What’s on in West Cornwall - festive edition

Mousehole's Christmas Lights

From festivals to festive markets, there's always plenty going on in Cornwall during November and December. Here are our picks for this year:

Polgoon Vineyard and Orchard Christmas Market November 16th

Embrace the holiday spirit with festive shopping, seasonal treats, twinkling lights, and family-friendly activities. There will also be a market on 14th December and evening markets on the 5th, 12th and 19th.

Truro Christmas Markets, November 21st until December 24th

Wooden cabins transform Lemon Quay into a festive village, serving up crafts, gifts and seasonal treats.

Krowji Christmas Open Studios, November 28th to 30th

From artists to potters, photographers to jewellery makers, Krowji's diverse artists and makers open up their studios for the weekend. It's a great opportunity to see artists at work and pick up some unique Christmas gifts.

Christmas at Gololphin - throughout December

For the first time ever, Godolphin will be opening its doors on Fridays in the lead-up to Christmas with opportunities to make your own pomander decoration and then warm up with festive treats.

There will be candle making workshops with the estate's resident beekeeper on the 10th and 17th while The Leach Pottery will be hosting hand building workshops where you can create your candle holder on the 11th and 18th.

Mousehole Christmas Lights 11th December to 5th January

Mousehole's famous Christmas lights display is always worth a visit. If you're in the village on December 23rd, you can enjoy the celebrations for Tom Bawcock's Eve. The festival commemorates a local fisherman who, according to legend saved the village from starvation. Make sure to grab a slice of the famous Stargazy Pie.

Ghostly goings on at The Acorn Theatre

If, like me, you love a Christmas ghost story grab a ticket for a performance of The Ghost Stories of E.F Benson on December the 14th and A Christmas Carol on the 23rd.

Montol Festival, December 21

Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Penzance's Montol festival - a glorious revival of the midwinter and Christmas traditions which were once commonly practised throughout Cornwall. Think masked revellers, lantern processions and The Lord of Misrule.

Nine Lessons and Carols, Truro Cathedral, December 24th

The traditional Christmas service will take place on Christmas Eve featuring the girl choristers of Truro Cathedral Choir.

St Ives New Year's Eve Fireworks, December 31st

Now home to one of the biggest New Year's Eve fancy dress parties in the UK, St Ives will be seeing in 2025 with a spectacular fireworks display over the harbour.