Cornwall is becoming known for more than its fab beaches, top attractions and hours of sunshine. This top UK holiday spot is emerging as a destination for its music events and festivals that offer the best in music, food, art and fun. It seems like not a weekend goes by without an event taking place. There are literally festivals all year round.
Cornwall is the perfect backdrop for these events with its natural breathtaking scenery. There is a vibrancy and energy that abounds in the region.
These events celebrate all things synonymous with fun and festivities. Come along and participate in these fab events, let your hair down and have a great time.
Looe Blues, Rhythm & Rock Festival
This rhythm and rock festival takes place in the charming fishing village of Looe, a beautiful part of the country. A three-day event that includes a full line up of artists showcasing the very best talent in a cross genre of music. As it is an indoor event, it won't be spoiled by the weather.
When not attending this fun festival take time to explore the beautiful town and discover its many charms and excellent facilities. Or take time to visit the alluring bays in the area, with hidden coves and wide expanses of golden sand and clear blue water
Leopallooza Festival
What was supposed to be a one off party has evolved over the years into one of the best music events in the country. Much has changed from its humble beginnings but its original spirit of this unique event remains. It continues to be a festival for festival lovers and has avoided becoming too commercialised. The organisers are determined and committed to delivering an unmissable and unique festival experience.
Everything from the location to the music line up and entertainment is perfect. The bespoke festival site is concealed in a tree-filled Cornish valley not far from the sea. A family-friendly event that takes place over three days and nights with free camping, retail and food stalls and a small fun fair. It feels more like a community than a festival.
Although relatively small in festival terms it is continuously growing and getting more creative. This award-winning festival celebrates the very best in new, up-and-coming and established bands, artists and DJs with more than 100 diverse acts taking place over multiple stages. You are assured one hell of a festival with an amazing atmosphere and everyone out to have a fun time.
What is certain is they know how to throw a fantastic party and pull out all the stops to ensure all festival goers have a memorable experience.
Eden Sessions
This event takes place in the iconic setting of the Eden Project and is spread over a couple of weeks. The Eden Project biomes provide a stunning backdrop to the Eden Sessions stage, truly sublime. It is an intimate outdoor setting and draws in the crowds from all over. You can look forward to a line-up featuring some big names in the music scene.
You can expect a truly memorable performance at this imaginative event where magic is in the air.
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
This is one of the largest free nautical music and song festivals anywhere in the world. More than 65 groups from all over the UK and from around the world gather to perform their individual take on sea songs and shanties.
The fact that the festival raises well needed funds for the RNLI makes it even more special.
Falmouth Week
This annual maritime event is one of the largest and most prominent sailing regattas in the South East of England, more than 400 yachts take part in competitions over eight days. Its origins are as a local sailing regatta but it has evolved to become the fantastic event it is today.
Not all the fun takes place on the water, there is plenty for landlubbers too. The event is supported by ten days of live music, taking place throughout the day and night. There are also plenty of lively activities happening ashore throughout the week with lots of exciting entertainment, from themed nights carnivals and shows. A vibrancy and party atmosphere surround the town. The magic mainly occurs in Events Square but spreads across Falmouth. A particular highlight is the 80's and 90's Extravaganza. You can look forward to a great line up with internationally renowned music acts.
There is much more to see and do in the town and surrounding areas.
Boardmasters Festival, Newquay
Probably the biggest event here in Cornwall but you won't get a more laid-back vibe than at the Boardmasters Festival. It takes place annually in August and perfectly sums all that is great about Cornwall, the sun, sea, surf and music, with the stunning and iconic backdrop of Newquay's Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach.
This has to be one of the hottest if not the coolest events in the county. A five-day event with a combination of live music, surfing and skateboarding competitions. It is part of the World Surf League qualifying series, a high-profile event here in the UK. With more than 200 artists playing across twelve curated stages, you can expect a fantastic and diverse line up of artists with some big name's taking part. The bill is an eclectic mix of styles including songwriters, indie, pop, grime, DnB, house, rock and more. The atmosphere is incredible.
There is much more to see and do with comedy shows, silent disco, fairground, Cornish market, food stalls, circus skills, crafts or visit the wellbeing area where there are daily yoga classes, workshops, reiki or simply relax in the eco spa. There really is something for everyone and won't disappoint.
Bude Jazz
An old timer on the festival scene but doesn't show any signs of getting old or stagnant. The fun happens in early September when a celebration of jazz takes place in venues across Bude and puts a swing in the step of the town. You can expect a varied and impressive list of the best in jazz bands, singers and musicians both local and national, playing various styles of jazz. A community event that brings a real touch of culture to Bude encouraging young musicians to get involved.
You don't have to be a huge jazz fan it is easy to get swept along with the atmosphere, with many more activities taking place, with arts and crafts, a fair, life boat day and an impressive firework display. Make sure to wear your dancing shoes as you will find your feet wanting to join in.
What could be better than jazz by the sea, an extremely popular event on the jazz calendar and attracts people back to Bude year after year.
St Ives September Festival
This event has being going strong for more than 30 years, and is an important aspect of the towns cultural life. St Ives is well known as a cultural hub with strong artistic connections and this festival serves to celebrate this. St Ives Festival is the must go to event for folk, roots and acoustic music scene with a diverse headline of attractions but, encompasses so much more. You can expect a vibrant atmosphere, exceptional entertainment and an exciting programme of activities with exhibitions, walks, open studios, talks, workshops, comedy, films, theatre, plays, stories, poetry and lots of street entertainment. An event that takes the town by storm, appealing to all ages and interests, taking place in various venues around the town.
The full festival programme includes more than 300 events including arts, food and live acts and celebrates the diverse and creative talents found here in Cornwall and beyond. Taking place over 15 days there is lots of time to partake in the fun events planned, you definitely won't be bored.
It is an experience like no other, a truly fantastic event, that attracts visitors from far and wide. The perfect way to end the summer, the weather is still balmy, the crowds have dispersed and the beaches are beautiful.
Looe Live!
This is a unique type of festival, it is more of a friendly gathering, where a sense of community flourishes. The main stage overlooks the river with another stage on the beach. Top-quality music from all genres is performed on four main stages, and pops up throughout the streets and spills out from venues all over the town. It effectively takes over the town. There are more than 100 pop-up performances over this weekend event, creating a true party atmosphere. Try the silent disco, great fun, there is a comedy stage as well as a classical music stage, and try out the new community zone.
It is an eclectic and diverse line-up and encompasses all genres from rock and acoustic to folk, classical and blues. You will, find big-name headliners playing beside local and upcoming talent. Suitable for all ages and all musical tastes.
Polperro Festival
A traditional summer festival that dates back centuries when they celebrated the coming of the summer. It died out over the years but was resurrected in 1996 and has kept some of the original traditions, and has been going strong ever since. It is a free community festival that incorporates live music, an arts and crafts fair, workshops, a comedy night, poetry reading, a colourful village carnival, the lighting of the solstice bonfire, there is a mock mayor choosing ceremony where the victor gets wheeled through the town making a stop at each inn before being ultimately dumped in the sea!
Everyone is welcome to this community festival which takes place in June each year, in this wonderful picturesque village. You will see some incredible art and hear amazing musical talent. The entertainment extends all through the day and into the night. The opening procession is not to be missed. Take a tour of the pubs to sample the ales served.
A vibrant and party vibe extends all over the festivities. It definitely punches well above its weight, simply outstanding.
Come early and get stuck into all that Cornwall has to offer. You would be crazy to miss out on all the fun. There is never a dull moment here.