18th October 2024
Is there anything more magical than Christmas in Cornwall?
The rustic markets. The wintry scenery. The twinkly skies and laid-back, loved-up vibes.
And here at the Pentire Hotel in Newquay, we’re close to some of the biggest festive events and experiences the county has to offer. Lucky, right?
Take it from us: you’ll have a fantastic time if you spend Christmas in Cornwall, whether you’re a seasoned local or a seasonal visitor. But where, you might ask, should you start?
Simple. Put on your favourite woolly jumper, hug a warm mug of mulled wine and start here.
Christmas traditions in Cornwall
Cornwall has a stockingful of Yuletide entertainment to enjoy this year. But before we feast on all that fun, let’s explore some of the curiously Cornish traditions that crop up around Christmastime.
For instance, did you know that locals eat a fish-filled pastry called ‘stargazy pie’ on 23 December? The pie gets its name from the whole pilchards that poke out from the crust. To the lucky muncher, it looks like they’re staring up at the stars.
Oh, and 23 December, incidentally, is known in the village of Mousehole as Tom Bawcock’s Eve. Legend has it that Bawcock – a Mousehole native – helped save the village from starvation in the 16th century.
Another longstanding Christmas tradition is the art of guise dancing. This sees locals dress up in elaborate (and somewhat spooky) disguises. Suitably garbed, they perform plays and dances in return for festive food and cash.
Though it’s something of a dying tradition, you can still see guise dancing performed today. One of the last bastions of the art is the Montol Festival, held annually in Penzance on 21 December. What better reason to spend your Christmas in Cornwall than to enjoy all the local traditions, make this one a Christmas to remember!
Festive family events
Talking of the Montol Festival, it’s well worth a visit if you want to experience an unmistakably Cornish take on Christmas. But be warned: with its animal masks and fire-breathing demonstrations, it might be a little overwhelming for young kids.
A safer option would be Trerice, an Elizabethan manor house that’s only a short drive from our hotel. The property is putting on a packed calendar of Christmas events, including the chance to meet old St Nick himself. Father Christmas will be jollying up the drawing room on selected dates in December.
Or how about a Christmas pantomime? Head to Newquay’s Lane Theatre between 4 and 7 December to catch a touring rendition of Beauty and the Beast, complete with a bookish Belle and a cheeky panto dame.
This is just the tip of the Yuleberg. If you’re planning a family Christmas in Cornwall, you’ll be pleased to find plenty of festive events throughout the county. That includes carol singing in Truro, all-ages comedy in Helston and a whole lot more besides.
Here is a list of our favourite events happening this year:
Truro Cathedral Xmas Market Fri 1st and Sat 2nd November
Heligan night garden Fri 15th November
Truro Christmas Market 22nd November to 24th Dec https://www.trurochristmas.co.uk
Merry Fishmas with the Cornish Merpod Sat 23rd November
The Christmas Orchestra Truro Cathedral wed 27th November
Made in Cornwall Christmas fair Friday 20th December
Cornwall’s Christmas markets
It wouldn’t be Christmas in Cornwall without our friendly seasonal markets. And this year, the selection looks better than ever.
Let’s start close to home – or our home, at least. Held from 1 to 3 December, Newquay’s Christmas market is always well-stocked with stocking fillers. And, to make matters more magical, it kicks off with a Christmas lantern parade and fireworks blasting over the bay. Pretty!
Around 11 miles south of Newquay, you’ll find Truro and its popular Christmas bazaar. The event is run by local cidery Healey’s, so as well as food, crafts and music, you can expect toasty glasses of mulled cider that will help you beat the winter chill. Head over between 9 and 15 December if you fancy bagging some bargains.
And we have to give a special mention to The Eden Project’s annual Cornwall Christmas Fair. On 27 and 28 November, the world-famous botanical garden will again host a vibrant assemblage of stalls selling everything from vegan skincare products to children’s books.
Still haven’t conquered your Christmas shop? You’ll find more markets all over Cornwall, from Fowey’s traditional gala to Penryn’s craft-laden Christmas fair. Happy shopping!
Off the beaten track
Perhaps markets and mulled wine aren’t your thing. Maybe you’d like to try something unique this festive season.
You don’t need to look any further than Cornwall. This Christmas in Cornwall we’re delivering more than our fair share of weird, wonderful and downright different festive experiences.
How about getting lost (in a good way) in a secret garden? On selected dates in November and December, St Austell’s Lost Gardens of Heligan will transform into a fairytale trail, lit by tunnels of light and mushroom lanterns. Magical stuff.
Feeling brave? You could go for a Christmas Day swim. Queue up outside the Extreme Academy Surf School in Newquay’s Watergate Bay if you fancy an icy adrenaline rush.
And one more for good measure: visiting Santa by train. That’s right – the Lappa Valley miniature railway will host Father Christmas inside its very own trackside grotto. All aboard!
Places to stay
So, you’re convinced. You’ve decided to spend Christmas in Cornwall. But where should you rest your head between mince pies and mistletoe kisses?
You’re not short of options. Pretty much every Cornish town and village has something Christmassy going on, so a festive feeling is all but guaranteed.
But here in Newquay, December just feels that little bit more special. Maybe it’s the lovely lights that twinkle up and down town. Or the surge of seasonal events that take place every year. Or just the fact that everything feels warmer and cosier despite the colder weather.
In any case, it’s pure magic. And here at the Pentire Hotel, we’ve arranged a selection of Christmas breaks to help you make the most of it. That includes a four-night stay in late December, where you’ll enjoy a cooked breakfast every morning, a three-course dinner on Christmas Eve and a hearty roast on Christmas Day.
Throw in our beautiful coastal surroundings and it starts to feel like the Yuletide of a lifetime. More mince pies, anyone?
