Spring Events in Cornwall for 2014
The Cornish gardens are full of bloom and with them comes a whole new calendar of Spring events in Cornwall. We’ve handpicked some of the best festivals and events you can look forward to in the coming months.
Remember that Cornwall is a peninsula only 75 miles ‘long’ from the Devon border to Land’s End in the far west, so base yourself somewhere in the middle and the whole county is easily accessible. Most of the time you will find yourself no more than 20 minutes from the coast.
Porthleven Food Festival
25th – 27th April
Preceded by a Friday night ticketed fundraiser, the main festival will be opened by Antony Worrall Thompson at 10am on 26th. Portleven in Helston looks forward to a free day of music, entertainment and the best of local food. Children’s workshops and entertainment will take place alongside a beer marquee, indoor food market and cookery demonstrations and samplings; all with a focus on ‘Local Food, Global Stage’. Sunday will take the form of a live music event from 11.30am until 9.30pm in the main marquee.
Trevithick Day
26th April
Steam engines, singing, parades and dancing take place in Cambourne’s celebration of mining heritage. The town streets close for a children’s dance from 10.15am and the day will finish with a parade of steam engines at 3.15pm in honour of local inventor, Richard Trevithick.
St Agnes Bolster Festival
2nd – 5th May
Legends of the Cornish giants come alive in this great family celebration. Traditional pageantry, giant sized effigy’s and puppets, lantern processions, a bonfire and barbeque. Timings and more details can be found on the Bolster Festival website.
Saltash May Fair
3rd – 4th May
The Saltash Annual fair near Plymouth incorporates traditional stalls, dancing, sports, live music, competitions and parades.
English National Surfing Championships
3rd – 5th May
Taking place on the beach at Watergate Bay, watch competitors take to the waves in the 41st year of one of the UK’s longest running surfing competitions.
The Gruffalo’s birthday at The Eden Project
3rd – 5th May
Join the team at The Eden Project to celebrate the Gruffalo’s 15th birthday. Normal admission prices apply.
St Ives May Day
5th May
Beginning at The Guildhall at midday, the May Queen and King are chosen to lead a parade to the harbour at 1pm where traditional Cornish dancing, music and performances will take place throughout the day.
The Black Prince Flower Boat May Day Procession
5th May
Traditional May pole and May Day celebrations at Millbrook, Kingsand and Cawsand on the south east coast.
Helston Flora Day
8th May
An early 7am dance through the town bedecked in bluebells, gorse and laurel leaves mark the start of this family day out. Dancing throughout the day, mummers plays, Cornish foods and crafts and a fairground add to the carnival atmosphere.
The Big Produce Market
9th – 10th May
Join stallholders and top chefs at Lemon Quay in Truro to sample and watch mouth watering cookery demonstrations showcasing the best local food.
St Ives Literature Festival
10th – 17th May
A nine day event featuring poetry, prose, live music, comedy performance and workshops. With a mix of free and ticketed events.
Fowey Festival of words and music
10th – 17th May
Talks, trails, workshops, guided walks and river cruises are just some of the events taking place in this festival in Fowey. A full programme of events can be viewed here.
Lostfest in Lostwithiel
11th May
Art, craft, dance, antiques and entertainment as well as local food stalls in the streets and various venues in Lostwithiel during the annual Lostfest festival. The events are free and donations raise money for The Front Line Emergency Equipment Trust (FLEET).
Fal River Festival
23rd May – 1st June
A ten day festival encompassing around 150 different events in Falmouth, Truro and around the Roseland Peninsula. Raising money for charity, the festivities rejoice in life on the river with crafts, traditional music and culinary delights.
Newquay Arts Festival
23rd – 26th May
A jam packed programme of free and nominally charged events in this gala representing all aspects of the arts from design to poetry, music and comedy.
Bude and Stratton Folk Festival
23rd – 26th May
From sea shanties to ballads, participate in sing arounds or listen to a host of names from the folk music scene. Concerts, a barn dance, workshops and open mic sessions take place in various venues around the towns.
Open Studios
24th May – 1st June
Cornwall is renown for its clear light and for over a century the area has been a haven for the arts and crafts. During this open studios week you can visit artists in situ and learn more about their discipline.
The Pendennis Cup
26th – 31st May
Superyacht racing in Falmouth Bay at its most competitive. The yachts will be moored in Port Pendennis Marina whilst not racing with events taking place in the main square.
Pirates on the Prom
26th May
Ahoy, me hearties! Don your cutlasses and eye patches and join the Penzance Pirates on the Promenade attempting the record for the most people in pirate costumes in one place! Two accessories are required and anything else from basic rolled up trousers to full pirate costumes accepted. Music, dance and general pirate mayhem from 12pm until late.