The best Falmouth events 2023

Whether you’re searching for a Falmouth festival, you want to try some local fare at a food pop-up, or simply fill your time in this harbour towns exploring its rich maritime history, while Cornwall may be known as a somewhat sleepy county, Falmouth’s events take place all year round, from music events, festivals and Cornish celebrations.

Here we round up five of the best Falmouth events to add to your diary.

Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival

16-18 June

If you’re looking for a Cornish inspired event in Falmouth, Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival is just the ticket. Over the weekend, more than 78 local, national and international sea shanty groups will perform in 27 venues, in what has become the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe.

falmouthseashanty.co.uk

Falmouth Week 2023

4-13 August

Falmouth Week is one of the biggest events in Falmouth’s calendar, with its origins as a local sailing regatta dating back to 1837. Nowadays the dedicated week is the chance for sailors and landlubbers a plethora of fun-filled events. Taking place in the heart of Falmouth town on The Moor, you’ll find everything from a 40 foot Victorian carousel, to a market and evening entertainment. Falmouth marching carnival will take place on Saturday 5 August – the parade is a spectacle not to be missed!

falmouthweek.co.uk

Falmouth Tall Ships

15-18 August

This year, Falmouth will once again host the start of the prestigious Tall Ships Race, Magellan Elcano, for the first time in nine years. The Race will start on Friday 18 August, preceded by a Parade of Sail. Visitors will also get chance to board some of the historic tall ships for a self-guided tour as they will be sited within the A&P Falmouth Docks.

seetickets.com

Falmouth Oyster Festival

12-15 October

A showcase for Cornish seafood, Falmouth Oyster Festival is one of Cornwall’s biggest and most-loved specialist food events. Celebrate the native Fal Oyster and diversity of Cornish seafood with four days of feasting. Taking place in October to celebrates the start of the oyster-dredging season, which runs from October to March, Falmouth Oyster Festival highlights the traditional methods of harvesting, using only sail and oar. This year, the festival can be found at The Waterfront location of Church Street.

falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk

Falmouth Book Festival

16-22 October

In its third year, Falmouth Book Festival in association with Falmouth University is back, and you can expect many more literary heroes to grace this Falmouth festival (last year saw the likes of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Raynor Winn and Dame Sheila Hancock). There’s something for everyone to enjoy, from renowned authors in conversation, high-energy poetry readings, children’s events and interactive workshops.

falmouthbookfestival.com