Cornish Festivals
Whether you’re looking for live music with sand between your toes or colourful sea shanties and flowing local ales, Cornwall is home to some of the best festivals in the country with plenty of events to choose from throughout the year.
From foodie festivals such as Falmouth Food Festival to epic, surf and music festivals like Boardmasters, explore Cornish festivals here and plan your trip at Polzeath Beach House in 2026.
St Ives Food Festival
Where: St Ives Food Festival, Porthminster Beach
When: 15th – 17th May, 2026
Access: Roads into St Ives will be extremely busy and/or closed for non-residents. Parking and travel information can be found here. Public transport or walking/cycling in is recommended.
Located on the iconic Porthminister Beach is the St Ives Food and Drink festival. Spanning 3 days, there is a variety of culinary experts, attractions and local beverages, along with family fun and evening music and entertainment. The early bird tickets are now on sale for the 2026 St Ives Food & Drink Festival. The festival is free during the day but you will need tickets for the live music evening sessions. Find out more about the event here
Porthleven Food Festival
Where: Porthleven Harbour, Porthleven
When: 24th – 26th April, 2026
Access: Roads into Porthleven will be closed for non-residents, so parking in the festival car park, public transport or walking/cycling in is recommended.
With Porthleven’s beautiful harbour as the backdrop, there is so much to offer at this three-day-long food festival. Take your taste buds for a tour through the array of aromatic stalls and wagons. Pizza, American grill, seafood, local ales and spirits, Cornish cakes, and much (much) more awaits, alongside Chef’s demos and workshops. Throughout the sweet-smelling day and disco-lit night, there is also a host of live music so you can dance off all of the glorious food you’ve enjoyed. Plan your food-filled weekend here.
Rock Oyster Festival
Where: Dinham House Estate, Wadebridge
When: 23rd – 26th July, 2026
Access: Parking can be added when you purchase your ticket
Whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, or action-packed weekend type, Rock Oyster Festival has something for everyone. Prepare for the musical buzz with headliners, Groove Armada and Scissor Sisters, explore the different chef tipis, some of which contain Michelin-starred chefs and delicious Chef demos. Turn this into a weekend to remember with yoga at Mussel Beach to ease all those dance moves from last night! Get your tickets here!
This year we’re so thrilled to be heading to Rock Oyster Festival and launched The Atlantic at the exciting, Chef Tipis. Our Head Chef, Grant and the team will be crafting the best in Italian food with a classic, street-style. Think fresh arancini and epic fried pizzas. See you there!
Boardmasters Surf & Music Festival
Where: Trebelsue Farm, Newquay
When: 5th-9th August, 2026
Access: Shuttle bus running from Newquay town centre
With thousands flocking to what has become one of the top festivals in Cornwall, Boardmasters is considered the epicentre of music, surfing and food. The festival is spread across Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach where the annual surfing competition, Boardmasters OPEN, takes place. Along with pop-up stalls and music at Fistral beach, the main event comes to life at Watergate Bay with headliners and almost endless festival fun with seven stages, food stalls and all-weekend camping. It’s one not to miss, and with tickets selling fast, get yours here!
Please note: Parking in Newquay is a challenge during Boardmasters, so it might be better to get the bus to the event grounds.
Tunes In The Dunes
Where: Perranporth beach, Perranporth
When: 5th – 7th June, 2026
Access: Parking behind the co-op in Perranporth
You can’t beat a beachside festival that literally takes place on the sand. Tunes In The Dunes is set on golden sands at Perranporth in North Cornwall, offering incredible live performances. Waves crash in the background, the sand moves under your dancing feet and the stage is set for making memories. Be sure to explore the whole arena and discover an eclectic mix of food vendors, locally crafted drinks and funky DJ stands. Get prepared to dance your socks off and explore the line up here.
Rattler Festival
Where: Healeys Cyder Farm, Penhallow
When: 24th – 25th April, 2026
Access: Just off the A30 with parking on-site
When a festival is adults only and centred around Cornwall’s most famous cider, you know you’re in for a hair letting-down time. Spread across three glorious days, Rattler Fest is all fun, games, and music with numerous sites across the festival catering to different tastes. Live music, silent discos, and celebrity DJs are just some of the sparkling entertainment on offer. The Rattler Olympics and fairground rides also offer the chance to unleash your inner child as you dunk for apples and go head-to-head with bumper cars. Check out 2026’s line up here.
Eden Sessions
Where: Eden Project, Bodelva
When: From June 2026
Access: Parking at the Eden Project
While technically not a festival, we couldn’t miss out on Eden Sessions! This global garden also hosts incredible performances throughout the summer months – see the 2026 line up. With the iconic biomes lit up like giant disco balls as your backdrop, Eden Sessions are a totally unique venue for catching some international greats. With a lineup that will get bigger and better as the year goes on. Don’t miss out on tickets, get yours here.
Falmouth Food Festival
Where: Church Street car park, Falmouth
When: 22nd – 25th May, 2026
Access: There are several car parks across Falmouth or you can catch the park and ride bus from Ponsharden Park
One of Cornwall’s newest festivals to enter the foodie scene, Falmouth Food Festival promises a hearty mix of local food, drink, and music as it turns the already food-focussed town into a celebration of all things Cornish. Alongside the giddy mix of food and music, a series of art installations allow local artists to lend their creative voices to the weekend. Stroll around the sweet-smelling stalls or pop down to one of the many beautiful beaches for a refreshing dip in the turquoise seas. Explore what’s on offer here.
The Great Estate Festival
Where: Scorrier House, Redruth
When: 29th – 31st May, 2026
Access: Train stations at Redruth and Truro just 15 minutes away, or there is parking at the estate
It’s safe to say that everyone loves a garden fete… well, the Great Estate really kicks that into high gear. With jubilant performances of live music and Victorian garden games to incredible lantern parades and an eclectic array of food stalls, you’ll find plenty of captivating activities to pique your interest. The whole family is sure to be satisfied all weekend long, discover the festival here.
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Where: Across Falmouth
When: 12th – 14th June, 2026
Access: There are several car parks across Falmouth
Calling all nautical music fans, you won’t be able to resist the boot-stomping energy of sea shanties sung with passion, heart, and a swig of ale… Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival has turned into the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe! This year promises another year of raised glasses and boisterous cheer, find out more here.
Tropical Pressure
Where: Mount Pleasant Eco Park, Porthtowan
When: 10th-12th July, 2026
Access: Parking tickets can be purchased ahead of the festival or you can get the shuttle bus from Redruth train station
Crowned “The Best Small Festival in the UK” by The Times, Tropical Pressure brings all the delight of a big festival but tailors to a small, wonderful experience for anyone who wants to dance the weekend away. Celebrating an eclectic mash up of tunes, 2026 sees the likes of Benin International Musical and Novalima take to the stage. The festival celebrates the cultures of Latin America, Africa, and the Caribbean. You can also get involved in a series of health, wellbeing and eco-friendly workhops. Check out the festival here.
Falmouth Week
Where: Across Falmouth
When: 7th – 16th August, 2026
Access: There are several car parks across Falmouth
So much more than your usual festival, Falmouth Week is a week-long and town-wide event, packed with parades, aerial displays all set across a colourful celebration. The already vibrant waterside town of Falmouth turns into a hive of live music, sailing extravaganza and pink wigs, a phenomenally fun fundraiser that kicks off the week while raising money and awareness for breast cancer. Market stalls offer a wonderful mix of local foods and wares, while the firework display finishes the week with a bang – literally! The foodie treats and displays will keep you entertained all week, see what’s on offer here.
Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival
Where: Healeys Cyder Farm, Penhallow
When: 11th – 13th September, 2026
Access: Car parking passes available
Meet the family-friendly version of Rattler Fest at Healeys Cyder Farm! The Little Orchard Cider and Music Festival promises three days of fabulous fun. Catch a host of big names on the main stage, squeak the night away at the silent disco and check out the riotous fun that can be found throughout the festival – who’s ready for Grandma’s sofa derby?
Stay with Polzeath Beach House
Beyond our gorgeous coastline, rolling countryside and sunsets you’ll find an exciting array of Cornish events and festivals nestled into the country for you to explore! Please speak with our reception team for any further 2024 events and enquire for further information.