Main photo credit: Boardmasters
Summer’s not just for beach life. Celebrate the sunny days, the vibrant culture and gastronomic treasures of our sea-lashed county at some of the hip and happening events on our shores this summer. From words to water events, there’s something for everyone to feast on…
5-8 July 2023
Rub shoulders with literati and find your muse at the annual Penzance Literary Festival. An array of talented artists are taking the stage in venues across town, to share their stories, inspiration and way with words.
6-9 July 2023
Lighten the mood with belly laughs and silliness at the second Falmouth Cringe Festival in the town’s Kimberley Park. Wildly entertaining, captivating and hilarious acts will take the open-air stage, from local comedians to national headliners. With a dynamic line-up of free family-friendly events, music and comedy performances, get ready to laugh your socks off.
9-15 July 2023
Roll up for a week-long celebration of local art and music, culminating in a vibrant street parade and torchlit procession in St Just. This huge event in West Penwith sees families take over the medieval amphitheatre of Plen-an-Gwary for activities, entertainment and dancing. With art exhibitions, skate jams, dance, film nights, circus, music and theatre performances throughout the week, it’s a full-throttle community extravaganza.
1 July – 5 August 2023
Cornwall’s coastline evokes the want to wander and explore, and this awe-inspiring exhibition explores the very close relationship between landscape and wandering. Inspired by the pilgrimage route of St Michael’s Way, which passed through the site of Tremenheere Sculpture Gardens on its way to Northwest Spain, the exhibition features media of varying types and size, immersed in the subtropical landscape and galleries of the sculpture gardens.
15 July 2023
Fly high at this family-friendly blue light festival on the outskirts of Padstow. Celebrating the vital work of Cornwall’s blue light services, you can ride in fire trucks, see police dogs in action and brush up on your circus skills. Not just for the knee-high gang, there’s a line-up of live music to keep parents toe-tapping, including the multi-award winning 3 Daft Monkeys.
Various dates in June and July 2023
No matter how many times you’ve visited the Eden Project, the first view over its magnificent biomes still has the wow factor. Combine that with world-class bands, and it’s an unforgettable music experience. Well established on the summer festival scene, the Eden Sessions has welcomed some amazing musical acts to Cornwall over the years, but 2023 is set to be one of the best yet with Lionel Richie, Gabrielle, Kasabian and The War on Drugs confirmed so far. Don’t forget to arrive early and make the most of admission into this incredible attraction.
22 July 2023
Worship the spirit of gin at this one-day celebration of the UK’s best craft gins and spirits. As part of a 25-day national tour, you can sample an array of new gins, rums and vodkas, meet the makers, listen to music and get merry under the roof of Truro Cathedral.
21-23 July 2023
Love house music and love festivals? Well, it’s time to break out your party attire for the ‘Greatest House Party in a Field‘. What started as a gathering for a group of friends over a decade ago, has grown into an all-out three days of frolics and musical entertainment, this year featuring Orbital, Aurora and Bloc Party. Don’t forget to pack your surfboard too, as you’re close enough to Bude and the North Coast of Cornwall to break out for some waves.
July & August 2023
Watch the sunset listening to live music in a sublime venue perched on the cliffs overlooking Treyarnon Bay. No ordinary hostel, this YHA lays on a series of sundowner sessions featuring folk, rock and magical acoustic music as the sun sinks into the ocean.
27th to 30th July 2023
Hogging a prime location overlooking the Camel Estuary, the Rock Oyster Festival beckons families, foodies and music lovers looking for an event that’s a little more laid-back than some of the big names. One of the smallest festivals on the summer circuit, it’s hands-down one of our favourites with a huge local following. You don’t have to love oysters to enjoy the smorgasbord of live music, artisan grub, well-being workshops and interactive kids’ sessions. And with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Groove Armada and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall taking the stage, we can’t wait.
4-13 August 2023
You don’t have to like boats to make the most of this spectacular week that started out as a local sailing regatta in 1837. There’s plenty for landlubbers and maritime fans, as the whole town hits party mode for a week of sailing competitions, street parades, family entertainment and live music.
4 August 2023
Take a seat in the amphitheatre to witness a bold production of Shakespeare’s tale of star-crossed lovers. While many people head to the renowned cliffside Minack Theatre, this smaller, lesser-known natural amphitheatre close to Upton Cross is an atmospheric venue to witness a re-imagined version of the feud between the Montagues and Capulets.
9th to 13th August 2023
What could be more suited to Cornwall than one of Europe’s biggest and best surf and music festivals? By day you can hit Fistral beach and watch international surf pros battle it out to be king of the waves, and in the evening catch big-name bands on stages overlooking the golden sands of Watergate Bay. One of the coolest dates in the Cornish festival calendar, there’s something for everyone at Boardmasters, from fairground rides, a silent disco and more intimate venues, to the main stage featuring the likes of Florence and the Machine and Liam Gallagher. You can also immerse yourself in the Cornish beach lifestyle, with surfing and coasteering adventures, yoga and well-being and boutique camping by the beach.
8-10 September 2023
Delve into Cornwall’s mining heritage and the history of the pasty, as this delicious pasty-fuelled fest takes off in Redruth for three days. From pasty eating challenges to giant pasty making, dance performances and gigs, it’s sure you get you ogling over the traditional Cornish oggy.
8-10 September 2023
Rounding up the festival season, the Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival is a true Cornish celebration of the end of summer. And now in its 10th year, with its homage to quality local cider and first-class music in the beautiful setting of Healey’s Cyder Farm, it’s an idyllic end to summer at that. Whether you go with family or friends, there’s an array of music, from the popular silent disco and BBC Introducing stage, to bigger names including Ocean Colour Scene and Willie and the Bandits.
9-23 September 2023
The well-known idyllic spot of St Ives is home to a fortnight of festival action centred around music and the arts. Cleverly scheduled to take place in September, when most of the crowds have left the county, the festival features poetry, exhibitions and even guided walks; a perfect way to kick off autumn.
Having just experienced my first night-time mountain bike ride around the...
Latest News, Events and Happenings this Summer Forget the big-name line-ups...
