West Cornwall comes alive in the summer with a vibrant array of festivals and events, celebrating music, culture, art, and food. Whether you’re a local or planning a visit, the 2025 summer calendar is packed with unmissable happenings. Here’s your guide to the top festivals and events in West Cornwall this summer.
1. The Great Estate Festival
Dates: 30th May – 1st June 2025
Location: Scorrier House, near Redruth
Dubbed the “most rambunctious garden fête,” this festival offers a mix of live music, cabaret, and vintage fairground fun in a stately home setting.
2. Royal Cornwall Show
Dates: 5th – 7th June 2025
Location: Wadebridge
Cornwall’s premier agricultural show featuring livestock competitions, local food stalls, and live entertainment—a true showcase of Cornish countryside life.
3. Tunes in the Dunes, Perranporth
Dates: 6th - 8th June 2025
Location: Perranporth Beach
Tunes in the Dunes is a beachside music festival featuring top acts from rock, indie, and folk genres. Dance under the stars with the sand between your toes and enjoy a quintessential Cornish summer evening by the sea.
4. Saltash Regatta and Waterside Festival
Dates: 7th – 8th June 2025
Location: Saltash
A family-friendly event with boat races, live music, and street entertainment along the scenic waterfront.
5. Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
Dates: 13th – 15th June 2025
Location: Falmouth
Europe’s largest free nautical music and song festival, featuring shanty groups from around the world performing across the town.
6. Golowan Festival, Penzance
Dates: 20th - 29th June 2025
Location: Penzance
One of Cornwall’s most iconic festivals, Golowan brings the streets of Penzance to life with colourful parades, live music, street performances, and fireworks. The Mazey Day procession is the highlight, with vibrant costumes and larger-than-life sculptures.
7. Penzance Literary Festival
Dates: 1st - 5th July 2025
Location: Penzance
For book lovers, the Penzance Literary Festival is a must-attend. This annual event brings together authors, poets, and storytellers from across Cornwall and beyond. With workshops, readings, and panel discussions, it’s a perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in Cornwall’s literary scene.
8. Boardmasters Festival
Dates: 6th – 10th August 2025
Location: Newquay
A surf and music festival set across Fistral Beach and Watergate Bay, featuring headliners like The Prodigy, Raye, and Central Cee.
9. St Ives September Festival
Dates: 13th - 27th September 2025
Location: St Ives
The St Ives September Festival is a two-week celebration of art, music, theatre, and literature. Expect live performances, art exhibitions, workshops, and community events set against the stunning coastal backdrop of St Ives. Don’t miss the famous Lantern Parade, which lights up the town in a magical display.
Stay at Knocker Cottage - Your Summer Retreat
Make the most of your summer festival experience by staying at Knocker Cottage, a charming 19th-century miner’s cottage in West Cornwall. Perfectly located for exploring the region’s top events, it offers a cosy and characterful base for your summer adventures.
Conclusion
West Cornwall is set to host an incredible line-up of festivals and events this summer, from music and food to literature and traditional Cornish culture. Whether you’re looking to dance on the beach, sample local flavours, or explore the arts scene, there’s a festival waiting for you.
Book your stay at Knocker Cottage and immerse yourself in the magic of a Cornish summer.