10 Things to Do in Cornwall in December
- 1 year ago
- Activities, Attractions, Events
Christmas is hurtling towards us, and there’s nowhere better to feel that festive buzz and sparkle than here in Cornwall, where we do Christmas a little bit differently. Think festive markets beside the waves, sea dips in Santa hats, pilchard pie under twinkly lights, and carols on the sand.
Each month we spotlight 10 cool things to do, to make the most of Cornwall. Here’s our top picks for a cracking December:
Festival of the month: Falmouth Festive Weekend
7-8 December 2025, Falmouth
If you fancy some folklore and fire performances on the mid-winter solstice, head to Penzance for the Montol Festival on 21 December. Or, if you like the twinkly traditions of giant snow globes, Christmas markets, ice skating and live music, take a twirl (or hop on the festive land train) around Falmouth’s Festive Weekend, where snow machines turn the streets into a winter wonderland.
WELLBEING this month: Cosy Winter Sessions at Olla Hiki Sauna
5 December, Newquay Harbour.
Need to unwind in the pre-Christmas chaos? Take some time out for a 2-hour sauna session, with sea and plunge pool dips, and a warm fire by the beach where you can feast on biscuits, seasonal fruit and non-alcoholic mulled wine. Relax, recharge and refuel, ready for the festive shenanigans ahead.
FoodIE event of the month: CARBIS BAY Christmas Market
7-8 and 14-15 December, Carbis Bay
Pigs in blankets beside the beach, Christmas cake with coastal views – don’t you just love the festive season in Cornwall? During two winter weekenders, the promenade at Carbis Bay will be bustling with a Coastal Christmas Market – artisan and craft stalls, artisan food stands and live musical performances. With Santa’s Grotto and a Yuletide raffle in aid of the Cornwall Air Ambulance, there’s all the more reason to tuck into brie bites and cranberry sauce by the sea this year. There are also Christmas carols by candlelight at Carbis Bay on 15 December.
Music Of the month: Truro’s Big Christmas Sing
13 December, Truro Cathedral
If you love belting out Christmas carols, there’s nowhere better to join in than at Truro’s Big Christmas Sing. Join special guests Molly Hocking and the Falmouth Community Gospel Choir in the stunning venue of Truro Cathedral, where the acoustics and entertainment will fill you with festive vibes. Other atmospheric winter concerts at the cathedral include the chart-topping folk ensemble, Mediaeval Baebes, on 11 December.
Activity of the month: Christmas Day dip
25 December. Beaches across Cornwall.
As we said, we like to celebrate Christmas a little differently in Cornwall, and one of our longstanding traditions in towns and villages across the county is a Christmas Day dip. From Penzance to Polzeath, you’ll find communities gathering on the beaches after opening their stockings, and charging into bracing seas with little more than a Santa hat and swimmers on. Hot chocolate and dry robes are recommended, but what better way to work up an appetite for that Christmas feast?
Walk of the month: The Rumps and Pentire Point
Nr Polzeath. Throughout December
Blast away on the cobwebs on a walk across The Rumps and Pentire Point, a wild promontory just north of Polzeath where you can witness spectacular views of the North Cornwall coastline from the site of an Iron Age settlement. The National Trust visitor hub at Pentireglaze is also hosting a selection of festive activities, including a Christmas Craft Fair (7-8 December), seasonal treats served in their café, and a Reindeer Trail for some festive family fun. If you want to run off some of your festive feasting, there is also a 10km trail run on 22 December (with a shorter 6.35km option also available).
Attraction of the month: the eden project
Until 05 January. Eden Project, St Austell.
As always, the Eden Project is putting on sparkling Yuletide celebrations, including astonishing light displays, a magical 40-minute theatrical performance with Father Christmas and his elves, an ice rink and a magical carousel. You can also register for the Santas on the Run festive 2km fun run on 1 December, for a dash through the snow machine, a s-elf-ie, a singalong and some festive treats, to raise money for the Children’s Hospice South West.
View of the month: Festive Cream Tea and sea views at FISTRAL BEACH
Until 03 January 2025. Fistral Beach Hotel, Newquay.
While we’re all for standing on a windswept promontory and taking in Cornwall’s glorious seascapes in winter, why not witness the wave-lashed coastline from a cosier viewpoint in the winter chill? Head to Newquay’s Fistral Beach Hotel, where you can enjoy a festive afternoon tea with savoury sweet treats and a glass of bubbly, while looking out over the surf and the spectacular North Coast scenery.
ART event of the month: Kurt Jackson’s 150 Years of Environmental Change in Cornwall
Until 11 January 2025. Penlee House, Penzance.
Surely no artist has studied the changing fauna and flora or Cornwall in as much detail as Kurt Jackson? This contemporary artist whose work and process is heavily informed by his deep respect for, and study of, the natural world, has curated an incredible exhibition of paintings from the last 150 years (by artists including Stanhope Forbes, Harold Harvey and Lamorna Birch) that act as a visual record and reference point of the changes in Cornwall’s natural habitats.
Bar of the month: The Living Space AT WATERGATE BAY HOTEL
Watergate Bay Hotel, Newquay
Let Watergate Bay Hotel’s resident mixologist Meg Clark seduce you into the spirit of Christmas with her 12 Drinks of Christmas – bright, zesty and sweet tipples to toast winter days at the beach, and long winter evenings beside the fire. From chai and banana-infused rum to seasonal flavours of blood orange, cranberry and cinnamon, sit back and warm up with these cracking Christmas cocktails setting glasses alight with festive cheer and a taste of the bay.
Inspired to sprinkle your Christmas festivities with some Cornish magic this year? Don’t forget to tag us on @cool.cornwall while you’re out about in Cornwall in December.
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