10 Things to do in Cornwall this Christmas

1. Ice Skating by the Sea

17 November 2025 – 11 January 2026

Imagine stepping off the beach and gliding across the ice – festive lights overhead, the scent of woodfired pizza and mulled spices drifting on the salty sea breeze. This winter, Cornwall’s first ice rink on the edge of the Atlantic opens at Watergate Bay – adding a new twist to Christmas by the sea. Set above the two-mile surf beach, just a 25-minute drive from Padstow, the ice rink is open from 17 November to 11 January. Skating sessions will run daily, with family-friendly, accessible and adults-only hours.

2. Christmas at the Eden Project

Photo Courtesy of Eden Project

21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026

As always, the Eden Project is putting on sparkling Yuletide celebrations, including mesmerising light displays, a spellbinding theatrical performance with Father Christmas and his elves, and a magical ice rink. Wander through the twinkling night-time wonderland of the biomes, meet the man in red, take a twirl around the ice and feel the season’s glow with belly-warming food and drink. A 45-minute drive from Padstow, the Eden Project is our favourite festive family day out in Cornwall.

3. Mousehole Christmas Lights

11 December 2025 – 5 January 2026

Festive merrymakers flock to this picture-postcard village to witness the famous Mousehole Lights – one of the best Christmas lights displays in Cornwall. Seeing the harbour festooned with lights in the shapes of boats, sea creatures and Christmas characters is a spectacle worth the trip from any corner of the county. While they twinkle into early January, the best night to visit is Tom Bawcock’s Eve, two days before Christmas. In commemoration of the legend of a local fisherman who braved stormy winter seas to go fishing and saved the village from famine, a huge stargazey pie is served, alongside Christmas carols and mulled wine by the sea.

4. Christmas at Trelissick

Photo courtesy of National Trust

6 December 2025 – 4 January 2026

Enjoy a Nadelik Lowen at Trelissick Gardens on the edge of the River Fal, where you can wander twinkling, tree-lined pathways on the Christmas trail, be serenaded by local choirs, and book an audience with Father Christmas to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list. Get your hands on Christmas gifts in the shop, tuck into winter warmers in the tea room, and step into the historic house festooned with flower displays and twinkling decorations inspired by Cornish traditions and folklore.

5. Winter Wood, Tehidy Country Park

Photo courtesy of Rogue Otherworld.

7–30 December 2025

Step into the woods in the wildest part of Cornwall, where the land meets the swirling sea, and winter magic happens in the trees. Meet Old Man Winter and lose yourself in a dreamscape with flying deer, fire twirling and a brilliant new story that will whisk you into the magic of Christmas under the spell of Rogue Otherworld.

6. The Cratchit’s Christmas Cracker

Photo courtesy of Carn to Cove.

4 December 2025

You’re invited to the Cratchit family’s Christmas party. Head to Mawgan Porth village hall for a festive feast of seasonal silliness and a merry mixture of Yuletide foolery. The Cratchit’s Christmas Cracker is created and performed by Mary Woodvine, Craig Johnson and Jenny Beare of Wildworks, Kneehigh and Minack fame. Be warned that children aged 10+ are welcome, but these parlour games and festive songs were made for adults…

7. Christmas Day Sea Dip

25 December 2024

Like we said, we like to celebrate Christmas a little differently in Cornwall, and one of our longstanding traditions in towns and villages across the county is a Christmas Day dip. From Penzance to Polzeath, you’ll find communities gathering on the beaches after opening their stockings, and charging into bracing seas with little more than a Santa hat and swimmers on. Hot chocolate and dry robes are recommended, but what better way to work up an appetite for that Christmas feast?

8. Heligan Night Garden

Photo courtesy of Lost Gardens of Heligan

15 November 2025 – 3 January 2026

Ignite all your senses on an enchanting lantern experience set amidst the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Wait for night to fall to follow the magical trail around Heligan, under magical illuminations, glittering tunnels of light and larger-than-life wildlife lanterns celebrating the gardens and estate. Along the way, pause to roast marshmallows on the fire, sip mulled wine and visit the farm animals.

9. The Montol Festival

Photo courtesy of Montol Festival

21 December 2025

Celebrate mid-winter and experience Cornish Christmas traditions at the Montol Festival in Penzance. Traditionally, the day of the feast of St Thomas, the festival is held on the winter solstice, marking the symbolic death and rebirth of the sun. A reinterpretation of old Cornish rituals, the celebration features fire breathers, ‘obby ‘osses, musicians, Christmas carol singers, choirs, dancers and evening markets — plus mulled wine (or two).

10. Festive Afternoon Tea by the Sea

Throughout the festive period

Away from the grand Christmas spectacles, there’s no better way to sink into the festive season than with an exhilarating coastal walk followed by festive treats with a sea view. Take a blustery walk along the wave-lashed Fistral Beach, then warm up with a festive afternoon tea at Fistral Beach Hotel, where you can fill up on Christmas-themed savoury and sweet treats while gazing at the spectacular North Coast scenery.

Find the Perfect Place to Stay in Padstow this Christmas

Padstow is a fantastic place to visit during winter to experience the wonderful things to do in Cornwall at Christmas. This pretty harbour town gets into the spirit of Christmas with twinkly harbourside lights, beautiful boutiques for last-minute shopping and a wide choice of restaurants and pubs for festive food and cheer.

Want more Yuletide fun? See our guide to Cornwall’s best Christmas markets. And don’t forget the Padstow Chritsmas Fayre which is back this year from 4-7 December.

Browse our collection of holiday cottages in and around Padstow and find the perfect pad for your Christmas holiday in Cornwall.