical wonderland where human flamingos roam wild, Vikings battle, lanterns light up the sky and grounds, and drag queens take centre stage – and that’s just for starters. Circus skill workshops, Madame Wong’s Drag Race, The Great Lantern Parade, Burlesque, Victorian Sports Day and Comedy Hour, are just some of the happenings. You can also book additional experiences – blacksmithing session anyone?
Where? Healey’s Cyder Farm, Penhallow, TR4 9LW
When? 11-13 September 2026
Cost: From £75
Nothing screams Cornwall more than a cold drink of cider while listening to your favourite tunes – in an orchard. Now in its 12th year, the Cider & Music Festival at Healey’s Cyder Farm looks as though it’s going to be better than ever. If dancing is your thing, you’ll enjoy the annual barn dance and silent discos. The Rattler Olympics will be great for those competitive visitors and includes welly wanging, apple bobbing – and the barrel push. For the less energetic, you might prefer to check into the Zen Den or the Water and Stone Wild Spa.
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Rebecca Moore
LOCAL EDITOR AND CORNISH AFICIONADO
Rebecca Moore is a seasoned editor and content writer with over a decade of experience, specialising in Cornwall’s unique lifestyle, travel, and culinary scene. Her expertise has been featured in media outlets such as The Sun, Express, and Cosmopolitan. A proud Cornish resident, Rebecca’s authentic insights help readers explore the best of the Duchy.
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