Cornish festivals, shows, fairs and regattas

Events are many and varied throughout Cornwall, all year round. The especially mild climate means that spring comes early and the county is often in bloom when others are still shivering. There is an array of celebrations, carnivals, festivals, Saint's day celebrations, agricultural shows, regattas and watersport championships.

Wherever you are in the county, whatever the time of year, there will be something to enjoy. Your host will be happy to tell you what's on where you are staying.  Below is just a small selection of what to expect.


5th March, St Pirans Day, Perranporth

The largest St Piran's Day event is the march across the dunes to St Piran's cross which thousands of people attend, generally dressed in black, white and gold, and carrying the Cornish Flag. A play of the Life of St Piran, in Cornish, has been enacted in recent years at the event.
 
 
10th to 11th April 2010, Cornwall Spring Flower Show, Boconnoc nr Lostwithiel

The two day show will have many Horticultural stands, competitive classes, Floral Art Display, Lectures, Botanical Art Exhibition, Art in the Garden, Live music, Catering, Plants for sale and Free parking.
 
 
24th April 2010, Trevithick Day, Camborne

Camborne Trevithick Day is an annual celebration of the heritage and mining heritage of the area, with the focus on Richard Trevithick, pioneer of high pressure steam - power. This takes the form of a community festival of free entertainment in the main streets of Camborne, which are closed for the day
 
 
1st May 2010, Padstow Obby Oss Mayday Celebrations, Padstow

The Padstow Obby Oss is reputed to be the oldest dance festival in the country.
The Day celebrates 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 decked with flags, greenery and flowers. Dances continue through the streets all day climaxing in the evening when the 2 "osses" meet for the final battle.
 
 
8th May Helston Flora Day

An ancient celebration going back to pre Christian times. The town is decorated with greenery and bluebells, and dances start at 7 am and go on all day. Elegantly dressed men, ladies and children dance in and out of houses, shops and churches to the beat of the big bass drum.
 
 
10th to 12th June 2010, Royal Cornwall Show, Wadebridge

Possibly the best County show in the Country. For three days each year the showground at Wadebridge is transformed into a living town, bustling with life, energy, agriculture, entertainment and trade. It is a significant event on the Cornish calendar with well over 110,000 people attending. Main Attractions include Flower Show - Bees - Honey & Homemade Wine - Motor Fair - Cavies - Forestry Section - Cage Birds - Food & Farming Marquee - Equine - Music/Entertainment - Young Farmers - Dog Section - Steam Fair - Poultry - Pigeons - Market Stalls and Exhibitions.
 
 
10th to 11th July 2010 Looe Festival by the Sea

The town of Looe welcomes you to the sixth Looe Festival of the Sea. The theme has always been about Looe's considerable links to the sea and this year is no exception! The event is very much a home grown celebration of all things Cornish.  Activities are many and varied including local history, culure and tradtions, food, drink and local produce, music, dance and entertainment, fishing boating and sailing.
 
 
12th July 2010, Stithians Agricultural Show, near Truro

Stithians Show is one of the largest and oldest one day shows in the country. It is held annually in July and the attendance is in excess of 20,000 people each year. Main Features:-
Horses, Cattle, Horticulture, YFC, Domestic, Poultry, Dogs and Agility, Cage Birds, Rabbits, Sheep, Goats, Pigeons, Parade of Cattle, Taste of Cornwall, WI, Steam, Vintage/Classic Vehicles and Rare Breeds, Community of Churches, Fairground, Trade Stands and Catering.
 
 
23rd to 25th July 2010,  Boconnoc Steam Rally

Boconnoc House and its surrounding estate is one of the most beautiful and historic locations in Cornwall. Come along to their annual 3 day Steam Fair .
 
 
20th to 22nd August 2010, West of England Steam Fair, Stithians nr Truro

The largest steam rally in the South West with over 50 full size steam engines plus stationary and scale steam engines, old time fairground, a large selection of vintage vehicles and moror cycles, stationary engines, heavy horses and more.
 

14th to 17 October 2010,  Falmouth Oyster Festival, Falmouth

Embarking on its fourteenth year, Falmouth Oyster Festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season, the diversity and quality of Cornish Seafood and in particular, one of the last remaining traditional oyster fisheries, dredging by sail and hand punt.