Christmas Events in Cornwall for 2024!
Whether it’s a romantic getaway for two or a whole extended family gathering, we know you love staying in our cottages in Cornwall for Christmas!
December is a special time of year here in Falmouth and the surrounding villages. We have gorgeous twinkling lights over the water, foodie Christmas specials, and lots of seasonal shows and events to keep you entertained.
Here are some of our favourite Christmas Events in Cornwall for 2024, both on our doorstep and further afield…
Magical Christmas Markets
There are plenty of festive markets around Cornwall, showcasing local producers, food and drink, arts and crafts! Perfect for unique gift shopping as well as browsing with a mulled wine in hand and soaking up the atmosphere…
Some notable locations for markets this year include Healey’s Cider Farm, Heartlands Cornwall, the Jubilee Wharf in Penryn, Porthleven Shipyard Market, The Mount Pleasant Eco Park and Lemon Quay in Truro! Check the individual pages for dates, as some run throughout December and some are specific weekend events. We also have our favourite local, Tregew Food Barn in Flushing, with their regular Saturday market, which will feel very festive!
Ice Skating at The Eden Project
Every winter, Cornwall’s only ice rink comes to life next to the iconic biomes! The Eden Project really goes to town on Christmas celebrations, including a new light and soundscape experience this year, open on selected evenings through late November, December and early January.
Ice Skating needs to be pre-booked and there are a range of sessions available for different ages, every day except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Afterwards, head for some food in their restaurants and then warm up in the beautiful Rainforest and Mediterranean biomes amongst all the exotic plants!
Falmouth’s Festive Weekend
On the 7th & 8th of December, enjoy a snowy celebration right on our doorstep! Falmouth is hosting its annual festive weekend with all the local shops and restaurants getting involved in the fun. A ‘snow’ machine on Church Street and a snow globe on the Moor have been popular photo opportunities in recent years, and there will be live musical performances across town throughout the day.
There will be a festive land train, and a Makers Market at the Poly, and entry to the National Maritime Museum is free all weekend. Falmouth Art Gallery is also hosting a day of free festive activities on Saturday. It’s a bustling weekend across the town, full of people getting into the Christmas spirit!
The Enchanting Heligan Night Garden
Each winter, the beautiful Lost Gardens of Heligan set up their iconic ‘Night Garden’ with sparkling illuminations and wildlife lanterns leading you on a magical trail throughout the estate. Firepit gathering areas are the perfect stopping points for a tasty selection of pulled meats, firecracker cranberry and mustard sausages, and hot chocolate. We have also heard rumours of marshmallows aplenty for toasting over an open fire in the cool night air!
A gorgeous ‘natural’ alternative to a glitzy town full of festive lights, the Heligan Night Garden always has rave reviews, and booking in advance is advised as it’s a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike.
Local Cornish Pantomimes
For some traditional seasonal theatre, Cornwall is well stocked with creative pantomime performances and local venues hosting a variety of shows. Perhaps the best known is Hall for Cornwall in Truro, which this year is hosting a production of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ starring the Kernow King himself, Edward Rowe. The newly renovated theatre is a treat for locals and visitors alike, and we can’t recommend it enough!
In Falmouth, Miracle Theatre returns to Princess Pavilion for their brand new production of Duffy and the Stiltskin – ‘a new take on an ancient Cornish folk tale.’ Miracle Theatre has an excellent reputation for creating amazing shows for all ages, and this is sure to be no exception!
National Trust at Christmas
We have some wonderful National Trust locations near our cottages, and they always put on the most classic and beautiful displays at Christmas, as well as some seasonal fun for the little ones.
You’ll likely pass Trelissick on your way to our cottages from Truro, and this is a wonderful place to visit during the festive season. The stunning main house is decorated with trees and lights, and you might even be serenaded with performances from local choirs.
For those with dogs (who can’t visit inside the house itself) the parkland is perfect for walking by the water and through ancient woodland, followed by a trip to the cafe and gift shop, both of which also get into the Christmas spirit. For our younger visitors, Trelissick hosts visits from Father Christmas at weekends and in the build up to Christmas too.
Our other closest garden, Glendurgan, is unfortunately closed until February, but just 40 minutes away is Godolphin House (near Helston) which is open at weekends in the run up to Christmas, and will be decorated, attended by local choirs, and serving mulled wine and mince pies! They also have Guided Tours and a range of creative workshops including Candle and Lip Balm making and Ceramic Decoration Making with the Leach Pottery. All their details can be found here.
Christmas Day & NYD Swim
Of course, if you’re here for Christmas Day itself, or celebrating the 1st of January 2025 with us here in Cornwall, you could be tempted to join in for a sea swim! Taking the plunge and swimming in the sea on these special days has become an iconic part of the Cornish Christmas calendar…
Whereas some towns on the North Coast have specific meeting times for dips, what seems to happen around the Falmouth beaches is a steady stream of swimmers and spectators throughout the day! Expect to see people making a morning of it with BBQs, prosecco and mulled wine picnics, as well as those dashing straight in and out before heading home for lunch! Whatever your Christmas Day traditions, we wonder if we can tempt you to include a cold-water dip this year?
We still have some limited availability so do look for details, or get in touch to chat about how we can create your ideal festive getaway this December…
Christmas Cottages 2024
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