Cornwall is a magical place to spend the festive season, whether visiting in early December for festive markets and events, during Christmas week or for a New Year getaway Prepare to be enchanted by dazzling displays of colourful lights, which illuminate Cornish harbours, towns and villages. Watch spectacular lantern processions, listen to angelic voices singing carols (and join in yourself too) while warming your hands with a hot chocolate or mulled wine.
Read on to discover some of the wonderful Christmas light switch-on events in Cornwall 2024.
Mousehole Christmas Lights
Thursday the 12th of December
The Mousehole Harbour Lights are some of the most well-known Christmas lights in Cornwall and beyond. With a return of a switch-on event, you can enjoy the famous Mousehole lights in all their glory on the 12th, when the atmosphere turns abuzz with seasonal spirit. Stroll through the village and enjoy the twinkling lights before stopping off for a tipple in the pub.
Falmouth Christmas Lights
Thursday the 28th of November, 7.30pm
Festive fun in Falmouth kicks off with a performance by Sing Choir in The Moor at 5pm, before a fantastical parade winds its way through the town from Events Square. After the procession and Christmas carols, the big festive lights switch-on will take place on the Moor at 7pm. Chow down on churrors as you soak up the seasonal spirit - it's the perfect way to get ready for Christmas!
Bodmin Lights Up
Friday the 29th of November, 6.30pm
For their light switch on this year, the Cornish town of Bodmin has a busy evening planned with carols around the tree, Bodmin Town Band, street performances, Santa’s Workshop, fairground rides and, of course, Santa in his sleigh! After the lights have been switched on, enjoy an evening of late-night shopping and mulled wine.
St Ives Christmas Lights
Monday the 2nd of December, 6pm
Head into St Ives around Christmas and you'll be in for a real treat - Santa will be arriving by lifeboat with the tide at 6pm! After greeting everyone, Santa will make his way to the Royal Square to switch on the lights between 6.45-7pm.
Newquay Christmas Lights
Friday the 29th November, 6.30pm
Festivities begin in the afternoon with family entertainment, live music, and plenty of fantastic stalls. The lights will be switched on at 6.30pm at The Killacourt, with an abundance of entertainment throughout the evening, including a lifesize snow globe for selfies and a Christmas market full of local goodies. There’s also late-night shopping and plenty of restaurants, bistros and bars to retreat to for a refreshing drink or delicious meal.
Mevagissey Christmas Lights
Saturday the 7th of December
Head down to Mevagissey harbour from 4pm to eat, drink, and be merry, enjoying the live entertainment and wonderful community spirit - oh, and did we mention that Santa will be arriving by boat? At around 6pm the lights will be switched on, illuminating the pretty harbour with colourful twinkling lights. Later, Mevagissey’s welcoming pubs and eateries offer somewhere cosy to retreat to. We recommend car sharing or arriving early as car parks will fill up quickly.
Cadgwith Christmas Lights
Saturday the 7th of December, 6pm
This little event is full of community spirit and is sure to get you in the festive mood. The lights are expected to be switched on at around 6pm, after which you can enjoy a warming drink in the local pub. Cadgwith Cove is an unspoilt fishing village that almost seems to have frozen in time and the Cadgwith Cove Inn is a traditional Cornish pub where you’re sure to feel right at home.
Angarrack Christmas Lights
Sunday the 1st of December, 5.30pm
Angarrack is a small village in West Cornwall with a huge reputation surrounding its Christmas lights display. This is a true community event where everyone gets involved to make sure the whole village becomes a winter wonderland. Wrap up warm and explore the streets of Angarrack – the lights will guide the way! See how many of Santa’s reindeer you can spot and seek out the partridge in a pear tree and the 11 other brilliant displays that tell the story of the 12 days of Christmas.
Padstow Christmas Lights
Saturday the 30th of November
Christmas in Padstow is always a colourful event, with the famous Christmas Tree of Lights adding an extra large helping of twinkling joy to the festivities. The switch-on takes place around Market Place and Duke Street, with a display along the harbour featuring lovely messages from the local community. While visiting the beautiful harbour, make sure to stop off at one of the many amazing pubs and restaurants, which range from cosy local inns to award-winning, Michelin recommended favourites.
Looe’s Lantern Parade & Christmas Lights
Friday the 29th of November, 7pm
From 6pm, watch the twinkling procession make its way from East Looe to the seafront. Enjoy some jovial carol singing followed by the big festive light switch-on, including displays on the harbour and the colourful lights and shining star on the Christmas tree, as well as an awe-inspiring firework display.
Cornwall’s Christmas lights will stay up throughout the festive season, so why not go and see them during your festive Cornish break?
Tags: Christmas