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The Best Autumn Events Near Falmouth

The Best Autumn Events Near Falmouth

There is plenty going on in and around Falmouth during the Autumn, so we’ve put together a guide to some of our favourite events and things to do! There’s something for everyone, with some children’s and family-friendly events over half-term week, as well as those just for grown-ups. Embrace the change of seasons with nature walks, cosy workshops and films, or revel in the scary season towards the end of the month…

Festivals in Falmouth

Falmouth’s Oyster Festival

Falmouth’s Oyster Festival returns this year from October 9-12th, celebrating the native oyster from the Fal river, with cookery demonstrations, live music, local food traders, and a new ‘Grand Oyster Parade’ which we’re excited to see! For 2025 the festival returns to Event Square in town and also expands to the Princess Pavilion. Local artists will be hosting free painting demonstrations & Q&As at Princess Pavilion in the Garden Room, and you can hear a wide-ranging panel discussion on the Fal oyster fishery, its history, traditions and importance both locally and internationally.

Falmouth Book Festival

Falmouth Book Festival is taking place from October 20-26th, centred around The Poly on Church Street, with the children’s programme being hosted at Falmouth Library on the Moor. Now in its fifth year, they are welcoming names such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Rukmini Iyer, Fern Britton, Prue Leith, Jonn Elledge & Tom Phillips, Alexander McCall Smith, Pam Ayres and Merlin Hanbury Tenison. They have a new collaboration with the Oyster Festival, meaning that there are several cookery books on the menu this year! Expect talks, workshops, and family-friendly events featuring a range of well-known and local writers.

Museum Exhibitions

Silhouettes and Shadows

Silhouettes and Shadows at the National Maritime Museum this half-term (October 25 – November 2). Mainly aimed at younger ones, you can join in with the shadow puppet stories and songs in the Boat Hall, get creative in spooky Make & Take, and discover the seamonster in the Morgawr trail! For grown-ups the SURF! exhibition celebrates a century of surfing in Cornwall, and reveals how the county has become a global stage for surf innovation, activism and blue health. On Wednesday 15 October they are opening the boatbuilding workshop for visitors to find out more about the WW2 S.N.2 Surfboat replica build project, and on Friday 10 October you’ll find spaces filled with interesting activities and events in celebration of World Mental Health Day.

Ink Paper & Print

‘Ink Paper & Print’ at The Poly is a “celebration of illustration and print featuring some of the most amazing printmakers from Falmouth and beyond” and later in the month the stunning new seascapes exhibition from local painter Georgie Harrison will be well worth a visit!

Food & Drink Events

Two Weeks of Bavarian Flavour, Beer & Festive Cheer are coming to Harbour House this Oktoberfest: “Expect traditional Bavarian dishes (think weisswurst, grilled chicken, sauerkraut, schnitzel, salty pretzels and apple strudel), plenty of German beer, folk tunes and a bit of lederhosen if you’re up for it.” Several of our cottages are walking distance to this favourite Flushing venue, so do wander in for a visit!

Every Tuesday, join The Working Boat for a Drink and Draw session between 7pm and 9pm – the combination of waterside views and cosy pub atmosphere is sure to get your creative juices flowing. The food at the pub is also wonderful, so we think this will be a wonderful evening! You can even get the ferry there from Flushing…

INDIDOG Sunday Roasts are back and accompanied by waterside views, thoughtful wines, local spirits and draught ales. All their food is made from locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, so have been a favourite with our guests time and again!

Music, Theatre & Film Events near Falmouth

Seth Lakeman is coming to Princess Pavilion on 10th October to play ‘Folk Tales, Dartmoor Roots, and New Tunes’ inspired by the wild landscape of Devon.

Death on the Nile Film Supper is happening at Hotel Tresanton on the 30 October – in this stunning setting, get sucked into the world of Hercule Poirot as he investigates the murder of a young heiress.

There will be live music at Falmouth’s Kona Bar for their Sunday Sessions throughout the Autumn, with offers on food and drinks as you relax into the weekend atmosphere!

As always, you can check out the film schedule at The Poly for for arts and independent films, or Falmouth’s main Merlin Cinema for mainstream releases.

Halloween Events

Half Term Spookiness at Pendennis Castle promises ‘family fun and eerie entertainment’! A local performer will tell chilling Cornish ghost tales as you take interactive tours through the castle.

For the adults, you could join a Murder Mystery Evening ‘The Secret Meeting’ at Budock Vean Hotel on 7th November… “It is 1964, at the height of the Cold War and a secret meeting has been arranged for a country hotel close to the coast…but just who is the unknown Stranger?” This includes a three-course meal alongside entertainment from Murder By Appointment.

Or, combine Halloween and Oktoberfest at The Working Boat’s fancy dress evening packed with German traditions and all things spooky for a Halloween-themed beer festival. They know how to throw a party, hosting multiple events throughout the year which are always well attended and well recommended!