Tourism in Penzance & West Cornwall

2012 Events Diary for Penzance & West Cornwall


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There are many events and activities in, and around, Penzance during 2012.

April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Date

 

Venue

 

Event

 

Contact

2012

           
All Year            
Every Thursday   Penzance   Market in St John’s Hall
from 08.30 to 1pm selling a wide range of locally grown produce, as well as bread and cakes.
   
Every Friday   Penzance   Penzance Farmers’ Market
from 10am in front of St Johns Hall. Local produce, meat, fish, bread, chocolate, wine and lots more. Special events are also held regularly. (Winter & bad weather venue inside St Johns Hall)
   
1st & 3rd Saturday of every month   Pendeen   Pendeen Farmer's Market
10am - 1pm, indoors at the centre of Pendeen,
  Yvonne Bristow
Tel: 01736-788202
Every Tuesday   Sennen   Sennen Food & Craft Market
9.00am - 12 noon, Sennen Commujnity Hall. Voted best Farmer's market in Cornwall for the past 2 years. Meat, Vegetables, Fish, Cheese, Bread, Olives, Curry Sauces, honey & preserves, plants,cakes plus craft stalls and cafe.
  Ruth Beresford
Tel: 01736-788716
Every Thursday   St Ives   Farmer's Market
9.30am - 3.00pm, The Backpackers, St Ives. Local and seasonal food and drink, including vegetables, fruit, meat, bread, cakes, cheese and more.
 

Tim
Tel:01736-795387

Summertime            
       

During the summer there will be numerous events held on the Promenade and elsewhere in the town on an almost weekly basis. Keep watching the local press and this website for details.

   
             
April            
6-9 April   Newlyn   Trereife Easter Fine Food & Craft Fair
A fun day out for all the family including Trereife's ever popular children's Easter Egg Hunt, the best of local food and drink suppliers, cookery demonstrations, Cornish designer-makers and live entertainment throughout the weekend.
  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk
             
May            
1 May   Padstow   "Obby Oss"
Celebration of the Celtic festival of Beltane - the spring festival dedicated to the return of the Celtic sun god Bel, that causes the crops to grow and the hours of daylight to lengthen. The town is dressed with greenery and flowers are placed around a maypole. The climax arrives when male dancers cavort through the town dressed as one of two 'Obby 'Osses, the "Old" and the "Blue Ribbon" 'Obby 'Osses; as the name suggests, they are stylised kinds of horses.
  Tel: 01841-533449
1 May   Newlyn & Penzance   Penzance May Horns
The town's annual celebration of the coming of May and summer. All are welcome but white or green clothing is a must. The day starts with The May Horns Picnic and Fair at Trereife at 11 am. There will be a variety of events for people of all ages, including Maypole dressing, workshops to learn traditional crafts, storytelling, acrobatics. At noon, people will gather in the grounds of the Queen Anne House for the traditional May picnic and to take the opportunity to relax in the lovely grounds. Later on, participants gather for a procession starting at the Tolcarne Inn Newlyn at 8pm. The evening ends with fire performances and the annual May Horns Party at the Admiral Benbow.
  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk
4-7 May   Isles of Scilly   World Pilot Gig Championships
Rowing gig racing off St Marys in the 23rd annual World Pilot Gig Championships on the Isles of Scilly. The races start on Friday night. Last year more than 130 gigs took part.
 

Tel: 01720-422536
Email: rickpersich@aol.com

5 May   Hayle   The Late Spring Show
Iin aid of The Phoenix Stroke Appeal at Hayle RFC Ground. There will be a children's pet show, motorbike parade and stalls between 11am and 3pm. Organised by Hayle Lions.
   
6 May   Pendeen  

Pendeen Rally
Hundreds of visitors come every year to this pop­ular rally at Geevor Tin Mine to en­joy a fine selection of vintage vehicles, steam engines, motorbikes, tractors and static engines.

  Tel: 01736 788446.
8 May   Helston   Flora Day
Famous traditional "furry" dance. Helston Flora Day starts at 7.00am with colourful dancing through the streets all day. The Hal-An-Tow (a story and dance by costumed performers) takes place at 8.30am with a Children's Dance at 9am. The main dance is at 12 noon. The streets and houses of Helston are specially decorated for the day. There are stalls and entertainment
  Tel: 01326-572063
Web: www.helstonfloraday.org.uk
9-20 May   Fowey   Daphne du Maurier Festival
The Daphne du Maurier Festival, Fowey, is a wonderful 10 days of entertainment, featuring star names, talks, walks, theatre, concerts, and free entertainment.
  Tel: 01726-879500
Web: www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk/
12-13 May & 19-20 May   Godrevy, Hayle   Sea-Kayak Competition
At Godrevy beach, this is a national event bringing down many national water sport enthusiasts.
   
13 May   St Buryan   St Buriana Feast
This always celebrated on the Sunday nearest to May 13, which actually turns out to be May 13 this year, though St Buriana's official day May 1. Fancy dress and competions for village youngsters feature highly with other entertainment for the adults.
   
19 May   Lands End, Newlyn, Penzance, Marazion, etc.   Olympic Torch Relay
The Olympic Torch will tour England on its way to the Olympic Stadium in East London. Starting at Land's End at 7.30am, the torch will pass through Newlyn, Penzance, Marazion, Rosudgeon, Ashton and Breage. Each community is currently organising its own events to celebrate.
  Anna Druce
Tel: 01872 322871
21-27 May   St Ives  

St Ives Food and Drink Festival
The festival includes food and drink stalls at West Pier and cooking demos on the harbour beach.

   
26-27 May   Hayle   Hayle Model Railway Club
Exhibition at Hayle Day Care Centre. Open on Saturday between 10am and 5pm and on Sunday between 10am and 4pm .
   
             
June          
1-10 June   Falmouth   Fal River Festival
The Festival is all about celebrating life on the river Fal in Cornwall & encompasses over 130 events which range from music and drama, the arts and heritage to rowing races, triathlons and walks. The festival, established in 2006, is celebration of life on the river, a chance to really embrace the places, people, history and culture that are connected by this very Cornish river.
  Tel: 01326-211522
Web: www.falriverfestival.co.uk
2-5 June   all around West Cornwall  

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Events are expected to be taking place across West Cornwall - see local press for details.

   
15-17 June   Falmouth   International Sea Shanty Festival
The Festival was founded and is organised by Falmouth Shout. Continuing work by Falmouth Shout, with the support of the RNLI has ensured that it has become a successful and popular event.
  Tel: 01326-312300
Web:www.falmouthshout.com/festival.html
16-24 June   Penzance   Golowan Festival
Now in its 22nd year, Golowan (the feast of St. John) combines the local and the global with a heady mix of Cornish and world music, dance, film and literature. Sponsors and volunteers to help keep it going are always welcome.
  Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 369686
Email: office@golowan.org
Web: www.golowan.org
22 June   Penzance   Summer Fire
A magnificent late-evening fireworks display above the Jubilee Pool from 11.15pm
  Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 369686
Email: office@golowan.org
Web: www.golowan.org
23 June   Penzance   Mazey Day
Festival, Parades & Street Market in Penzance. The town is transformed with greenery, banners, street theatre and processions of giant imagery.
  Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 369686
Email: office@golowan.org
Web: www.golowan.org
24 June   Penzance   Quay Fair Day
Penzance Harbour. Traditional and working boats, market stalls, street acts and GOLympics, the very first Golowan games with wacky games to watch and take part in.
  Golowan Office
Tel: 01736 369686
Email: office@golowan.org
Web: www.golowan.org
24 June   Hayle  

Hayle in Bloom
A community celebration day at King George V Memorial Walk from midday onwards. The walk will be closed for cars to make room for charity and community stalls, choirs and bands.

   
29 June - 1 July   Marazion  

Marazion Armed Forces' Weekend
Taking over three large fields in the village, the event is organised by the South West Battle Group and will include living his­tory and weapon displays, 1940s mu­sical entertainment, battles and bomb disposal displays.

  Web: www.southwestbattle group.org.uk
30 June   Penzance   Penzance Regatta
Penzance Sailing Club host sailing championship races
  Tel: 01736 364989
Web: www.pzsc.org.uk
             

July

         
6-8 July   Mousehole   Sea Salts & Sail Festival
This year is the ninth biennial festival in Mousehole Harbour which promotes our maritime heritage, revives old traditions and introduces new items each year and welcomes the traditional sailing vessels which present a spectacular sight when out sailing around the bay.
  Web: www.seasalts.co.uk
9-21 July   St Just   Lafrowda Festival
Festival of music, dance, theatre, and arts displaying the talents of West Cornwall. The two-week traditional festival irivals Golowan as the jewel in west Cornwall's summer festival crown. This year's theme is centred on the Olympics.
  Tel: 01736 788906
Web: www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk
14 July   Praze, nr Helston  

Praze Show and Fair
This local fair gives the locals the chance to show off their animals, home skills, art and photography

   
14 July   Sancreed  

Sancreed Pig Walk
With pigs being historically important to the village, Sancreed created its pig walk a few years ago. With the help of local artists, the youth club created a massive pig out of cane and tissue paper, which is carried around the lanes of Sancreed Beacon. Afterwards, there are stalls at the village hall and then villagers share a meal.

   
16 July   Stithians, nr Helston   Stithians Show
The largest one-day agricultural and country show in Cornwall
  Tel: 01209-861073
Web: www.stithiansshow.org.uk
21 July   St Just   Lafrowda Day
Join the people of St Just in Penwith between 11.00 am and midnight for this unique community celebration, where Cornish traditions and modern creativity fuse to provide the high spot of the week-long Lafrowda Festival. With thirteen hours of free entertainment, music to suit every taste, and huge animated sculptures stalking through the town, there’s fun for all the family. All this and street theatre, children’s activities, stalls, refreshments.
  Tel: 01736 788906
Web: www.lafrowda-festival.co.uk
21-27 July   Marazion   Solo National Championships
Mounts Bay Sailing Club host sailing championship races
  Tel: 01736-710620
Web: www.mbsc.org.uk
22 July   Marazion  

Marazion Carnival
This year the popular carnival will have an Olympic theme. As well as the popular collections of bands and other entertainment, organisers are planning to put on a games-style event with local teams competing in a variety of fun contests.

  Ed Hall
Tel: 07890-898982
25-29 July   Penzance   Penzance Literary Festival
The third annual festival is due to take place with 'journeys' this year's theme. Poets, publishers, story-tellers and singers are all being encouraged to sign-up to speak at the event.
  Web: www.penzance-literary-festival.org.uk
26 July   Land's End   Air Sea Rescue Day
Raising funds for the coastal rescue services, with events throughout the day. Live air and sea rescue display team.
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
28 & 31 July   Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End and also on every Tuesday and Thursday evening during August. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
28-29 July   St Buryan   St Buryan Rally
A huge collection of steam engines, vintage tractors, motorcycles, cars and stationary engines will all most likely cram into the usual venue of Treyorgans Farm for the family show organised by St Buryan Agricultural Society
  Les Hosking
Tel: 01736-710745   
             

August

         
throughout
August
  Land's End   Magic in the Skies, Land's End
Fireworks Spectacular on the cliffs at Land's End every Tuesday and Thursday evening during August. Fun and entertainment from 7.00pm. Fireworks at dusk. (Display subject to weather conditions)
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
1-17 August   St Just   Cape Cornwall Arts and Crafts Exhibition
Large exhibition of local crafts, paintings etc. Opportunity to buy locally produced goods. 20% of the proceeds go towards Cancer Research.
  Tel: 01736-788840
3-6 August   Mousehole  

Mousehole Carnival
Hundreds of people flock to the seaside village of Mousehole to enjoy the four-day event which combines art, music and entertain­ment. Children and big kids alike can all make the most of the bouncy castles, sand- castle competition, merry-go-round and Mousehole's Got Talent contest.

  Tel: 01736-732532
Web: www.mousehole.org.uk
4 August   Goldsithney   Charter Fair
This local event is steeped in history and tradition. A fair was previously held in the village of Sithney, wrestling was the main feature and the good St Perran would hand a glove to the victor as a prize. The winner would also be permitted to collect the market toll on the day of the feast. Times have moved on and the fair has changed somewhat with music, stalls, food and entertainers providing the major draw.
 

Tel: 01736-710619
Web: www.goldsithneycharterfair.org

4 August   Hayle  

Hayle Summer Carnival
Judging takes place at 6pm at Hayle day care centre followed by the parade at 7pm .

   
5 August   Hayle  

Hayle Raft Race
Starting at Copperhouse Pool, at noon. Signing in takes place at the swimming pool car park.

   
5-7 August   Newlyn  

Trereife Summer Festival of Fine Food, Art and Craft
A celebration of the finest Food, Art and Craft from around West Cornwall. Entertainment and refreshments throughout the weekend.

  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk
7 August   Morvah   Morvah Pasty Day
Sideshows, live local bands, pasties and refreshments in the Church. Free entry and free parking in the field.
  Tel: 01736-787808
Web: www.morvah.com
9 August   Lands End   Merlin Day
A day to celebrate the mystical magic of Land’s End with entertainment inspired by the world of King Arthur, with aerial displays, live music and street entertainment.
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
11-19 August   Falmouth   Henry Lloyd Falmouth Week
Sailing regatta and numerous marine events in, and around, the River Fal
  Tel: 01326-312300
Web: www.falmouthweek.co.uk
16 August   Lands End   Pirate Day
Land’s End is taken over by Pirates in this day full of swashbuckling fun. There are lots of activities and competitions, plus a display by the Wingwalkers aerosuperbatic team.
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
16 August   St Ives  

St Ives Lifeboat Day
Ffrom 10am outside the lifeboat house. There will be commercial and charity stalls, plus lifeboat and search and rescue helicopter demonstrations.

   
17-19 August   Newlyn  

Hidden Art Design Fair
Trereife House, Newlyn. The best of the county's design and craft skills will be on show at the annual Hidden Art event this weekend. There is something for all the family, from individual designer-maker stalls filling three marquees to the Hidden Art curated exhibition inside Trereife House.

 

Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk

19-25 August   Fowey   Fowey Regatta Week
Daily sailing races and a number of other themed events mixed into the week including a midweek Carnival, Red Arrows display and ending with a spectacular Firework display over the harbour.
  Tel: 01726-833616
Web: www.rfyc-fowey.org.uk
23 August   Lands End   Air Ambulance Day
Celebrate 25 years of the Cornwall Air Ambulance with lots of fundraising activities and entertainment. A fun day to raise money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Bric-a-brac, competitions and a visit from the Air Ambulance.
  Tel: 0871-720-0044
Web: www.landsend-landmark.co.uk
25-26 August   Hayle  

Hayle Model Railway Club
Exhibition at Hayle Day Care Centre. Open on Saturday between 10am and 5pm and on Sunday between 10am and 4pm .

   
25-26 August   Marazion  

Marazion Working Horse Day
Oorganised by Cornish Horse Power, the Working Horse day will include an agricultural day and harvest day as well as a dog show. Money raised will be donated to charity. For more information visit

  Web: www.cornish- horsepower.co.uk
26 August   Marazion   Mounts Bay Regatta
Mounts Bay Sailing Club host sailing club annual regatta races
  Tel: 01736 710620
Web: www.mbsc.org.uk
26 August   Newlyn   Party in the Park
Trereife Park, Newlyn. Held in association with The Studio Bar, the event is being held under cover in Marquees in the beautiful and historic grounds Trereife Park, 1/2 mile west of Penzance on the A30 Lands End road. The event is aimed at giving local bands a chance to perform in front of a diverse crowd.
  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk
27 August   Newlyn  

Trereife Country Fair
Trereife House, Newlyn. Heavy horse display, horse and hound show, falconry display, companion dog show, ferret racing, vintage vehicle show, Cornish wrestling, children's rides, pottery, wood and metal demonstrations, jazz and acoustic performers. Also a mixed range of food and craft stalls.

  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk
27 August   Newlyn   Newlyn Fish Festival
Newlyn Harbour. In its 22nd year, the festival celebrates Newlyn as a major fishing port. The fish market is filled with stalls, cookery demonstrations, exhibitions, music, street entertainment and displays about the fishing industry past and present.
  Tel: 01736 336335
Web: www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk
             

September

         
8-22 September   St Ives   St Ives September Festival
St Ives hosts a major two week Festival of Music and the Arts with a wide variety of events including roots/jazz/blues, classical, theatre, films, poetry and literature, and open studios at venues throughout the town.
  Tel: 01736 366077
Web: www.stivesseptemberfestival.co.uk
14-16 September   Marazion  

Festival of Sport Cornwall
Held at the St Aubyn Estates, Marazion, the three-day competition is open to people of all sporting abilities. Beach sports including touch rugby and volleyball will be played, with triathlons.

  Web: www.festivalofsport.net
15 September   St Ives   Harbour Swimming Gala
The St. Ives annual round-the-harbour swim for town residents dates back to the 1870s.
   
22-23 September   Porthcurno  

Proms at the Minack Theatre
Get your flags and whistles at the ready as the stunning stage at Porthcurno hosts its own proms concert, complete with a traditional Last Night Of The Proms atmosphere to make a great end to the season.

  Web: www.minack.com
             

October

         
11-14 October   Falmouth   Falmouth Oyster Festival
With cookery demos, oyster and seafood bars, fantastic music line up and more. Timed to coincide with the start of the oyster harvesting season, the Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the quality of Cornish seafood.
  Tel: 01326-312300
Web: www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk/
13 October   Paul, nr Mousehole  

Paul Feast
The Western Hunt gets festivities under way on Feast Monday when it meets at the green before setting out for a morning ride. Then visitors and residents can check out the many stalls lining the village streets. A major feature of the feast is the annual boules grudge match as the people of Paul take on Mousehole.

   
26 October - 4 November   Penzance  

Penzance Proms
Music festival with local and visiting acts set to entertain the crowds. The event kicks off with The Crazy World of Arthur Brown at The Acorn.

  Web: www.penzanceproms.co.uk
             

November

         
3 November   Newlyn  

Cornish Horse Power match
To be staged at Trewidden Farm, near Penzance with cobs and Clydesdales expected to be a part of the action. .

  Web: www.cornishhorsepower.co.uk
12-14 November   Newlyn  

Newlyn Arts Festival
The festival, which is held at the Newlyn Art Gallery and at other venues around the port, aims to celebrate its creativity - with the open artists' studios being a major highlight.

   
23-25 November   Newlyn   Christmas Gift Fair
Trereife Christmas Fair starts off with a Sky Lantern fundraiser for BBC Children In Need. The park and house will be lit up by early Christmas lights, creating a magical atmosphere. Enjoy lots of entertainment, food and mulled wine.
  Tel: 01736-362750
Web: www.trereifepark.co.uk

December

         
December to early-January   Penzance   Town Centre illuminations    
7 December   St Ives   Christmas Lights
Switch-on outside the St Ives Guildhall at 6pm
   
21 December
  Penzance   Montol Festival
Montol is a festival based on the Midwinter (From Advent to Candlemas) and Nadelik (Christmas) traditions of Cornwall and in particular the traditions of Penzance. There is a wide range of activities such as Guise Dancing, lighting the Mock, lantern parades, a Montol Market and much more, culminating in Montol Eve on the 21st of December.
  Tel: 01736-351923
Web: www.montol.co.uk
14 December
to early-January
  Newlyn   Christmas Harbour Lights
Illuminations around the harbour and village
   
15 December
to early-January
  Mousehole   Christmas Harbour Lights
Illuminations around the harbour and village
  Web: www.mousehole.org.uk
23 December   Penzance  

Cornwall Horse Power
A fundraising event with horse-drawn carriages making their way through Penzance town centre. The event begins at 11am.

  Web: www.cornish-horsepower.co.uk
23 December   Mousehole   Tom Bawcock’s Eve
Fishing heritage celebration with Starry Gazey Pie, centred on the famous Ship Inn at Mousehole
   

 

For more information, dates etc. please contact Penzance Tourism Office, tel: 01736-335530 or email westcornwall@nationaltrust.org.uk

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