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Discover the best Cornwall events
erched on the Roseland Peninsula in the heart of Cornwall's South Coast, The Nare enjoys a prime position from which to discover some of the county's best events. And what events they are. Visitors can expect seafood extravaganzas, thrilling boat races, sun-soaked family days out and much more besides. There is always something happening, no matter the time of year, and each event, in its own colourful way, celebrates the rich culture, history and natural beauty of this very special, very characterful region.
Those wishing to immerse themselves in Cornish life will find plenty to enjoy. Here are just a few highlights from Cornwall's festival calendar.
Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show
Late March or early April • Wadebridge • 28 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
Spring always makes a grand entrance in Cornwall. Here, spurred by the region's mild microclimate, flowers bloom bright and early, often blossoming a full month ahead of those in the rest of England.
What better way to celebrate this early spring than a trip to Cornwall Garden Society's Spring Flower Show? Often called 'The Chelsea of the South West', this annual festival features dramatic displays of flowers and shrubs, as well as competitions, exhibits and traders. The show takes place at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge, North Cornwall.
The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival
Early or mid-May • Fowey • 22 miles (50 minutes) from The Nare
Lovers of literature, art and music, take note. The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival is among the best events in Cornwall for those who want to dive deep into the region's thriving cultural scene. Attendees can expect a celebrated lineup of speakers from the worlds of writing, broadcasting and beyond, as well as workshops, musical performances and an ever-popular art trail.
The festival takes place throughout the charming port town of Fowey, which is well worth a visit in its own right.
St Ives Food and Drink Festival
Mid-May • St Ives • 40 miles (70 minutes) from The Nare
While Cornwall's natural beauty is its most celebrated feature, its natural larder is not far behind. Blessed with lush farmland and some 420 miles of coastline, Cornwall has a rich gastronomic heritage founded on an almost limitless abundance of fine, fresh ingredients.
This is a heritage worth celebrating – and few, if any, celebrate it more enthusiastically than St Ives. In mid-May each year, the town welcomes chefs, traders and thousands of visitors to Porthminster Beach for a vibrant weekend of Cornish culinary merrymaking. It's a slice of paradise for food fans and their families, with festivities including wine tastings, street entertainment and demonstrations from celebrity chefs.
Royal Cornwall Show
Early June • Wadebridge • 28 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
The Royal Cornwall Show was founded in 1793 and remains the most renowned agricultural show in the South West. Celebrating the best of regional farming, the show features livestock competitions, fresh food and demonstrations of country skills such as falconry. However, a taste for rural life is by no means essential. With a funfair, steam fair, play areas and plenty of live entertainment, the show always promises a fun family day out.
Falmouth Classics
Mid-June • Falmouth • 24 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
The Falmouth Classics regatta is a three-day event that attracts classic boats from around the country and the continent. For sailing fans, it's a treat, with some boats dating back to the late 1800s. Landlubbers, meanwhile, can enjoy the thrill of the race and the beauty of this vibrant Cornish port town.
The highlight of the regatta is the Parade of Sail and Power in Carrick Roads. Always a magnificent spectacle, this event showcases pilot cutters, working boats and other traditional craft under full sail. And don't miss the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, which runs concurrently with the regatta each year.
Mevagissey Feast Week
Late June to early July • Mevagissey • 10 miles (30 minutes) from The Nare
Dating back to 1754, Mevagissey Feast Week may take the crown as Cornwall's longest-running event. Held annually in early summer, the festival sees the quiet port village of Mevagissey erupt into a colourful celebration of music, food and all things local. It's a delightfully varied affair, with a fete, food festival, fireworks and parades on land and sea. One for fun-seekers of all ages.
Charlestown Regatta Week
Late July or early August • Charlestown • 16 miles (35 minutes) from The Nare
Charlestown Regatta Week is relatively young in boat racing terms, dating back a mere 50 years or so. Nonetheless, it has firmly established itself as one of the best events in Cornwall for sailing enthusiasts. Expect a week of events on and off the water, including raft races, live music and a very colourful carnival.
Falmouth Sailing Week
Early to mid-August • Falmouth • 24 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
The Falmouth Sailing Week regatta features nine days of fleet racing in the expansive waters of Falmouth Bay and the Carrick Roads. Yacht and dayboat races take place every day, with daily and series prizes.
The events are always a thrill – and in between races, attendees can enjoy vibrant shoreside entertainment such as live music and parades. A particular highlight is the air display, which sees skilled pilots perform daring aerial acrobatics over the glistening waters of the bay.
Fowey Classic Car Show
August • Fowey • 22 miles (50 minutes) from The Nare
Since 2021, scores of motoring enthusiasts have flocked to Fowey in August for the town's burgeoning Classic Car Show. Focusing on vintage, pre-1990 vehicles, the show features hundreds of classic cars, bikes and sports cars, culminating in a parade through the Pinnock Tunnel.
The show runs alongside Fowey's annual regatta, which features a programme of live music, fireworks and a carnival procession, as well as boat racing. Whether visiting for the cars, the boats, or simply to enjoy the sunshine and entertainment, a grand day out is all but assured.
Falmouth Oyster Festival
Mid-October • Falmouth • 24 miles (55 minutes) from The Nare
Oysters have been a staple of the Cornish diet since Roman times – and today, Cornish oysters are considered among the finest in the world.
The best place to sample their unique, mineral-rich flavour is at Falmouth's annual Oyster Festival. Timed to coincide with the start of the oyster harvesting season in October, the festival features four days of feasting, cooking demonstrations and live music. Oyster lovers will be in heaven. Oyster sceptics will be pleased to discover the other delights on offer, including line-fresh fish, real ales and celebrated local cheeses.