Upcoming Events in Cornwall in January, February, March and April 2012
If you would like more information about any of the events we have listed here, pleae contact us.
Carn to Cove Events
From now until 27 Jan 2012
Carn to Cove is Cornwall’s performing arts scheme for rural communities filling the county’s wonderfully varied community halls with poetry, laughter, music, drama, stories and dancing. Local people choose the live shows they want to see and hear in their halls providing loads of variety for everyone across Cornwall.
Performances take place in scores of chapels, sports centres and village halls right across the county from the open air mediaeval theatre at St Just in the west of Cornwall to the primary school at Stoke Climsland in the east. Touring opera, singers and musicians from Africa, flamenco dancers, home grown theatre groups and acclaimed puppet companies all make up the amazingly diverse core of artists who entertain throughout the year.
Eden Project - Ice Skating and A Time of Gifts
From now until 26 Feb 2012
Back, by popular demand, the Eden Project's ice rink this winter includes a glittering glacial theme! Whether you’re a professional skater or even if you’ve never seen ice before, Eden's magical ice rink is the perfect place to hone your skills. As well as general skate sessions there are special sessions for different abilities and ages, including Parent and Toddler sessions, Chilly Penguins and Superskate. They even offer skating lessons! Skate slots book fast so we recommend booking in advance via the Eden Project's own website.
Vital Spark, Liskeard
15 Jan 2012 To 18 Mar 2012
The Vital Spark is a community led innitiative that celebrates creativity. A range of creative workshops is on offer, culminating in Festival Fortnight, when you can enjoy performances, exhibitions and live events. This year’s theme is 'Liskeard's Got Style - Past present and future'.
Festival Fortnight runs from 5th March to 18th March, when you can enjoy performances, exhibitions and live events. Local groups and traders also take up the theme.
Workshops run from January to March giving you a chance to get your creative juices going. Subjects include poetry, dance, drama, writing, singing and Cornish dance. There are excellent workshop leaders, so dip your toe in or get involved in making work to show and share in Festival Fortnight.
Rhys Matthews at Minstrel's Music Centre, Bude
22 Jan 2012
Music Recital at the Minstrel's Music Centre featuring Rhys Matthews, percussion playing with accompanist Michael Davies.
An entertaining and imaginative programme featuring music from across the world, including film music from Taiwan, favourites by Piazolla and Rimsky Korsakov and a fascinating work for plant pots by American composer Frederic Rzewski.
St Ives Feast & Hurling the Silver Ball
6 Feb 2012
The St Ives Feast is an ancient tradition that celebrates the anniversary of the consecration of the Parish Church of St Eia in 1434 and offers a rare chance to watch the game of Hurling the Silver Ball, a centuries’ old form of rugby.
The feast day falls on the first Monday after February 3rd and starts off with the mayor’s civic procession for the blessing at St Ia Well near Porthmeor Beach, followed by the start of the boisterous hurling of the silver ball when participants attempt to win the ball off each other around the town. Whoever returns the ball to the mayor on the steps of St Ives Guildhall on the stroke of midday receives a silver coin. In the afternoon, pennies are proffered from the balcony by town councillors to the waiting children on the Guildhall forecourt.
Taking place in one of Cornwall’s most popular seaside towns, watching the hurling is an intriguing insight into one of Cornwall’s most ancient traditions. Take a ring side seat near the beach and cheer for your favourite participant, some of whom dive into the chilly sea to escape with the ball.
St Piran's Day - Redruth
3 Mar 2012
Originally a holiday observed by tin miners, St Pirans’ day is a celebration of Cornwall’s cultural identity. Reinstated by Celtic revivalists in the late 19th century, since the 1950s the celebration has become increasingly popular with many towns and villages in Cornwall holding special events to mark the day.
Billed as the “Biggest St Piran’s Day Celebration in Cornwall”, entertainment in Redruth starts early with dance demonstrations and live music in the main street. During the day there is a procession through the town followed by more entertainment at the Rugby Club where there are also stalls, exhibitions and fairground rides. A rugby match kicks off in the afternoon and afterwards there is live music at several venues across the town.
As well as enjoying the free street entertainment you can also browse the Cornish craft market, watch the procession led by St Piran and traditional Cornish musicians, get into the rhythm with Redruth Radio, and go along to fairground rides and sports and other performances . In the evening there is live music, discos and karaoke in various venues across the town. The whole town adopts a black and white theme; from decorations, to flags, to clothes and costumes.
St Piran's Day - Perranporth
4 Mar 2012
An annual processional play to celebrate St Piran, patron saint of tinners and now accepted by many as Cornwall's premier saint.
Held on the nearest Sunday to St Piran's Day, March 5th, the play produced by the St Piran Trust, takes place in Perranporth, where according to legend the revered saint was washed up on millstone from Ireland in the 5th century AD. Crossing the dunes to St Piran's Cross, hundreds of people gather, generally dressed in black, white and gold, the colours of Cornwall, carrying the Cornish Flag.
You can take part in this celebration of Cornwall’s distinct identity by joining the spectators who walk over the dunes and watch the play acted out in three parts. Dozens of actors and musicians portray the stages of St Piran’s life from his birth in Ireland, his arrival in Cornwall and his miraculous discovery of tin. Meet at Perran Sands Holiday Park. The play starts at 2pm.
St Piran's Day - Bodmin
5 Mar 2012
Come along to Bodmin and see the town's people celebrating and commemorating St Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall. The day begins outside the library with a procession. There will be a performance of songs, dances and plays associated with the rich cultural history of Cornwall.
Falmouth Spring Festival
17 Mar 2012 To 25 Mar 2012
Come and enjoy Falmouth's newest festival! With guided walks & talks, a Spring fashion show, garden spring clean events, Gardeners' Question Time and a Spring Fair. For an updated schedule please visit the website link above.
Falmouth Spring Flower Show
24 Mar 2012 To 25 Mar 2012
The Falmouth Spring Flower Show has marked the start of spring in Falmouth for over a century with wonderful displays of shrubs, daffodils and cacti. The show was first staged in 1910 and apart from some temporary suspension during World Wars I & II, has been held annually.
Exhibitors and trade stalls pack into the Princess Pavilion in Falmouth with displays of locally grown flowers, floral arrangements, specimen plants and photographic displays.
The two-day festival is held at the Princess Pavilion where you can enjoy the array of spring flowers heralding the end of the dreary months of winter. On show are tender and rare plants, Bonsais, Orchids and stunning flower arrangements with experts on hand to answer your queries, specialist plants for sale and refreshments. Exhibitors include anyone with a love of flowers from big nurseries and public gardens to local residents with private gardens.
Oyster Gathering & Seafood Harvest, Mylor
30 Mar 2012 To 1 Apr 2012
Come celebrate the last weekend of the season, the gathering, on the last wild oyster beds in the southwest and see the last fleet in the world still working under sail and oar. See the fleet in action and enjoy traditional harbour entertainments including a Skinner’s Bar, Live Music and a Fresh Local Seafood Market. Top local chefs cooking freshly landed seafood specials. On Sunday, celebrate the start of the summer with the World’s Best Sparkling Wine at a Camel Valley Seafood Harvest.
Cornwall Spring Flower Show, Lostwithiel
31 Mar 2012 To 1 Apr 2012
A fragrant celebration of Cornish garden mania that welcomes spring with exuberant displays in the competitive classes with camellias, daffodils, rhododendrons and ornamental shrubs and trees guaranteeing a brilliantly colourful spectacle. Gardeners’ question time, live music, plenty of local food on offer and there’s even a plant crèche that will look after your purchases while you enjoy the rest of the show.
The two day festival attracts around 8,000 visitors who come to see what Cornwall’s green fingers have on offer. A great place to pick up plants, marvel at the professional garden displays and ask the experts what would grow best in your garden.
St Endellion Easter Music Festival
31 Mar 2012 To 8 Apr 2012
The St Endellion Music Festivals take place at Easter and in the Summer every year in the Collegiate Church of St Endelienta, bringing together a wide range of exciting musicians from all over the world. St Endellion is near Port Isaac and about a mile from the glorious North Cornwall Coast.
Andrew Watkinson directs Vivaldi’s Four Seasons from the violin and then returns to the rostrum to conduct Bach’s Easter Oratorio on Easter Day 8th April. Sarah Fox joins maestro James Burton and a large orchestra for the glorious Four Last Songs of Strauss which will be preceded by a world premiere of a new work by James Burton, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Titanic disaster, and this concert will end with Mozart’s Requiem (performances on 6th and 7th April).
The programme also includes Parry’s Magnificat (part of which was heard on the BBC Four documentary The Prince and the Composer) and the great D Minor Piano Concerto of Brahms with Jeremy Young as soloist. Lunchtime concerts, Thoughts for the Day and chamber programmes are still being finalised. For the full programme please visit the Festival website.
34th International Mining Games Competition, Camborne
31 Mar 2012 To 1 Apr 2012
The International Mining Games makes it debut in the UK at King Edward Mine, in Troon near Camborne. The primary aim of the competition is to keep the traditional mining techniques alive, many of which were developed in Cornwall. The competition has now evolved and also provides a talent scouting opportunity for mining companies and companies in related sectors, as well as enhancing the comradeship of the mining students over international borders.
The competition was started in 1978 in honour of the 91 miners that died in the Sunshine Mine disaster, USA in 1972, as well as miners that have since died in the line of duty. Camborne School of Mines joined the competition on 2006 and it was agreed that we would hold the event in 2012, to coincide with the Olympic Games being hosted in the UK.
The competition consists of 7 events (Airleg drilling, track stand, mucking, hand steeling, swede saw, gold panning and surveying) across 4 catagories, mens, womens, co-ed's and alumni. The mens competition is to be held on the Sunday, with the others on the Saturday.
The games are being held at King Edward Mine, a working museum that will be open to visitors during the weekend.
Art in the City Festival, Truro
2 Apr 2012 To 14 Apr 2012
In April 2012, Truro will be hosting its fourth annual 'Art in the City' festival - a full programme of art related events happening over two weeks to help you celebrate Truro's art practices and explore new art ideas in the city. as well as open spaces around Truro and a marquee on Lemon Quay, Truro's galleries, museum and art retailers will be the venues for the programme of activities. The festival will include 'BIG Art' whereby a series of large canvases will be painted in one day, then exhibited and sold at auction; an art fair; an open painting competition and an 'Art car-boot'.
Trereife Easter Fine Food & Craft Fair
6 Apr 2012 To 9 Apr 2012
Inspiring tours of Trereife House, a delectable selection of locally produced food and drink, exquisite art and crafts to browse and buy, children’s Easter Egg Hunt and live music performances…these are just a handful of the attractions to be found at Trereife’s Easter Fair.
One of the many attractions over the weekend is the highly entertaining cookery demonstrations by local chefs using Cornish produce. Visitors will have the chance to sample the dishes and purchase the ingredients which will be on sale in the food marquee. At the top of every younger visitor’s list of things to do has to be taking part in Trereife’s Grand Easter Egg Hunt. Taking place within the woods and around the walled garden, the Egg Hunt has become very popular with hundreds of happy children eagerly following the clues. As well as the egg hunt, youngsters can have a go in the Funky Food Workshop or be totally amazed by the incredible Mister Cool Magic and his fantastic magic show.
Porthleven Food & Music Festival
21 Apr 2012
A one day festival attracting in excess of 12,000 people who converge on the tiny fishing village, to enjoy food demonstrations from Antony Worrall Thompson and local chefs, food stalls showcasing Cornish food producers, music and entertainment. The festival’s ethos is to remain free to all with an emphasis on great food and entertainment.
“Fit for Food” is the theme for 2012, taking inspiration from the Olympics, fitness, healthy eating and encouraging everyone to grown their own. The festival not only hosts the very best of Cornish food producers but also has a full program of entertainment including live bands, buskers, dancers, performance artists, children’s art trails, a young person’s field with all day entertainment,, a Hog Roast, a Fish Barbecue and local history exhibitions, all of which make up a fantastic, free family day out!
During the festival you can sample some great local food, learn how to create wonderful dishes demonstrated by local chefs, see fishmongers expertly filleting and preparing freshly caught fish and join in the multitude of activities taking place around Porthleven’s picturesque harbour.
Zapcat Racing UK Tour - Newquay GP
21 Apr 2012 To 22 Apr 2012
Zapcat Racing UK TOUR - 2 legs are being held at Fistral Beach Newquay who have just agreed a 3 year deal to host the race exclusively in Cornwall which features up to 20 boats racing through the surf at speeds of up to 50 MPH. There are two rounds over the weekend with racing starting at midday and finishing at 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday. Amazing high speed close racing with the race teams punching through the pounding surf to get around the course!
Boscastle Walking Week
23 Apr 2012 To 27 Apr 2012
The Walking Week will be from Monday 23rd to Friday 27th April 2012. Those arriving on Sunday 22nd April will be able to book the welcome evening carvery at the Cobweb Inn. From the very best of Britain’s coastline to wonderful walks amid woods and streams, it’s all on offer during Boscastle’s increasingly popular Walking Week.
Our fifth year sees an extended range of walks and activities for you to pick and mix from. We aim to have something for all ages and abilities. You could join one of our experienced and informed local guides on a ramble to waterfalls or steep climbs to Cornwall’s highest coastal cliff top, or meander along the country lanes and pathways that would have been familiar to the writer Thomas Hardy, whose life-changing visit to Boscastle produced poetry regarded by many as amongst the finest in the English language.
Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross, Landrake
28 Apr 2012 To 29 Apr 2012
Landrake was the birth place of the Red Bull Pro Nationals and where the championship first started back in 2009 and is a must for anyone looking for an action packed weekend. This event isn’t just for race fans…it’s evolved in to a full blown family attraction with something for all ages in a festival atmosphere.
The event in Landrake is one stop on the UK series tour covering all aspects of motocross which includes 3 championships and a Live Freestyle Motocross Show. The Red Bull Pro Nationals - the best Motocross riders in Europe come and battle it out for podium finishes. The Red Bull Elite Youth Cup with children racing from the age of 7 upwards and the Fuchs Silkolene 2 Stroke British Championship, geared for amateur racers. Plus Freestyle Motocross shows where riders jump huge distances performing some amazing mid-air tricks including back flips which really have to be seen to be believed!
Off track, there’s the Suzuki Motocross experience where youngsters and adults alike can try out their skills on a motocross bike in a safe and informed environment, the Kids’ zone where you can let the kids loose on bungee bouncers and zorb balls and trade stands and shops, food and drinks, bars, rider autograph signing sessions, a Red Bull party with DJ’s on the Saturday night and all weekend camping on site…. it’s like a music festival but the rock stars are the racers!
Trevithick Day, Camborne
28 Apr 2012
It's the day of the year when local engineering genius and inventor Richard Trevithick (1771-1833) gets the recognition he deserves and Camborne celebrates its importance as a major player in Cornwall's former mining industry. Lots of spluttering steam engines, singing, dancing and parades.
All over the town the streets play host to local trade stalls, choirs, brass bands, clowns to entertain the kids, buskers, musicians and dancers including hundreds of children from local schools traditionally dressed as traditional Bal Maidens and Miners, along with live theatre, displays of vintage vehicles, model exhibitions and fairground rides making it a great day out for the whole family.
Camborne is located on the main A30 through Cornwall, and on Trevithick Day the main streets are closed to traffic in order to host the attractions. There is plenty of well signposted parking on the outskirts of the town. Get a ringside position for the main events of the day which starts with the children's dance winding through the town at 10:15am, followed by the adults dressed in Cornish black and gold at 2:30pm and ending with the Parade of Steam Engines at 3:15pm following a route around the town with the Mayor of Camborne taking the salute at Trevithick's statue outside the town's library.
Richard Trevithick was prolific inventor and among his many triumphs at the dawn of the industrial revolution was the "Puffing Devil", built in 1801 and the first ever steam driven vehicle which terrified local people on the streets of Camborne. Two years later he demonstrated his steam locomotive in London taking eight passengers on a bumpy ride along the streets of London through Paddington and Islington heralding a new chapter in mass transportation.
Wiggle Cornwall Tor 2012
29 Apr 2012
The Wiggle Cornwall Tor, organised by KILO TO GO, is the second UCI sanctioned cyclosportive on the 2010 UK Sportive calendar. Last year’s coast to coast route was a real success, that presented riders with some roller coaster riding along the North Atlantic coast, whilst then being able to stretch the legs out on the way down to the south coast and Looe. But that's not all....
The long route option is the only true coast to coast one day cyclosportive in the UK - you'll visit ITV Doc Martin's picturesque Port Isaac on the Atlantic coast and then, eventually, idyllic Looe on the English Channel. Before, after and in between there is mile after mile of gorgeous and peaceful Cornish countryside. There's more - we've looked very closely at the routes, the roads and terrain. With safety and enjoyment in mind and by keeping the best and most popular parts from past Tors we have added some exciting new territory to the routes. This has also made the ride accessible to a wider range of participants. There's now a gentler run-in to the finish to help wind riders down rather than up! Another improvement is that with many hundreds of riders on the road a general move to clearer, wider but not busier roads. All-in-all the routes this year are taking in even more phenomenal countryside and fantastic riding.
Carn to Cove
Eden Project - Ice Skating
Vital Spark
Rhys Matthews
St Ives Feast
St Piran's Day - Redruth
St Piran's Day - Perranporth
St Piran's Day - Bodmin
Falmouth Spring Festival
Falmouth Spring Flower Show
Oyster Gathering & Seafood Harvest
Cornwall Spring Flower Show
St Endellion Easter Music Festival
34th International Mining Games Competition
Art in the City Festival
Trereife Easter Fine Food & Craft Fair
Porthleven Food & Music Festival
Zapcat Racing
Boscastle Walking Week
Red Bull Pro Nationals Motocross
Trevithick Day
Wiggle Cornwall Tor
