Five Best Places To Spend New Year In Cornwall

Calling all fellow party aficionados! We’re about to spill the Korev on the absolute best spots to wave goodbye to the old and usher in the new in Cornwall. Get ready for a new year’s eve extravaganza that’ll have you dancing, laughing – and probably sporting a silly hat or two.

Grab your favorite cosy sweater or raid the fancy dress box and let’s dive into Cornwall’s hottest New Year’s hangouts for a rip-roaring celebration.

1. Falmouth: pub paradise

If your ideal New Year’s involves sipping on pints and hopping from one cosy pub to the next, Falmouth is your haven. The pubs here are practically calling your name, promising a night filled with laughter, live music and possibly a little bit of wild dancing.

The streets are alive with the buzz of partygoers, and you’re bound to stumble upon a pub that feels like your second home. It’s the kind of night where you lose track of time, and that’s exactly how we like it!

Head to the Chain Locker, a 16th-century pub on the quayside and one of Falmouth’s most historic buildings for live music from 7pm and one of the best views of the fireworks.

2. St Ives: fancy dress frenzy

For those dreaming of a new year’s eve with toes in the sand and the sound of waves, St Ives is the answer. Think massive beach bonfire, twinkling harbour lights and the soothing rhythm of the sea as your New Year’s soundtrack.

New year’s eve in St Ives started out as a local celebration. Over the years the tradition of wearing fancy dress has grown and now it’s said to be the third-largest fancy dress party after London and Edinburgh. It attracts one of the largest new year’s eve crowds in Cornwall and revellers, all dressed up in costume, take over the streets. Countdown to midnight at the harbour with the sky full of fireworks and the salty Cornish breeze in your hair.

3. Looe: ideal for kids

If you’re the type who loves to kick off the year with a bit of fancy dress madness, Looe is your scene. Pubs, streets, and practically every nook and cranny come alive with incredible costumes, making the whole place feel like a giant, quirky masquerade ball.

But what if you’ve got young children? Head down for a special 6pm fireworks display just for the young’uns (and tired parents!), or anyone who doesn’t fancy staying up late. For everyone else, when the clock strikes midnight, follow the crowd down to the beach for a firework display on Banjo Pier that’ll light up the night sky, ushering in the new year in true Cornish style.

4. Newquay: surf’s up, party’s on

Newquay, with its epic beaches and surfer cool, transforms into a wild New Year’s haven, with plenty of parties for everyone. Pubs are buzzing, the surf vibe is contagious, and you can count down to midnight with the distant crash of waves in the background. It’s a New Year’s celebration with a dash of saltwater spirit, and we’re here for it.

See out 2023 under a coastal winter wonderland marquee at Oceanside’s New Year’s Eve Party with entertainment from live and local band The Qwest; dance, jive and have the time of your life at an ABBA-themed do at the Great Western Hotel; or head down to the harbour to see the sky light up over the bay at midnight with a fantastic fireworks display.

5. Truro: city chic countdown

For those who fancy a bit of city chic mixed with New Year’s revelry, Truro is your go-to. As Cornwall’s only city, Truro adds a touch of sophistication to its celebrations.

Imagine cobbled streets adorned with street performers and the whole place lit up like a Christmas tree. Truro’s got that perfect blend of class and party spirit, making it an ideal spot to welcome 2024 in style.

And there couldn’t be a more prestigious setting for a New Year’s party than Truro Cathedral itself, where The Cathedral Masquerade returns for a third year. Step into a whimsical world of masks, ball gowns and tuxedos to create the persona of your choice. Red carpets, drinks and canapés welcome you to the most fabulous of evenings, which includes a champagne bar, live music, DJs and a silent disco.

Whether you’re pub-hopping in Falmouth, fancy dress-ing in St Ives, watching fireworks with the kids in Looe, catching waves in Newquay, or soaking in city chic in Truro, Cornwall’s got your new year’s eve plans sorted. And we’ve got your Cornish self-catering cottage sorted. Book your new year’s break.