![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
| 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 2008 are listed below |
||
| March .. April .. May .. June .. July .. August .. September .. October .. November .. December | ||
Date |
Venue |
Event |
Contact |
|||
February |
||||||
| 24 February | St Ives | Gwithian Academy of Surfing Junior Surf event for Under 16s and Under 18s at Porthmeor beach in St Ives. |
Tyson Greenaway Tel: 01736-755493 |
|||
| 29 February |
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 |
||||
March |
||||||
| 5 March | Newlyn | St Piran's Day An informal evening of entertainment food and drink, with music & entertainment at the Tolcarne Inn at 8pm |
Simon Reed Tel: 01736-351923 |
|||
| 21-24 March | Marazion | British Funboard Cup |
Sue Nicholls Tel: 01736-798090 |
|||
April |
||||||
| 26 April | Camborne | Trevithick Day Celebrating the life of Richard Trevithick, 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 | |||
| 26 – 27 April | Gwithian | British Canoe Union Surf Competition Surf competition at Gwithian (1st event) N.B. Event will run on 24 – 25 May if poor weather prevents first attempt |
||||
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 | |||
| 3 - 4 May | Penzance | Beltane 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 |
|||
| 2 - 5 May | Isles of Scilly | World Pilot Gig Championship Rowing gig racing off St Marys |
Tel: 01720-422536 | |||
| 4 May | Newlyn and Penzance | May Horns A celebration of the traditions of May Day in Penzance. At 8.00pm on Newlyn Green (Newlyn fisherman's memorial), the Mayers party will proceed from the memorial across the green and towards Penzance led by local musicians and the Montol festivals Turkey Rhubarb band. A master of ceremonies, the Lord and Lady of the May and the May Green Man will lead this informal assembly winding its way through the back streets of Penzance heading towards Chapel Street in the centre of the historic borough. |
Simon Reed Tel: 01736-351923 Web: www.penzancemayhorns.co.uk |
|||
| 5 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 | |||
| 8 May | Helston | Flora Day Famous traditional "furry" dance. Street dances, stalls and entertainment |
Tel: 01326-572063 | |||
| 8 - 17 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 |
|||
| 10 - 11 May | Godrevy (Gwithian) | Surf Kayak Competition held on Godrevy beach |
Sue Nicholls Tel: 01736-798090 |
|||
| 17 – 18 May | Gwithian | Royal Navy Surf Association Event 1st Beginners Weekend at Gwithian |
||||
| 18 May | Marazion | SW Triathlon Middle Distance - Swim 1900m, Bike 84km, Run 20km |
Web: www.hayletri.co.uk Email secretary@hayletri.co.uk |
|||
| 24 May - 8 June | Falmouth | Fal River Festival |
Tel: 01326-211522 Web: www.falriverfestival.co.uk |
|||
| 31 May - 1 June | Gwithian | Royal Navy Surf Association Event 2nd Beginners Weekend at Gwithian |
||||
June |
||||||
| 1 June | St Ives | St. Ives Triathlon Organised for the second year by the people from votwo.co.uk. The small seaside town of St. Ives has been famous for its run then swim biathlon for years, so this will be a different experience in an already busy calendar in 2008. It’s a Standard distance triathlon of a 1500m sea swim, 25 mile cycle and 10km run to finish. |
Votwo Events, Camborne Web: www.votwo.co.uk |
|||
| 14 – 15 June | Gwithian | British Canoe Union Surf Competition Surf competition at Gwithian (2nd event) N.B. Event will run on 21 – 22 June if poor weather prevents first attempt |
||||
| 22 June | Godrevy | Midsummer Swellboard Classic Event held on Godrevy beach in conjunction with the National Trust. |
||||
| 22 - 29 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 |
|||
| 27 June | Penzance | Mock Mayor's Election and Summer Fire Chaotic election of Golowan 2008's Mock Mayor of the Quay followed by a magnificent fireworks display above the Jubilee Pool. |
Golowan Office Tel: 01736-334675 Web: www.golowan.org |
|||
| 28 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 |
|||
| 29 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 |
|||
| 28 - 29 June | Gwithian | Royal Navy Surf Association Event 3rd Beginners Weekend at Gwithian |
||||
| 28- 29 Jun (t.b.c.) |
Hayle | Royal Navy Invitation Longboard Championship Following the successful events in 2006 & 2007 the Royal Navy are bringing their Longboard Championship event back to Gwithian beach at Hayle again this year |
Sue Nicholls Tel: 01736-798090 |
|||
| Date to be confirmed | 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 |
|||
July |
||||||
| 4 - 6 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 |
|||
| 6 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 - 19 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 |
|||
| 14 July | Stithians, nr Helston | Stithians Show The largest one-day agricultural show in Cornwall |
Tel: 01209-861073 | |||
| 19 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. |
Tel: 01736 788906 Web: www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk |
|||
| 30 July | Helston | RNAS Helston Air Day Aircraft and flying displays. Airday is the only chance that non-military personnel can come inside the gates of Culdrose and see what a Naval Air Base is really like. The public will be able to meet those who have served on frontline Squadrons, supporting the Royal Navy all over the world |
Tel: 0871-780-1070 | |||
August |
||||||
| 3 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 |
|||
| 5 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 | |||
| 6 - 22 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 | |||
| 9 - 16 August | Falmouth | Henry Lloyd Falmouth Week Sailing regatta and numerous marine events in, and around, the River Fal |
Tel: 01326-312300 Web: www.falmouthweek.co.uk |
|||
| 10 - 15 August | Penzance | Laser Dinghy UK National Championships Penzance Sailing Club. Approximately 80 of these two man boats will take part in this event in and around Penzance Harbour area. |
Terry Marks Tel: 01736-364989 |
|||
| 15 - 18 August | Mousehole | Mousehole Carnival |
Tel: 01736-732532 | |||
| 17– 23 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 |
|||
| 25 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.newlynfishfestival.org.uk |
|||
September |
||||||
| 6 - 20 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 |
|||
| 13 - 14 September | Gwithian | Royal Navy Surf Association Event 4th Beginners Weekend at Gwithian |
||||
| 13 – 14 September (t.b.c.) | Gwithian | The Sunset Surf Longboard Classic Event on Gwithian beach. |
Sunset Surf Cafe Tel: 01736-752575 |
|||
| 20 - 21 September | 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 |
|||
October |
||||||
| 26 - 27 October (t.b.c.) |
St Just | St Just Feast Various activities taking place in St Just. |
Elaine George Tel: 01736-788412 |
|||
| 25 - 26 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 |
|||
| October/Nov (t.b.c.) | Gwithian, Hayle | European Speedsail Championships (Triple Crown Event) 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 |
|||
November |
||||||
| 9 November | Marazion | St Michael's Mount Remembrance Run At Marazion, organised by Mounts Bay Harriers, starting at 10.02am (2 minutes silence beforehand) a 4.2 mile or so (depending on the tide) beach run on sand etc, including a river crossing finishing in front of St Michael's Mount. Registration at 9.00am in The Lounge, The Godolphin Arms, West End, Marazion. SOMETHING RED MUST BE WORN! Closing date for postal entries 2 November 2008. |
Email: info@mountsbayharriers.org.uk or Web: www.mountsbayharriers.co.uk |
|||
December |
||||||
| 4, 11, 18 December | Penzance | Late Night Shopping nights For all those Christmas presents you have forgotten!! |
Penzance Chamber of Commerce Tel: 01736-762888 |
|||
| December to early-January | Penzance | Town Centre illuminations | ||||
| 14 - 21 December |
Penzance | Montol Festival Mid-winter solstice festival, with music, parades, street markets |
Simon Reed Tel: 01736-351923 Web: www.montol.co.uk |
|||
| 12 December to early-January |
Newlyn | Christmas Harbour Lights Illuminations around the harbour |
||||
| 13 December to early-January |
Mousehole | Christmas Harbour Lights Illuminations around the harbour and village |
Web: www.mouseholelights.com | |||
| 23 December | Mousehole | Tom Bawcocks 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.
Design by Bocaina Business Services, Penzance, Cornwall