The days are long, the light is golden, and Cornwall is firing on all cylinders – festivals are in full swing, the sea is calling, and the best of the summer is just around the corner. Here’s our pick of the best things happening this May, insider style.
When? 1 May 2026
Where? Padstow
Ancient, unmissable and very Cornish, Padstow’s famous May Day celebration is a full-throttle festival day for locals and visitors alike. Join in the festivities as two ‘osses are paraded through bunting-strung streets accompanied by music and dance, in a centuries-old celebration to mark the onset of spring.
When? 22 May 2026
Where? Bar Silo, Golant
Bar Silo is one of those ‘when-you-know, you know’ venues – a quirky old silo bar and tucked away on a farm in Golant, pumping out some of the best live music nights in Cornwall. There’s a line-up of events throughout the month, but we can’t wait for the high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass of Old Baby Mackerel, with fiddles, guitar and harmonies set to make for a barn-rattling Americana evening.
When? 29-31 May 2026
Where? Scorrier House, Redruth
What could be cooler than a giant, rambunctious garden fête with live music, sports day races, a fairground, circus workshops, yoga and silent discos in the woodland? The Great Estate is the sort of weekender where you can stretch into the day with yoga, sip Pimms in the afternoon, and dance into the night with Kaiser Chiefs or the Bang Bang Club and Jeremy Healy.
When? 4 May & 25 May 2026
Where? Fistral Beach & Watergate Bay
Pop on your headphones, tune into nature and chilled music, and find your flow on the sand with Silent Disco Yoga at Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay. These all-ability, vinyasa flow events fill the beach with Zen vibes, as over 100 people roll out their mats for a mindful and energising practice, with space to move at your own pace and soak up the beach atmosphere.
When? Open from early May
Where? West Pentire, Crantock
Made for slow mornings and warming up beside the beach, Lanow Coffee and Sauna has opened its hatch on the clifftops overlooking Crantock Beach. Our new favourite hangout for post-surf coffee, homemade cakes and banter by the waves, it’s the perfect pit-stop for any coastal adventure on West Pentire.
When? 15-17 May 2026
Where? St Ives
Sand between your toes, feast in your hands – St Ives Food and Drink Festival brings the tasty goods with the likes of Natasha Osborne and Chris Eden cooking up a storm in the chef’s fire pit, alongside food workshops, artisan stalls, and beachfront vibes. Free by day, but you’ll want to snap up tickets for the Sunset Sessions – think live bands, DJs and sea views at golden hour.
When? 22-25 May 2026
Where? Falmouth
This four-day fiesta blends cracking Cornish street food with Falmouth’s creative spirit. Local makers, live music and a buzzing harbourfront vibe set the tone for a long weekend of culture and cuisine by the sea. It’s fast become one of the West Country’s biggest foodie weekends.
When? Sunday 24 May 2026
Where? Pentire, Nr Polzeath
Fancy getting fit for summer? Every fourth Sunday of the month, this free 10k waymarked trail run takes in rugged coast path and stunning views of The Rumps. It’s a challenging route, with a shorter 6.35k option – and no doubt you’ll want to walk up some of the inclines just to take in the scenery! All abilities welcome. Meet at Pentireglaze car park (PL27 6QY).
When? 23-31 May 2026
Where? Across Cornwall
Every May, hundreds of Cornish artists unlock their studios to the public for Cornwall Open Studios – nine days of free access to painters, potters, sculptors, jewellers, textile artists, and more across the county. Use the searchable map to plot a route, find free demos and workshops, and buy direct from the makers themselves.
When? Throughout May
Where? Eden Project, St Austell
No matter how many times you’e been, visiting the Eden Project never gets old as there’s always new things to excite and inspire all ages. This May they’ve done it again, with Giant Marble Runs – 100 metres of interactive track weaving through the gardens, across eight unique runs. Borrow a carved wooden marble for a £5 refundable deposit and follow it as it twists and tumbles through one of Cornwall’s most extraordinary landscapes. Childlike joy, guaranteed.
Where? North Cornwall
May is time for staying under the stars and closer to nature… but that doesn’t have to mean a tent. At Kudhva you can sleep in an architect-designed three-legged hideout perched eight feet off the ground, with views down the coast to Gull Rock. Swim in the wild reservoir, stand under a 40-foot waterfall, or just lie in the hot tub watching the stars with zero phone signal. It’s totally off-grid, beautifully designed, and just a short walk from the raw North Cornish coast.
At the crook of the Lizard Peninsula, photogenic Porthleven is a compact harbour town packed with Cornish character, world-class eateries, and no shortage of things to see and do. You might’ve just missed April’s famous Porthleven Food Festival, but May is still our favourite month to mosey around the town trail, eat and drink in the harbourside bistros, watch fishing boats land local catch, and maybe see surfers catch a swell at the county’s best reef break.
Dive into our Local’s Guide to Porthleven.
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