Although Summer may be over, there are still a vibrant array of events on this September throughout Cornwall. A particular highlight is the Great Cornish Food Festival which is always a huge success and showcases the amazing food this county is proud of. If you have some free weekends this month, check out our round-up to get some inspiration as to what you should be getting up to!
Food
Newquay Fish Festival, 8th – 10th September, Newquay
Cornwall is famous for its fantastic seafood and this fishy food festival is held in celebration of its coloursful fishing industry and heritage. Set against the backdrop of one of the town’s hidden gems, it’s 300 year old harbour, the festival is now in its 15th year. This year will see some of the region’s top chefs making appearances, with the organisers promising some exciting guests and surprise faces at the demonstration stage. Alongside the food they have a full programme of entertainment including bands, choirs, singers, dancers and even a band of pirates complete with canons!
For three days at the end of September, Truro’s Lemon Quay once again plays host to the largest event anywhere dedicated entirely to Cornwall’s remarkable food and drink. Local hero and Michelin starred chef Nathan Outlaw, will once again open the festival on Friday 22nd September and will be doing a demonstration on the main stage of the Chef’s Theatre. You can expect to be able to sample, learn, discover, try before you buy and browse around 60 food and drink exhibitors, selling everything from pasties to peanut butter, from land and sea, and all produced in Cornwall. And its free entry!
https://www.greatcornishfood.co.uk/#sthash.qzOnkjKI.dpbs
The Mining and Pasty Festival, 8th – 10th September, Redruth
The Mining and Pasty Festival is a three-day event celebrating the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Redruth; through pasties, mining and music! The event is focused around the town centre and is completely free to attend. Events included a Pasty Day, Miner’s Day and Memorial Day. Activities included cookery demonstrations and ‘make your own pasty’, exhibitions, displays, activities, storytelling, fancy dress competition, live music and fairground rides. Cream teas and home-mad cakes will be on sale so you can refresh before browsing the market stalls on site in the Courtyard.
https://www.visitredruth.co.uk/Mining__and__Pasty_Festival_3173.aspx
Family
Fal River Walk, 17th September, Falmouth
A perfect opportunity to get your children off their phones and out in the great outdoors, doing some exercise! You can either choose to take part in the 6 or 15 mile walk, depending on how fit you’re feeling. The routes lead you around the bank of the River Fal which all you to fully appreciate the stunning scenery. Parking, ferries and a cream team are all included in the ticket price and at least half of the funds raised are donated to the chosen charities each year. Don’t miss out on this worthwhile activity!
BSUPA National Surf SUP Championships, 23rd – 24th September, Newquay
SUP stands for Stand Up Paddle surfing and the BSUPA National Surf Sup Championships is being hosted in Cornwall this September. It is the UK’s premier Surf Sup Competition, and makes for a thrilling watching for the whole family. It will be hosted at one of the county’s leading destinations, Watergate Bay which is a world class venue, with its towering cliffs, natural amphitheater shape bay and large expanses of golden sans. Make sure you’re there to see who is crowned Watergate Bay Waterman or Watergate Bay Waterwomen.
https://www.watergatebay.co.uk/blog/bsupa-national-surf-championships/
Music
Looe Music Festival, 29th – 1st October
Looe Music Festival is three days of superb live music in a magical setting. A ‘grown-up’ music festival where camping isn’t a prerequisite, where can visit from the day or the weekend, stay in comfort and eat like a king. The festival appears to pop up from nowhere to transform the beach and streets, giving locals and visitors from all over the world a chance to mingle and enjoy the show. Expect an eclectic mix of high energy music, featuring the likes of big names Lulu and The Happy Mondays. Everywhere is the venue, everybody is welcome to the party and each year they push it one step further!
The Electric Swing Circus, 29th September, Perranporth
The Electric Swing Circus is a 6-piece fusion of saucy 20’s swing and stomping electro beats. With an explosive sound that reverberates back through time, them with their own unique style of swing the ESC always brings the party! A full time, touring band on the international circuit, the ESC’s live set includes electric double bass, vintage samples, gypsy-jazz guitar, keys, drums, synths and electro beats. Fronted by a sassy female double-act, the ESC delivers a consistently dazzling show. Don’t miss them at The Watering Hole – it’s become one of Cornwall’s best music venues and is right on the beach!
https://www.thewateringhole.co.uk/event/electric-swing-circus-2/
Little Orchard Festival, 8th – 10th September, Penhallow
If you can’t quite accept that festival season is nearly over, which in turn marks the end of summer, then check out the Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival! Event organisers Healey’s have promised that this year’s festival is going to be bigger and better than ever. From local acts to international headliners, the music line-up is a winning combination, with appearances from Scouting for Girls, Kernow King, Electric Swing Circus and Westcountry favourite, The Wurzels. But Little Orchard is far more than just a music festival. Throughout the 3 days there will be activities and a whole world of fun for the entire family.
https://cornwallciderfestival.co.uk/
Theatre
Cyrano De Bergerac, 11th – 15th September, Penhallow
Romance, war, poetry, sword fighting, and a little baking – what more could you want from a theatrical experience? A witty and delightful modern adaptation of the classic tale of Cyrano, who can express his love for Roxanne through his words, but whose enormous nose blights his prospects of winning her hand.
https://www.minack.com/event/cyranomat/?instance_id=6914
The Gruffalo, 12th – 13th September, Truro
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Searching for hazelnuts, Mouse meets the cunning Fox, the eccentric old Owl and the party mad Snake. Will the story of the terrifying Gruffalo save Mouse from ending up as dinner for these hungry woodland creatures? After all, there’s no such thing as a Gruffalo – is there? Songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world!
https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/Online/default.asp
Seasonal
St Ives September Festival, 2nd – 23rd September, St Ives
The St Ives September Festival promises to bring you 15 days of music, theatre, poetry, film, walks, talks and arts events, taking over the whole of St Ives. It’s not uncommon for accommodation, restaurants and tickets to be booked up weeks, if not months, in advance. With lots of different genres on offer there’s usually something for everyone, so head down into St. Ives and check out this hugely popular annual festival.
https://www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk/
Eden Arts Festival, 9th – 10th September, Par
This year marks the first ever Eden Arts Festival – an immersive three-day weekend of live performances, visual arts, family fun and a celebration of all things LGBTQ. Day one of the festival is Proud Eden – a celebration of LGBTQ arts and culture. The programme includes the acclaimed West End show Outings, Lucy Le Brocq’s Drag King photo exhibition, and a performance called Beacons, Icons and Dykons, inspired by the spectacularly bad sci-fi musical The Apple. There will also be an exciting line-up of talent brought to you by publishers Penguin Random House in association with Gay Times. Make sure you don’t miss out on getting lost in the world of Billy and the Minpins with live story-telling to celebrate our involvement in Roald Dahl Day 2017!
https://www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/eden-arts-festival
