11 Best Festive Christmas Markets & Events in Cornwall (2023)
Starting to feel the festive bug? There are plenty of Christmas markets in Cornwall to explore this year, along with other fun events in the December lead up!
Whether you’re after light switch on events in the cutest fishing harbours, or markets starring independent makers in iconic and enchanting locations, I’ve created a comprehensive guide of the very best of what’s on in Cornwall to get you in the festive spirit – including lots of my favourite events which I try to attend annually!
From ice skating at The Eden Project with your family, to a romantic date night evening feasting on home made mince pies at Truro Christmas market, there is something for everyone in this list…
1. The Eden Project Christmas Fair (& ice skating!)
The Eden Project, 22nd & 23rd November
Cornwall’s most vibrant Christmas Market ‘The Cornwall Christmas Fair’ returns towards the end of November at The Eden Project. You only need to purchase tickets for the fair, admission to the Eden project is free.
The iconic Eden biomes will be lit up purple as you shop around a beautiful array of Christmas gifts from independent stallholders and talented makers from around the county – from children’s toys to home accessories! You can always rely on a Christmas market to fill you with delicious artisan food and local produce, some food and drink is included in the ticket price too. Money raised from the market supports Cornwall Community Fund too!
If you are more for ‘doing’ than shopping – get your skates on and head to the Eden Project for their seasonal ice skating sessions – the only indoor ice rink in Cornwall! This will be here until February 2024 – so you could even go over New Year and any time you have off of work. Ice skating is an additional charge to admission to the biomes and you need to book in advance.
2. Mousehole Harbour Lights
Mousehole, 11th December – 6th January 2024
So iconic and famous, the Mousehole Lights illuminations even have their own website! The light switch on tradition in this enchanting Cornish harbour village started back in 1963.
After the initial switch on between 5-6pm on December 11th, the lights will come on every evening between 5-10pm until January 6th 2024. There are lots of Christmas light switch on events in cute harbours along the Cornish Coast, but this is a family favourite!
3. A Christmas Carol at The Minack Theatre
The Minack Theatre, 21st– 22nd December
If you’re not scared to wrap up in multiple jumpers, don thick gloves and maybe a few scarves, head outside for a truly unique experience of a one-man theatre showing of ‘A Christmas Carol’, perched over the cliffs of Porthcurno at The Minack Theatre! David Mynne will perform the Charles Dickens festive classic at the world famous open-air theatre, which is carved in to the cliffs overlooking Porthcurno beach. Don’t forget a big flask of hot chocolate!
4. The BIG Christmas Market in Truro
Truro, 29th November- 24th December
Arguably the best and biggest Christmas market in Cornwall, and run by award winning Truro Farmers Market, The BIG Christmas Market is a free event on Lemon Quay. The stalls will be open every day and open for late night shopping on Wednesdays until 9pm!
Held in Cornwall’s (only!) bustling city, this year there will be new bespoke wooden cabins, so you’ll truly feel like you’re in a winter wonderland. I can’t wait for all the amazing artisan street food, music and street entertainment. Expect local choirs to serenade you with Christmas carols whilst getting spend happy with talented local Cornish producers and stall holders. There is no greater feeling than supporting a small business and gifting your family and friends with gifts made with passion!
5. The Makers Cornwall Christmas Fair
Penryn, 3rd – 5th November
Start your Christmas shopping and celebrations early at the start of November and support talented creatives at the Makers Cornwall Christmas Fair, held at the Penryn Campus Sports Hall at Falmouth University.
Friday 3rd is cocktail and twinkly night, Saturday is considered the main shopping day and Sunday has a more relaxed vibe with live music. Last year’s vibrant event saw 70 stallholders and 5000+ visitors!
6. ‘Heligan Night Gardens’ at The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Lost Gardens of Heligan, St. Austell, 17th November – 2nd January
Travel through the magical reclaimed Heligan Gardens at night with twinkling, illuminated nocturnal creatures and an array of amazing installations that pay homage to Cornwall’s natural beauty. The trail casts a unique light on often overlooked creatures- from badgers to fungi!
Ramble through cute pathways by candle and torch light, eat some chestnuts and toast some marshmallows over the fire. This year’s event promises even more illuminations and an even more festive spirit.
If you have children, there are also lantern making workshops you can pre-book in to. The lost gardens will also be welcoming Santa and his elves, as well as hosting special roast dinner lunches through out December in the Heligan Kitchen. This is a big must at Christmas time and is a pretty big event!
7. The Tunnel of Lights at The Shipwreck Museum
Shipwreck Museum, Charlestown. 25th November – 31st December
Enter a dazzling winter wonderland in the UK’s longest tunnel of lights installation in Charlestown!
The museum is a UNESCO world heritage site, and once a year you can delve in to the historic tunnels for a fun and immersive yuletide experience. The Shipwreck Treasure Museum at the iconic Charlestown harbour (best known for Poldark) transforms into a glittering world and visual spectacle – with snow machines, giant snow globes and tunnels upon tunnels of illuminations and ice features, a treat for the senses. These spooky historic tunnels were once used to transport clay. Peak and off peak time tickets are available.
8. Padstow Christmas Festival
Padstow, 7-10 December
This is a festival built around a love for food and celebrates Cornish produce at its best. Padstow’s Christmas Festival welcomes world-renowned chefs to its charming fishing village, and this year culinary royalty – (Cornwall-loving) Rick Stein and Paul Ainsworth – return to headline alongside Valentine Warner.
Expect A- list cooking demonstrations, live music and entertainment, a festive market with over 100 food and drink traders and a heartwarming community atmosphere. There will be a lantern parade and a firework display too; the ultimate Christmas celebration at one of Cornwall’s most popular harbours.
General admission is now free, but you need to buy daily tickets to see the chef demonstrations.
9. Angarrack Christmas Lights
Angarrack, Hayle, 2nd December – 5th January 2024
Angarrack is a small Cornish village with a big reputation. It puts on one of the most dazzling displays in the county and the community of volunteers spend months before the switch on setting up the light display that draws fans from Cornwall and beyond.
The famous lights take you on a trip around the village and tell the story of the ’12 days of Christmas’. These magical illuminations can be visited daily between 5.30-9.30pm.
10. Christmas Wreath Making Workshops
Multiple events held around Cornwall
I love a good wreath making workshop! I’ve done a couple before as there are a few dotted around Cornwall during December, so worth looking up where the best ones are near you. You could try a workshop at the National Trust Trerice house, or head to The Minack Theatre for a unique ‘Succulent Wreath Making workshop’ perhaps! This is an indoor event held by the head gardeners of the Minack Theatre grounds, but you are promised walk arounds of the gardens to take in the beautiful scenery on the Cornish cliffs.
11. Christmas Swims!
Multiple events held around Cornwall
Take a Christmas day plunge without a wetsuit into the chilly December sea!
Events are organised by local Cornish communities and non-profit organisations raising money for charities around Cornwall. Some of the best attended events include Coverack Harbour, Cadgwith, Porthtowan, Bude and Gylly Beach Falmouth. Lots of people get dressed up in santa and elf costumes- but the less you wear the braver!
If you can’t find time on Christmas day amongst the festivities, there are events held on Boxing day and New Years day too – including St Ives and Perranporth.
