This December Cornwall is putting on one hell of a show with regards to events! There is something for simply everyone, whether you’re a foodie, theatre lover or looking for a Christmas-themed day out for the kids. Take a look and get involved!
Food
Padstow Christmas Festival, Padstow, 7th-10th December
The tenth anniversary of the annual Padstow Christmas Festival is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever! There’s a fantastic line-up of chefs including Angela Hartnett, Michael Caines, Brian Turner, Roy Brett, and Tom Kerridge. Rick Stein writes ‘I’ve spent a lot of time in Mexico this year and am so inspired by the country’s cuisine that I’ll be cooking a Mexican fish dish at my demo.’ Padstow is decorated with Christmas lights, and there’s lots of lovely pubs and restaurants to enjoy. It’s the place you’d really want to be on a weekend in December. The festival is one of those events where everyone seems to be in a thoroughly good mood, probably because there’s so much great food and drink on offer.
https://www.padstowchristmasfestival.co.uk/
Feast Night, Camel Studio, 9th December, Washaway
As Christmas approaches, the scents and sounds of the festive season will come to life at this themed feast night. While the fire crackles in the fairylit barn, the fragrance of mulled wine and spices fill the air, infused with the rich aromas of Liam Smith-Laing’s sumptuous festive fare. Sharing plates of hearty and home-cooked dishes are followed by a warming and flavourful dessert (full menu to come). Liam trained alongside some of the best chefs in the industry so picture feasting by candelight on his rich-tasting and delicious menu, with the woodburner warming the barn. It’s a cosy and comforting atmosphere with scrumptious food.
https://www.camelstudio.co.uk/events/
Family
Sugar & Spice Christmas Grotto, Bedruthan Steps Hotel, Mawgan Porth, 1st-24th December
Last year was magical and this year the hotel have expanded their fantastic Grotto to include some of their wonderful Scandinavian friends, Astrid and Tomte along with the big man himself and their favourite Cornish Piskies. Your children will be able to enjoy 90 minutes of unforgettable festive magic for just £15 per child and £4 per adult. Tomte the Nordic gnome and his helpers have hitched a lift all the way from Norway to Cornwall on Father Christmas’ sleigh so they can spend the holidays with their cousins, the Cornish Piskies. Heavy ‘snowfall’ is forecast for the Bedruthan Grotto again this year and there will be even more time to play in the snow with their new Snow Zone.
https://www.bedruthan.com/grotto/
Theatre
Sleeping Beauty, Hall for Cornwall, Truro, 5th – 31st December
Awake from your enchanted slumber this Christmas by booking to see the fun-for-all-the family fairytale adventure, Sleeping Beauty. Edward ‘Kernow King’ Rowe and Granville Saxton return in this year’s Christmas show, Sleeping Beauty, the final chapter in a trilogy of adventures featuring much loved Cornishman, Kenwyne and his extended family. From the creative team that brought you hit shows Dick Whittington and his Mousehole Cat!, Hall for Cornwall are proud to present its own home grown production to enchant and entertain adults and children alike. With magic, music and comedy and some sparkling surprises, make sure you book your tickets now – it promises to be a ‘bewty!
https://www.hallforcornwall.co.uk/Online/default.asp
The Two Wizards, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, 29th December
If you go up to the cliffs today you had better go in disguise . . .Keep your eyes open for the two grizzly old wizards who haunt the cliff tops above the tiny Cornish cove of Porthgwarra. There is only one thing that is more trouble than a grumpy wizard – Two grumpy wizards. Can no one save the village? John Brolly tells this enchanting original tale of wizard wars and magic in the Cornish mist. Packed full of comical and interactive madness. No advance booking required – Tickets available on the door
https://www.minack.com/
Seasonal
Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fair, Torpoint, 9th and 10th December
Back for the fourteenth year, and still fabulous! The fayre will run 10am to 5pm on Saturday and 10am to 4pm on Sunday. You will be able to enjoy inspirational cookery demonstrations from leading west country chefs, local produce for your culinary delight, lots of entertainment and Christmas caroling and a last spot of Christmas shopping thanks to the various crafts and gifts available. Santa will be visiting between 11am and 3pm each day, so don’t miss him! Admission is £3 for adults and £1 for children.
https://www.mountedgcumbe.gov.uk/
Mousehole Christmas Lights, Mousehole, 16th December
The Christmas lights were started in 1963 by Mousehole-based artist, Joan Gillchrest. A string of coloured bulbs were put along both quays to make the village a bit brighter at Christmastime. It has grown and grown over the years and today the largest set piece is the ‘Merry Christmas / Happy New Year’ which is approximately 160ft (50m) long x 20ft (6m) high and contains nearly 1000 bulbs! At the annual switch on there’s an open-air Carolaire service at the entrance to the North Quay and ‘Carolaire Choir’.
https://www.mouseholelights.org.uk/
Music
Festival of Light and Sound, Eden Project, Par, 25th November – 30th December
Eden’s dazzling Festival of Light and Sound sees the return of iy_project after its record-breaking success last year. Watch as Eden’s winter landscape is transformed with stunning new light projections, dramatic soundscapes and live music for 2017. Step out onto the viewing platform and gaze in awe as dramatic lasers pierce through the darkness to create a canopy of light, illuminating Eden’s lush landscape. Make your way down to the Mediterranean Biome for a beautifully choreographed performance of music and light, as evocative soundscapes fill the air and plants are brought to life by a myriad of dancing light projections.
https://www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/festival-of-light-and-sound?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=visitcornwall.com&utm_campaign=listing
Carols in the Courtyard, Pentillie Castle, St Mellion, 13th December
Get in the festive spirit with the Liskerret Male Voice Choir and some fabulous carol singing at Pentillie Castle on 13th December at 6pm. No booking is required and it is a FREE entry. Don’t forget to wrap up warm as this is an outdoor event. There will be warming winter refreshments available to keep you toasty! For more information, please ring the office on 01579 350044.
https://www.pentillie.co.uk/events-at-pentillie-castle/carols-in-the-courtyard/
