Events and Festivals
in Penzance, Cornwall, UK


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Throughout the year, there is a wide range of events and festivals in and around Penzance - the centre of West Cornwall.
Some of the events/dates for 2007 are listed below
March ..  April ..  May ..  June ..  July ..  August ..  September ..  October ..  November ..  December

Date

 

Venue

 

Event

 

Contact

March

         
2 – 4 March   Gwithian beach at Hayle  

Gathering Kite event.
This 3 day event consists of a land board competition on Day 1, a buggy competition on Day 2 and kite surfing on Day 3.

 

Sue Nicholls
Tel: 01736-798090

2 March   Penzance   St Piran's Day
Parade leaving St John’s Hall at 10.30am involving several local groups, including 11 schools. Mousehole Male Voice Choir concert in St John’s Hall at 7pm
   
             

April

         
6 – 9 April   Marazion  

British Funboard Cup.
Annual windsurfing championship event

 

Sue Nicholls
Tel: 01736-798090

9 April   Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 01736-871501
21 April   Penzance   Proclamation Gorseth 2007
The proclamation of the 2007 Gorseth will take place at 11.00am in the forecourt of St John's Hall Penzance.
 

Email: enquiries@gorsethkernow.org.uk

Web: www.gorsethkernow.org.uk

28 April   Camborne   Trevithick Day
Festivities include model exhibitions, street entertainment, a fun fair, the Bal Maidens and Miners Dance led by Camborne Town Band, the parade of miniature engines and, what everyone comes to see, the display of steam engines and the steam parade.
  Tel: 01209-719966
28 - 30 April   Penzance   Earth, Health and Mystic Fayre
St John's Hall. Open from 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Demonstrations and workshops. Music, tarot, palmistry and therapies.
 

Tel:01736-330201

Web: www.mysticfayre.co.uk

29 April - 1 May

  St. Ives  

St Ives May Day
A celebration of spring rooted in the ancient customs of the town, culminating on May Day itself in parades, maypole dancing, the unique Pee Whip(!) and the choosing of the May King and Queen. There’s also a bustling harbour market, live theatre and brass band and choral concerts.

  Tel: 01736-799660
             

May

         
1 May   Padstow   "Obby Oss"
Celebration of the Celtic festival of Beltane - the spring festival dedicated to the return of the Celtic sun god Bel, that causes the crops to grow and the hours of daylight to lengthen. The town is dressed with greenery and flowers are placed around a maypole. The climax arrives when male dancers cavort through the town dressed as one of two 'Obby 'Osses, the "Old" and the "Blue Ribbon" 'Obby 'Osses; as the name suggests, they are stylised kinds of horses.
  Tel: 01841-533449
5 May   Isles of Scilly   World Pilot Gig Championship
Rowing gig racing off St Marys
  Tel: 01720-422536
8 May   Helston   Flora Day
Famous traditional furry dance. Street dances, stalls and entertainment
  Tel: 01326-572063
10 - 19 May   Fowey  

Daphne du Maurier Festival
The annual Festival of Arts, Music & Literature dedicated to the much loved author is planning some very special events to coincide with what would have been du Maurier's 100th birthday.

 

Tel: 01726-833616

Web: www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk

20 May   Marazion   SW Triathlon
Middle Distance - Swim 1900m, Bike 84km, Run 20km
 

Web: www.hayletri.co.uk

Email secretary@hayletri.co.uk

26 May - 10 June   Falmouth   Fal River Festival
 

Tel: 01326-211522

Web: www.falriverfestival.co.uk

28 May   Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 01736-871501
             

June

         
             
10 -11 June   Sennen   Ripcurl Gromsearch
Ripcurl will be hosting more events this summer, the first being held at Sennen beach.  Each Gromsearch event is designed with a unique flavour to be "more than your average surf contest" with something for everyone.  A unique double elimination format giving first-time competitors the chance to compete at least twice.  Professional coaching tips, give-aways, plus prizes and music. 
  Web: www.ripcurl.com
15 - 24 June   Penzance   Golowan Festival
Golowan (the feast of St. John) combines the local and the global with a heady mix of Cornish and world music, dance, film and literature.
 

Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 334675

Web: www.golowan.org/

23 June   Penzance   Mazey Day
Festival, Parades & Street Market in Penzance. The town is transformed with greenery, banners, street theatre and processions of giant imagery.
 

Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 334675

Web: www.golowan.org/

24 June   Penzance   Quay Fair Day
Penzance Harbour. Traditional and working boats, market stalls, street acts and final last night marquee dance.
 

Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 334675

Web: www.golowan.org/

             

July

         
             
8 July   St Ives   St Ives Biathlon
St Ives' well known Surf Lifesaving Biathlon attracts an increasing number of international athletes (as well as local people) who take part in a running race from St Ives, along the coastal path to Carbis Bay and then a sea swim from Carbis Bay to St Ives. 
  Sharon Cox
Tel: 01736 795024
8 July   Hayle   SW Triathlon
Swim, bike and running race. Swim 1500m, Bike 40km, Run 10km
 

Web: www.hayletri.co.uk

Email secretary@hayletri.co.uk

11 July   Helston   RNAS Helston Air Day
Aircraft and flying displays
  Tel: 0871-780-1070
14 - 16 July   Mousehole  

Sea Salts & Sail Festival
Biennial festival revives old traditions and celebrates the heritage of Penwith’s most justly famous fishing village. Traditional sailing craft jostle in the harbour while demonstrations of pot making, rope splicing and cookery take place on the quays.

 

Tel: 01736-731655

Web: www.seasalts.co.uk

14 - 21 July   St Just   Lafrowda Festival
Festival of music, dance, theatre, and arts displaying the talents of West Cornwall
 

Tel: 01736 788906

Web: www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk/

16 July   Stithians   Stithians Show
The largest one-day agricultural show in Cornwall
  Tel: 01209-861073
21 July   St Just   Lafrowda Day
Join the people of St Just in Penwith between 11.00 am and midnight for this unique community celebration, where Cornish traditions and modern creativity fuse to provide the high spot of the week-long Lafrowda Festival. With thirteen hours of free entertainment, music to suit every taste, and huge animated sculptures stalking through the town, there’s fun for all the family. All this and street theatre, children’s activities, stalls, refreshments and free parking. Detailed plans for 2006 - the tenth Lafrowda Day are under wraps, but this year’s theme will be announced shortly.
 

Tel: 01736 788906

Web: www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk/

26 July   Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End and every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 26th July to 30th August. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 01736-871501
             
30 July - 6 August   Hayle   Hayle Fest
A long established festival which brings together the diverse community of this lively town. this event brings local community groups together in a week long celebration. Events include a Children’s Day, the Rose and Cabbage Show, a community market, Lion’s Fun Day, St Julia’s Hospice Day, a parade through the town and of course brass band concerts featuring Heyl Band and guests Mount Charles , St Austell and St Stithians
 

Tel: 01736-754804

Web: www.hayletownband.co.uk

             

August

         
             
throughout
August  
  Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End and every Tuesday and Thursday evening until 30th August. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 01736-871501
1 - 17 August   St Just   Cape Cornwall Arts and Crafts Exhibition
Large exhibition of local crafts, paintings etc. Opportunity to buy locally produced goods. 20% of the proceeds go towards Cancer Research.
  Tel: 01736-788840
3 - 5 August   Mousehole   Mousehole Carnival
  Tel: 01736-731823
5 August   Hayle   Hayle Triathlon
Sprint swim, bike and running race. Swim 750m, Bike 22.5km, Run 5 km
 

Web: www.hayletri.co.uk

Email secretary@hayletri.co.uk

7 August   Morvah   Morvah Pasty Day
Sideshows, live local bands, pasties and refreshments in the Church. Free entry and free parking in the field.
  Tel: 01736-787808
11 - 17 August   Falmouth   Henry Lloyd Falmouth Week
Sailing regarra and numerous marine events in, and arounbd, the River Fal
 

Tel: 01326-312300

Web: www.falmouthweek.co.uk

5 - 6 August   Penzance   Earth, Health and Mystic Fayre
St John's Hall. Open from 10.00am - 5.00pm.
Demonstrations and workshops. Music, tarot, palmistry and therapies. £2.00 admission, free programme.
 

Tel: 01736-330201

Web: www.mysticfayre.co.uk

19 – 25 August   Fowey   Fowey Regatta Week
Daily sailing races and a number of other themed events mixed into the week including a midweek Carnival, Red Arrows display and ending with a spectacular Firework display over the harbour.
 

Tel: 01726-833616

Web: www.rfyc-fowey.org.uk

27 August   Newlyn  

Newlyn Fish Festival
Newlyn Harbour. A festival to celebrate Newlyn as a major fishing port. The fish market is filled with stalls, cookery demonstrations, exhibitions, music, street entertainment and displays about the fishing industry past and present.

 

Tel: 01736 336335

Web: www.newlyn.info

             

September

         
             
September
(dates t.b.a.)
  Gwithian, Hayle   No Pro Surf Classic
An event for surfers who are not yet sponsored. The event is held at Gwithian although in extreme conditions it can be moved to a more sheltered beach. It provides a showcase for up and coming and undiscovered sportsmen. The contest is open to anyone who matches the non-sponsored requirements from anywhere in the UK.
  Tyson Greenaway
Tel: 01736-755493
1 - 2 September   Penzance   Open Gorseth Kernow 2007
Celtic ceremonial admitting new Bards, together with procession and other ceremonies, dance and displays.
 

Email: enquiries@gorsethkernow.org.uk

Web: www.gorsethkernow.org.uk
Web: www.penzance2007.btik.com

8 - 9 September   St Ives   Senior National Life Saving Competition
St Ives Surf Life Saving Club are hosting the Senior National Surf Life Saving Competition on Porthmeor Beach, St Ives. There will be around 300 competitors from right across Britain taking part.
  Sharon Cox
Tel: 01736-795024
8 - 22 September   St Ives   St Ives September Festival
St Ives hosts a major two week Festival of Music and the Arts with a wide variety of events including roots/jazz/blues, classical, theatre, films, poetry and literature, and open studios at venues throughout the town.
 

Tel: 01736 366077

Web: www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk

             

October

         
             
October
(dates t.b.a.)
  Gwithian, Hayle   British Land Speedsailing Championships (Triple Crown Event) at Gwithian, Hayle
This increasingly popular sport, similar to windsurfing on wheels, takes places on this magnificent beach with competitors coming from as far afield as France, Belgium etc. 
 

Graham Bobin
Tel: 01736 332648.

26 - 27 October
  St Just   St Just Feast
various activities taking place in St Just.
  Elaine George
Tel: 01736-788412
27 - 28 October   Penzance   Faery, Angel & Healing Fayre
St Johns Hall, Penzance. There will be 50+ exhibitors including healers, therapists, tarot readers, angel and fairy readings and products, crafts and gifts, plus live music, talks and workshops, plus angel and fairy cakes
 

Tel: 01736-330201

Web: www.mysticfayre.co.uk

             

November

         
             
November
(dates t.b.a.)
  Gwithian, Hayle   European Blokart Championships.
These mini-land yachts race a very technical course, with between 40–60 competitors taking part from around the world.
  Graham Bobin
Tel: 01736-332648
             

December

         
6, 13, 20 December   Penzance   Late Night Shopping nights
For all those Christmas presents you have forgotten!!
  Chamber of Commerce
Tel: 01736-793811
December to early-January
  Penzance   Town Centre illuminations    
14 December
(t.b.c) to early-January
  Newlyn   Christmas Harbour Lights    
15 December
to early-January
  Mousehole   Christmas Harbour Lights   Web: www.mouseholelights.com
             
23 December   Mousehole  

Tom Bawcock’s Eve
Fishing heritage celebration with Starry Gazey Pie

   

For more information, dates, etc. on any of the above events, please contact Penzance Tourist Information Centre on 01736-362207 or the Tourism Office at Penwith District Council on 01736-362431.

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