Harbour Holidays

Cornwall Summer Festival Guide

Enchanting music, exotic foods, exciting sports and extraordinary entertainment await at Cornwall’s summer festivals. Hop along and join in the fun.

Cornwall is at its coolest and most vibrant in the heat of summer. There’s a great atmosphere as holidaymakers mingle with locals at festivals and events throughout Cornwall. From music and comedy, to literature and sports, to food and drink, there’s a whole raft of cool summer events to enjoy while on holiday. Here we feature some of our favourite local festivals.

Rock Oyster Festival
7th to 8th July – Near Wadebridge

Tap into one of Cornwall’s finest, boutique festivals which takes place in a field just along the Camel Estuary from Padstow. This midsummer celebration of music, food and art offers a full programme of fantastic family entertainment and non-stop music on three stages all complemented by stunning views over the estuary. Top musical acts this year include Electric Swing Circus, Land of the Giants and The White Feather Collective. Also expect story-telling, puppet shows, forest school and circus skills, plus pop-up food stalls and beer tent courtesy of our friends at Padstow Brewing Co.
https://www.rockoysterfestival.co.uk

rock-oyster-festival-cornwall

St Endellion Summer Music Festival
25th July to 4th August – St Endellion

For a touch of class, check out the internationally famous St Endellion Summer Music Festival. Centred in and around the historic church in St Endellion near Port Issac, this year’s ensemble will include a symphony orchestra,  a 75-person choir and guest artists performing the classics from Brahms to Stravinsky, plus music from Broadway shows and late night brass bands.
http://www.endellionfestivals.org.uk/summer.html

Port Eliot Festival
27th to 30th July – St Germans, near Liskeard

Described as a literary festival, but with the feel of a garden party, Port Eliot attracts an eclectic mix of celebrities, art lovers, foodies, party animals and book worms. Beautifully set in the grounds of a stately home on the banks of the River Tamar, Port Eliot is a unique festival designed to inspire, educate and entertain. As well as on-stage entertainment, visitors can join in with various activities including yoga workshops, canoeing and wild swimming; and then re-fuel on delectable culinary treats from a plethora of food and drink artisans.
http://porteliotfestival.com/

Boardmasters
9th to 13th August – Watergate Bay & Newquay

The UK’s best known surfing event has grown into one of Cornwall’s biggest festivals. Split between Fistral Beach in Newquay and the main festival site at Watergate Bay, Boardmasters is a surf, skate and music festival which celebrates the coast. Sports action includes some of the best home-grown and international surfers and skateboarders. Meanwhile, visitors will be entertained on-stage by such musical highlights as Two Door Cinema Club, Jamiroquai and Alt-J.
http://www.boardmasters.co.uk/

Boardmasters Festival at Fistral Beach in Newquay

Falmouth Week
4th to 13th August – Falmouth

Head over to the south coast to experience one of the world’s biggest and liveliest sailing events. The heart of Falmouth Week is the sailing regatta, where  more than 450 yachts race over eight days. But it’s the shoreside events which get people rocking. Expect street parades, live music, flypasts by the Red Arrows and fireworks, all washed down by sumptuous food and drink from local restauranteurs and producers.
https://www.falmouthweek.co.uk/

Stand Up in the Wyldes
25th to 27th August – Week St Mary

Forget the Edinburgh Festival. Head instead to a field in North Cornwall for three days of laughter with some of the UK’s finest stand-ups. This three-day festival will feature the likes of Bill Bailey, Katherine Ryan and Russell Kane, as well as Cornwall’s comedic royalty Kernow King.
http://www.intothewyldes.com/

festival goers in Cornwall

Newlyn Fish Festival
28th August – Newlyn

If you’re a fish and seafood fan, this festival has got you covered. This is one of the South West’s biggest celebrations of all things fishy, which takes place in the historic fishing port near Penzance. Here you can meet the fishermen, sample the catch and get cooking tips from top chefs. Combine with a visit to Lands’ End and Porthcurno for a memorable day out to West Cornwall.
https://www.newlynfishfestival.org.uk/

Camel River Festival
2nd September – Wadebridge

Join the watery fun at this popular local event, celebrating the River Camel which flows through the heart of Wadebridge. Sporting action includes stand up paddleboard racing, and the legendary Sharp’s Raft Race. Expect fancy dress, games and children’s entertainment such as bouncy castles and bungee trampolines. If all this activity leaves you hungry, you can top up with fine food and drink from the likes of Sharps Brewery, Wild Bake pizzas or the riverside BBQ and hog roast.
https://www.facebook.com/TheCamelRiverFestival/

If you’re planning a trip to coincide with one or more of these Cornish festivals, then check availability for our holiday properties in Padstow and the surrounding villages.

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