Best Christmas Markets in Cornwall to Visit this Winter

Twinkly lights, mountains of scrumptious festive fare, steaming mugs of mulled cider and rosy-cheeked artisans selling unique, hand-crafted gifts to pile under the tree and stuff into stockings… Don’t wait for the Christmas holidays to get festive in Cornwall; time your trip to visit some of the spectacular array of Christmas fairs in the run-up to Rudolph’s rounds. Between wild walks, bracing dips and cosy nights in beside the log burner, here are the best Christmas markets in Cornwall to visit this winter. 

Bedruthan Christmas Fair, Mawgan Porth

18-19 November 2023

Meet an incredible array of Cornwall’s finest crafters, creators and artisans, who gather in the beachside Bedruthan hotel for this annual seasonal fair. With shuttles from the beach below, you can stay in Mawgan Porth or combine your visit with a brisk winter’s walk on its golden sands, before warming up with mince pies and a festive afternoon tea, getting creative at craft workshops, and blitzing your Christmas list with unique arts, ceramics, homewares and gifts for all your friends and relatives.

Healeys Christmas Markets, Penhallow

11 November – 17 December

For a series of six weekends in the build-up to Christmas proper, Healey’s Cyder Farm transforms into a festive fairytale world. Whet your Christmas appetite with mulled cyder, festive food and Cornish crafts, amidst Christmas songs and hearty yuletide cheer. Located in Penhallow, near Perranporth, Healey’s is a short drive from our cottages in the Padstow area and worth the round-trip to get into the festive spirit and stock up on stocking fillers.

Cornwall Christmas Fair at the Eden Project

22-23 November 2023

Dubbed ‘Cornwall’s Most Vibrant Christmas Fair’, this festive extravaganza is up against stiff competition. Eden’s mega-star domes always dress well for the Christmas celebrations, but for these two days in November expect some extra sparkle between the biomes, where you can fill your (re-usable) shopping bags with glorious gifts and artisan foods. Not only can you ensure you’re buying some of the most carefully sourced, hand-crafted creations in Cornwall, the proceeds are supporting the Cornwall Community Foundation.

The Big Christmas Market, Truro 

29 November – 24 December 2023

Light up your spirits with the yuletide buzz of Cornwall’s biggest Christmas market in the heart of its capital city. From Wednesday to Sunday, for the whole month running up to Christmas, the centre of Truro is bedecked with festive sparkle and rows of cosy wooden cabins touting artisan gifts from the most talented local craftspeople and small food producers. Lap up the sights, sounds and flavours of a Cornish Christmas, as you fill your bellies with mince pies and mulled wine, your bags with beautiful gifts and your ears with festive music.

Padstow Christmas Festival 

7-10 December 2023

There are so many reasons to stay in Padstow in the winter. But if you time your visit to coincide with the Padstow Christmas Festival, you’re in for a real treat. Located on the harbourside, just a stone’s throw from the Harbour Holidays office, this event is one of the best Christmas markets in Cornwall and one of the region’s finest foodie-focussed festivals. As well as celeb chefs conjuring up some of the best Christmas dishes in the Festival Kitchen, and artisans selling a spectacular array of food, gifts and tipples on the edge of the twinkly harbour, there are also fireworks, street processions and live music. Book a local holiday property and join us for this exciting weekend.

Bude Beach Hut Christmas Market, Crooklets Beach

9-10 December 2023

Delight in the festive fusion of beach life and Christmas shopping, as the colourful beach huts on Crooklets are transformed into a winter wonderland of crafts and food stands. Sip mulled wine, munch on mince pies and listen to live music beside the waves, while ticking off your gift list with wonderful wares from local artisans who set up their stands beside the shoreline. With a Beach Hut Santa’s Grotto, face painting and hair braiding, there’s plenty to distract the kids while you browse for stocking fillers.

Fowey Christmas Market 

8-10 December 2023

The quaint maritime town of Fowey comes alive with festivities as its quayside and town hall are laced with a sparkly smorgasbord of delectable local fare, yuletide tipples, handcrafted gifts and family entertainment. Meet Santa, fill your stockings, watch magical processions and feast on the festive spirit at the Fowey Christmas Market.

Jubilee Wharf Christmas Fair, Penryn

16-17 December 2023

Peruse this maritime town’s arts, crafts and culinary delights at this vibrant Christmas market that lights up the iconic wharf with festive flair. Whether you want to warm up with Cornish-distilled spirits made from local botanicals, feast on foraged festive fare, or fill your stockings with hand-crafted gifts, make a beeline for the waterside and grab your last-minute Christmas goodies from this hive of artisan makers on Cornwall’s south coast.

Nadelik Christmas Market, Heartlands, Redruth

2-3 December 2023

This Christmas market is the place to sip eggnog, stuff your stockings with one-of-a-kind treasures from local artisans, and be serenaded through this parkland attraction by live music and carols. With heart-warming seasonal treats, mulled wine, a visit from Santa and a sprinkling of snow, Christmas is a magical time to visit this Cornish Mining World Heritage Site in the heart of Cornwall.

Book a Break to Visit Cornwall’s Christmas Markets

Why not head to Cornwall for your Christmas shopping this year and combine a break in Padstow with a trip to some of the county’s best Christmas markets? Check out our selection of cosy cottages in and around Padstow in North Cornwall, and fill up on festive spirit beside the sea.