Wasson? The best festivals in Cornwall 2024
Cornwall, the picturesque county nestled in the southwestern tip of England, is not just a haven for stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches and historic sites, it’s also a hub for a range of vibrant and eclectic festivals. As we step into 2024, Cornwall’s festival scene continues to thrive, offering an array of experiences for every taste and interest.
From the rhythmic beats of music festivals to the tantalising flavours of food and drink events, and enriching family-friendly, literary and heritage celebrations, Cornwall has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the best festivals the county has to offer this year.
Magical music
Kicking off our festival journey with a bang is Cornwall’s diverse music scene. From intimate gatherings to large-scale extravaganzas, music festivals in 2024 promise to be a feast for the ears.
Boardmasters, Newquay
Cornwall’s biggest and best-known music festival is Boardmasters. Head to Newquay, Cornwall’s surf mecca on 7-11 August 2024 for its surfer-chic vibes and Instagrammable Watergate Bay location. Heavyweight headliners include Stormzy, Chase & Status and Becky Hill – keep an eye out for more acts soon to be announced.
Keep an eye out for additional soul-nourishing experiences such as yoga sessions, wellbeing workshops and beach cleans. Pop next door to Fistral Beach for the Boardmasters Open surfing competition, which is free to watch.
Book your Newquay 2024 holiday cottage.
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Falmouth has a proud and long history as a safe port of call for deep-water sailing ships. It was there that sailors filled the waterside alehouses with their songs and it is there that those shanties and stories are kept alive to this day.
So hoist the mainsail and buckle those swashes for the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival from 14-16 June 2024 where 70 shanty groups gather at various locations throughout the town, from pubs and bars to historic courtyards and quays.
Book your Falmouth 2024 holiday cottage.
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Fabulous food and drink
Cornwall isn’t just about its coastline, it also produces some pretty decent food and drink. From locally sourced seafood to artisanal cheeses and craft beverages, its festivals are a celebration of the duchy’s rich gastronomic heritage.
Porthleven Food Festival
Try the free Porthleven Food Festival from 26-28 April 2024. This pretty harbour town in west Cornwall has repositioned itself as a foodie hub, hosting such local chef luminaries as Jude Kereama and Michael Caines OBE.
You’ll find plenty of top-quality food stalls and restaurants to eat your way through, as well as events taking place across the community. There’s also music day and night and family entertainment including circus shows and workshops, crafts, rides and parades.
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Rock Oyster Festival
Rock Oyster Festival (25 to 28 July 2024) at Dinham House in north Cornwall promises a voyage of culinary discovery, with mouth-watering food from michelin-starred Nathan Outlaw and Tom Brown, and top chefs Emily Scott, Jack Stein and Thuy Diem Pham joining in the fun.
The jam-packed long weekend is full of activity that will keep all the family amused for hours, from circus skills and roller-skating to bushcraft skills and fancy dress. There’s also a stellar musical line-up, including Sugababes and Bombay Bicycle Club.
Book your 2024 Rock holiday cottage.
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Amazing art
For those with a penchant for the arts, Cornwall’s art festivals in 2024 are a visual feast. Showcasing the works of local and international artists, these festivals bring together a diverse range of artistic expressions.
Form Falmouth
Form Falmouth, from 20 to 22 September 2024, is the new kid on the block. In its third year, this annual festival celebrates Falmouth’s visual arts heritage and vibrant creative culture through a series of talks, workshops and exhibitions in venues across the town, including a three-day art fair at Princess Pavilion. Immerse yourself in the work of hugely talented artists and craftspeople and purchase directly from these small creative enterprises.
Book your 2024 Falmouth holiday cottage.
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Open Studios Cornwall
Open Studios Cornwall is back from 25 May to 2 June 2024. Artists, designers and makers from the Tamar Valley to West Penwith welcome visitors to their studios to offer a taste of what they do. Whether it’s pastels or linocut, plein-air printmaking or stained glass, pottery or painting, there’s no shortage of practical artist-led workshops for Open Studios visitors to try out.
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Fun and family-friendly
Looking for wholesome entertainment? Look no further. Cornwall’s family-friendly festivals in 2024 offer a perfect blend of fun and relaxation for all ages. With a variety of activities, performances and interactive experiences, these festivals create lasting memories for everyone, from the little ones to the young at heart.
Tunes in the Park, Port Eliot, St Germans
Tunes in the Park is staged on the beautiful Port Eliot Estate in St Germans, south Cornwall. This fun-packed weekend of entertainment, activities and live music for all the family takes place on a bank holiday weekend from 23-25 August. McFly, Paloma Faith and Busted are headlining, woodland feasting and wellbeing sessions abound for the grown-ups while a grand selection of fairground rides, outdoor art sessions and an inflatable theme park will keep the kids entertained.
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The Great Estate, Redruth
The Great Estate throws open its gates from 31 May to 2 June 2024. The Darkness, Bez and Soul II Soul will be performing at this festival, described as being ‘the most rambunctious garden fête’. Staged against the backdrop of Scorrier House on the outskirts of Redruth, it’s bursting at the seams with live music, quality entertainment and lots of things to do for all the family. Children are well catered for – there’s a Victorian Sports Day, entertainment from the Vikings and Mr Zig Zag, a skate park, DJ workshops, adventures in the woods and tie-dye workshops.
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Literary legends
For bookworms and wordsmiths, Cornwall’s literary festivals are a treasure trove of inspiration and knowledge. Celebrating the written word in all its forms, these festivals bring together authors, poets and literary enthusiasts to engage in thought-provoking discussions, and attend book signings.
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature
Fowey Festival of Arts and Literature is celebrated over two weekends from 10 to 18 May 2024. Launched in 1997 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of author Daphne du Maurier’s birth on 13 May, look out for exhibitions, guided walks and talks by visiting professors and authors as well as trails, workshops and writing competitions for adults and youngsters.
Book your 2024 Fowey holiday cottage here.
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North Cornwall Book Festival
North Cornwall Book Festival in St Endellion near Port Isaac in north Cornwall will be running from 27-29 September 2024. Curated by author Patrick Gale, 2023’s stellar line-up included Ann Cleeves, Max Porter, Tom Holland, Natalie Haynes, Linda Grant and Tomiwa Owolade. There will be workshops in the Barn and a pop-up cafe in St Endellion Hall.
Book your 2024 Port Isaac holiday cottage here.
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Whether you’re a music aficionado, a foodie, an art enthusiast, a family seeking wholesome fun or a literary buff, Cornwall has a festival that will capture your heart and imagination. So, mark your calendars, pack your bags and get ready to be swept away by the charm and diversity of Cornwall’s best festivals in 2024.
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