Cornwall’s Best Music Festivals in 2026
The one and only Boardmasters. Photo by Sam McMahon.
Where else can you dance on the cliff tops, sing along with sea shanties beside the harbour, and watch international headliners with a backdrop of Eden’s biomes?
Cornwall’s summer festivals are all about the setting. Think big-name acts by the waves, family-friendly vibes, and wild parties under the stars. Welcome to a festival line-up with a distinctly Cornish twist – and something for everyone.
Here’s our pick of the best summer music festivals in Cornwall for 2026 – all within easy reach of our Harbour Holidays cottages, so there’s no need for camping.
RATTLER FEST
24-25 April 2026, Truro
This adults-only festival kicks off the season in celebration of all things Rattler at Healeys Cyder Farm. Alongside full-throttle party vibes there’s a Mr & Mrs Rattler competition, a yodelling competition (yes, really) apres ski lodge sessions, fairground rides and a silent disco in the orchard. Not far from Newquay’s beaches, why not ease your hangover with a stay at one of our beach cottages in Mawgan Porth?
TUNES IN THE DUNES
5-7 June 2026, Perranporth
Surf by day and party by night on Perranporth’s wave-lashed golden sands. At one of the UK’s only music festivals to take place bang on the beach, world-class acts play to the beat of the ocean. This year the line-up includes Basement Jaxx and The Wombats. A little less mega than August’s famous Boardmasters, Tunes in the Dunes is the perfect lineup for surfers and music lovers.
Why not combine your festival experience with a surfing holiday by staying in one of our North Cornwall cottages?
THE GREAT ESTATE
29-31 May 2026, Redruth
Ready the glitter for a rambunctious weekender where you can stretch into the day with yoga and dance into the night with drag queens – via Pimms in the afternoon and world-famous headliners at sunset.
A firm family favourite, expect a lively collection of entertainment for all ages, from old-fashioned sports day races, yoga sessions and comedy acts, to a silent disco, circus workshop and headliners – this year including the Kaiser Chiefs and Skunk Anansie.
FALMOUTH INTERNATIONAL SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL
12-14 June 2026, Falmouth
Come and celebrate Cornwall’s rich maritime heritage with boot-stomping songs of the sea. At Europe’s largest, free nautical music festival, over 70 local and international sea shanty groups come together and perform in venues across this vibrant harbour town. Coinciding with the Falmouth Classics Regatta it’s all-out maritime fiesta, well worth the journey to the south coast from your holiday home on the north shore.
PARADHIS FESTIVAL
3-5 July 2026, Lostwithiel
Fancy a festival-style retreat? Set in sprawling country estate near Lostwithiel, music and wellbeing dance together at the Paradhis Festival. From wild swimming and cacao ceremonies, to barefoot running and bushcraft, this is a wellbeing experience for wild souls. And you won’t have to scrimp on the full-throttle music experience: from sound waves and sound baths, to world music and world-class headliners.
TROPICAL PRESSURE
10-12 July 2026, Porthtowan
Dig out your most colourful costume for Tropical Pressure – an electrifying fusion of music, food and workshops celebrating the vibrant cultures of Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. Get your ticket early, as only a few thousand lucky ticket holders get entry to this incredible combo of live bands, world-renowned DJs, dreamy sunsets and eco-friendly festival vibes. It’s a tropical weekend experience wrapped into a stunning site overlooking Porthtowan.
THE WILD GARDENS
16-19 July 2026, Port Eliot, Southeast Cornwall
Set in the enchanting grounds of Port Eliot, the Wild Gardens festival packs a whopping dose of wellbeing and immersive experiences into its music offerings. With Skeptic and Sub Focus on the decks, you’ll need your dancing shoes, but you can revive in the riverside spa with a sauna and hot tub, and perk up with a cheeky Prosecco by the fire pit.
ROCK OYSTER FESTIVAL
23-26 July 2026, Dinham House, Rock
Hands-down one of our favourite summer festivals with a huge local following, the Rock Oyster Festival beckons families, foodies and music lovers to a prime location overlooking the Camel Estuary. This year we can’t wait to see Raymond Blanc in the kitchen and Scissor Sisters on the stage, alongside a heady mix of music, artisan grub, well-being workshops and interactive kids’ sessions. Lucky for us, it’s only a short hop from our base here in Padstow – so there’s no shortage of holiday cottages on the doorstep.
EDEN SESSIONS
Various dates in June and July 2026, St Austell
No matter how many times you’ve been, that first glimpse of Eden’s glowing biomes never loses its magic. Pair it with live music from top-tier bands and you’ve got a festival experience like no other. Well-loved on the UK festival circuit, the Eden Sessions brings big names to this iconic Cornish setting – and 2026 is set to be a standout year with Wolf Alice, Snow Patrol and the Pixies in the line-up.
Our tip: arrive early – your ticket includes admission to the Eden Project, so you can explore the rainforest, gardens and outdoor sculptures before the music kicks off.
BOARDMASTERS
5-9 August 2025, Newquay
Brace yourself for the biggest event in Cornwall’s festival calendar. This world-famous surf and music festival brings a battle of the surf pros to Newquay’s waves, and a line-up of big-name bands to the clifftops of Watergate Bay. Fat Boy Slim, The Kooks, Loyle Carner and Kasabian have already been announced for this year, alongside all sorts of watersports, yoga and wellbeing offerings on the programme. It’s only a 20-minute drive from Padstow, but for close proximity, pick a holiday home in Mawgan Porth.
Tunes in the Park
27-30 August 2026, Southeast Cornwall
Port Eliot has long been home to one of Cornwall’s quirkiest festivals, where literary stars, rock stars and party goers mingle on the banks of the River Tamar. The ‘Port Eliot Festival’ had its last hurrah in 2019, but what’s been re-invented as Tunes in the Park, bears an uncanny resemblance to its predecessor, with a heady mix of comedy, literature, food, music and wellbeing in this sprawling country estate.
Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival
11-13 September 2026, Truro
When the summer holidays come to an end, the festival season just keeps rolling… The Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival is a true Cornish celebration of September blessings, with its homage to quality local cider and first-class music in the beautiful setting of Healey’s Cyder Farm. As well as toe-tapping tunes from the region’s best bands, there’s the Rattler Olympics, the Zen Den, a Craft Corner and all sorts of interactive workshops for fun and frolics.
Kernowfornia Festival
4-6 September 2026, Looe
Head to Cornwall before the sun sets on the season’s beach parties, and experience this independent net-zero festival on the beautiful Looe Beach. Starsailor, James Morrison and Reef are amongst this year’s bands by the sands, alongside three days of good food, fireworks and all-out festival vibes.
Combine a Music Festival With a Holiday in Cornwall
With music festivals happening throughout the summertime, why not book a holiday to coincide with one of these fun-packed parties? Head over to our accommodation search to check availability for your stay.
