Covering the peak months of the summer, July and August have the most big events going on. Everywhere’s open for business so there’s no shortage of events across Cornwall!
July:
- Padstow Vintage Rally & Country Fair is a 3-day long outdoor event that’s been running for decades, at the start of July. There will be the usual vintage engines on display, as well as entertainment and local produce to eat and to buy. Entertainment tent and beer tent. Camping field available.
- Mevagissey Fish Week, this often spans the end of June and beginning of July. It’s a week-long festival that started out as the Feast of St Peter in 1754. *NOTE: In 2016 there’s very little occurring due to the Feast Chairman’s unexpected death.
- Culdrose Air Day
- Newquay Carnival Week is at the beginning of July and has a lot of local activities going on, ending in a procession on the last night through the town and then there’s a firework display at Newquay Harbour. Run by Newquay Lions, this event has been running and growing for decades.
- Stithians hosts the Cornwall Truck Show, which was started in 2011, with funds going to the Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust to keep the helicopters flying as well as funding the Children’s Hospice South West charity. 200-250 trucks on display, lots of local produce and fun. Live music and a beer tent.
- St Just in Penwith have their annual 2-week long Lafrowda Festival at the start of July. Entertainment, food, music, art and crafts. Lots going on – and all for free. There is a big lantern procession on the last night.
- Rock Oyster Festival, this is a weekend event, with overnight camping available. Artisan food festival with entertainment. It’s based at Dinham House, near Wadebridge. Adults £24, campervan pitches free. Children/£8, infants/free, OAP/£12, Teens/£15.
August:
- St Endellion Festival has been running for nearly 60 years. It takes place at the end of July/beginning of August. This is a live classical music event held at the Collegiate Church of St Endellion, St Endellion, North Cornwall. Events are priced individually, from £5/10 for lunchtime recitals to £25-30 for the larger events.
- Wadebridge Showground hosts the annual Creation Fest, a free to attend Christian Music Festival and Bible Week, with camping available on site. It runs for a week in early August.
- Fowey Royal Regattta takes place every year in the third week of August. The week-long event has sailing races, live music, and a carnival, ending in a spectacular firework display. Most of the events are free. The Red Arrows have put on a display most years since 1977. 2016: The Red Arrows will not be doing their usual fly-by this year.
September:
- Redruth has a 3-day event early in September, bringing together an international mining & pasty festival with a fun day and memorial day. Cornish food, crafts and drink stalls available. The Sunday Fun Day is free to attend.
- Looe Music Festival is a 3-day live music event towards the end of September.
- Penhallow, Truro – Cornwall Cider Festival, aka Little Orchard Music Festival. First held in 2012, this is a 3-day music festival held at the beginning of September, on the premises of Healey Cider Farm, Penhallow, TR4 9LW. Stages, bands, entertainment, food & drink, crafts/stalls. Healeys produce the Rattler range of ciders.
- Bude Jazz Festival is a 4-day live music event at the beginning of September.
- Newquay County Championships Gig Racing, the Ladies’ events are usually the first full weekend in September, so anywhere from 1st to the 8th. This is always hosted by Newquay Rowing Club at Newquay Harbour.
- Newquay Fish Festival is a 3-day long event on Newquay Harbour, with free entertainment, cookery demonstrations and lots of local produce to try and buy. It’s at the beginning of September.
- Newlyn Arts Festival is a week long festival for art and artists that’s at the end of September/beginning of October. It includes exhibitions, music, theatre, film, poetry, shadow puppetry, talks and more.
