Christmas Events In West Cornwall - Get Into The Festive Spirit!

There are plenty of events going on in the region in the run up to Christmas - did you know that today, the 20th November, leaves us with only 34 days to get all our shopping done, cards sent, food planned and outfits chosen for all those parties (ahem)? So these may be the ideal way to get yourslef into the spirit and start getting yourself ready for the festivities.

I have previously posted an article detailing markets and craft fairs in the area in the run-up to Christmas, which are ideal for picking up unique and unusual, locally sourced or crafted gifts and table stuffs, but here are some more events for the whole family - any others that you know of, please do add in the comments box below so that nobody misses out on any of the fun!

Christmas In Truro:

25th Nov Reindeer Parade from 6pm

25th Nov Late night shopping till 9pm every Wednesday

9th - 13th Dec Victorian Market

12th Dec Christmas Street Market

13th Dec Messy Christingle at Truro Methodist Church

24th Dec Live Nativity in the streets

27th Dec Children's pets service at the Cathedral

31st Dec New Year's Eve fireworks on Lemon Quay

27th Nov - 20th Dec is the Newquay Christmas Festival made up of a series of music, food and entertainment events commencing with the Christmas lights switch on which includes a parade and fireworks.

3rd Dec onwards Late night shopping in Penzance until 9pm every Thursday till Christmas.

 14th - 21st Dec The Montol Festival is an annual arts and community festival in Penzance, held between the 14th and 22nd of December each year. The festival is a revival or reinterpretation of many of the traditional Cornish midwinter traditions and Christmas traditions formerly practiced in and around the Penzance area and is organised by the same team as the modern Golowan Festival at the end of June. Commonly thought of as the Pagan alternative to Christmas festivals.

17th Dec & 23rd Dec Mousehole Illuminations & Tom Bowcock's Eve The illuminations are turned on this year on the 17th December and stay on until the Friday at the end of the first week of the New Year. The 23rd December is Tom Bowcock's Eve; one winter, the village of Mousehole was near starvation, Tom Bowcock set sail with a few intrepid men and his cat 'Mowzer' which, says the legend, sung the storm to sleep and enabled them to make a fine catch of seven different kinds of fish. On his return to the harbour the sky darkened and the storm returned but they were guided back to harbour by the people of the village, each holding a lantern. Tom Bowcock's Eve is still celebrated every year and 'Starr Gazy pie' is baked and eaten by hungry visitors.  A book called ‘The Mousehole Cat’ is based on the legend.

Falmouth Christmas Festival: A unique shopping experience and the perfect opportunity to discover a whole host of quality gift ideas for family and friends. Late night shopping, christmas markets, live music, choir services, carol singing, children's entertainment, santa's grotto and Falmouth's Glitter Parade.

10th December ‘Friday Jazz’, The Moor - Falmouth School provides festive entertainment.

10th - 12th December: 12pm- 6pm High Street - The Old Brewery Yard Christmas Market. Christmas Hot chestnuts, mince pies, mulled wine, Snowballs and seasonal fare served at Café Cinnamon Girl and the Tap Room. Artisan stalls selling handmade goods, Christmas treats and stocking fillers. Choir singing and other local musicians and performers.

10th December 9am-8pm & 11th & 12th December 9am- 5pm Falmouth Trader’s Market on The Moor. Selling an eclectic range of fair trade, ethical and locally handmade goods as well as vintage and traditional market fare. New stalls with retro clothing, jewellery, handmade clothes and stocking fillers.

10th-13th December 10am- 4pm Events Square, Christmas Market.

Selling beautiful gifts, fine art, clothes and hot made soup to warm the cockles. Santa’s Grotto Sat & Sun.

11th December, Church Street - A selection of song performances from Falmouth School.

11th December Cool Hand Luke, The Moor.

Reaching the semi-final of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, Cool Hand Luke’s fast pace and athletic knife juggling and fire eating show will appeal to all ages.

12th December 2pm onwards Pendennis Brass Band Parade.

The band will play festive songs on The Moor from 2pm, moving to Prince of Wales Pier, Church Corner and finishing on Events Square.

12th December 6pm The Matt Johns Trio, The Poly - A special Christmas jazz piano performance.

12th December From 10am The Pantsmatters Charity Shop, charity live music day.

12th -19th December 10am- 5pm each day except Sunday 11am-4pm The Poly Christmas Bazaar.

A warm, cosy, sparkly and twinkly Christmas Bazaar with art and craft stalls selling festive goodies. A selection of stalls, selling gifts, art, food, books and Christmas themed items in the main gallery. Music and entertainment. Annie’s Kitchen celebrates its first anniversary in Church Street as well as Christmas. Come and join the party, loads of homemade goodies on offer including soups, hotpots, mince pies, mulled wine as well as a range of delicious homemade cakes.

12th December & 13th December 10am-2pm (Also 28th-29th Nov & 5th-6th Dec 10am-4pm) Pendennis Castle - Christmas Weekend.

Enjoy tall Christmas tales in the Keep and hands-on craft activities. Get the whole family together to help search; the hunt for Christmas has begun! Follow the trail of clues around the castle to claim your festive treat from one of the little helpers!

12th December Swamp Circus, Events Square.

Swamp Circus presents Mr Be and Friends – radical acrobatic comedy, mime, manipulation and serious stupidity for all ages… gasp and giggle!

12th December 2pm-3pm Falmouth Art Gallery

Bauble Daubs, family drop-in session and workshop Hooray for Cornwall Scrap Store - We love junk! Make a Christmas bauble out of colourful recycled goodies.

13th December 11am-4pm - Lanner and District Silver Band, The Moor.

13th December The Busketeers, Main Gallery, The Poly.

The Busketeers bring their unique brand of Eastern European swing, klezmer, Ska, Blues, Gypsy-punk and their own brand of humorous songs to Falmouth.

13th December 12pm Christmas Glitter Parade.

A Glitter Parade from High Street, leading to the Moor via Lower Killigrew Street, Webber Street and through the town centre to Events Square. Local traders and community members dress up and join in the festive party atmosphere, joined by Falmouth Samba Band.

13th December 7.30pm - Treverva Male Voice Choir Christmas Carol Concert Falmouth Methodist Church.

13th December The Craic Horse,

Church St Corner. Join the Craic Horse for wild, cheery and faster than usual Irish and British jigs, reels, polkas and hornpipes which will have your feet stamping.

13th December Events Square, Mr Bamboozle.

One of the best in the West and fun for all the family. With 250 balloon models in his portfolio come and see some amazing balloon modelling, probably like you’ve never witnessed before!