Mention New Year’s Eve in Cornwall, and people immediately think of St Ives. One of the UK’s biggest fancy dress events, this tiny harbour town becomes a spectacular location for ringing in the New Year. Its cobbled roads fill with costume clad revellers from 6pm, providing a whimsical street party atmosphere for adults and children alike. Plus, visitors experience one of Cornwall’s best firework displays over the harbour come midnight.
Discover everything you need to know and more about events, food, and fireworks in our guide to New Year in St Ives.
Why St Ives?
St Ives has a street party atmosphere on New Year’s Eve, which overflows onto the beach when weather and tide permits. Most people will hang out around the harbour, or amble through the town as part of the (unofficial) fancy dress procession which loops along Wharf Road and Fore Street.
You can bring your own drinks outside, as long as they’re in a plastic cup, or dip in and out of the bars, restaurants and pubs. Whatever you decide, it’s best to plan ahead because it gets very busy!
New Year’s Eve fancy dress in St Ives
First things first, if you’re into fancy dress, or celebrating New Year’s Eve with children, St Ives is the place to be. No stone is left unturned, which means that crazy fancy dress idea you’ve always wanted to try… Now is the time to go for it!
You’ll be endlessly entertained with the weird and wonderful outfits on show, with many people making their own. Almost everyone is dressed up, so be warned… if you turn up in regular clothes you’ll be the odd one out.
Don’t have time to sort something out beforehand? Make your first stop Osbornes Grocery & Souvenir Shop (Tregenna Place, TR26 1SB). Or, hire costumes from Kidz R Us at St Ives Theatre, where all proceeds go towards running the venue for children’s amateur dramatics.
Where to drink in St Ives
Looking for the best pubs and bars in St Ives? There are lots of places to duck in and out of, with most allowing children until 9pm. Many will have live music, including everything from traditional folk to more contemporary hits. Not to be missed are:
The Sloop Inn – One of Cornwall’s oldest pubs overlooking the harbour and with a great atmosphere, The Sloop is a core part of St Ives’ history. Most revellers end up there during some point in the evening.
The Lifeboat Inn – A traditional harbourside pub, the Lifeboat Inn is perfectly positioned to grab a couple of drinks before the fireworks. It’s also got more space than some of the other pubs.
The Union Inn – A cosy back street pub a short walk from the harbour, with decent ales on Fore Street. Expect a local feel and friendly atmosphere without the frills.
Beer & Bird – For fans of craft beer, this family-run restaurant is a great place to grab a pint and enjoy the American-style decor and excellent customer service.
Balcony Bar & Kitchen – With elevated views over the waterfront and floor-to-ceiling windows, Balcony Bar allows you to soak up the best of St Ives’ scenery. It’s got a laidback atmosphere but fills quickly.
The Firehouse Bar & Grill – For fans of gin and tonic, we recommend popping into the Firehouse where you’ll find a buzzing atmosphere in the heart of the town. Head to their gin bar or treat yourself to a glass of something else.
The Harbour Pool Club – Looking for somewhere slightly less busy? The Pool club is members only (£5 for a week), overlooking St Ives Bay. Purchase a membership on the day for a great atmosphere and less queues at the bar.
Where to eat in St Ives
If you fancy grabbing a bite to eat, there are plenty of excellent restaurants in St Ives. But, book ahead as many places fill up months in advance for New Year’s Eve. Here are our top picks:
Onzo Pizzeria – Treat yourself to a hearty meal of Neapolitan pizza or other authentic Italian dishes whilst overlooking the harbour. We love the light and airy decor at Onzo, and the fact it’s a great spot for people watching.
Reef & Beef – For locally sourced seafood and steaks, check out Reef & Beef’s New Year’s Eve menu. Based on Fore Street, you’ll be in the heart of the action
Hub St Ives – Grab one of Hub’s famous burgers in their harbourfront restaurant overlooking the sea. It’s a great spot for families and also one of our top picks for satisfying hunger cravings on New Year’s Day.
Porthminster Kitchen – One of the best restaurants in St Ives with sea views, Porthminster Kitchen is known for its contemporary take on Cornish cuisine with a global twist. It’s also one of the best spots for watching the fireworks.
Talay Thai – Another harbourfront option, popular with locals, make your way to Talay for authentic Thai food. Share tapas-style small plates or choose your own main meal. They usually only take walk-ins, but you may be able to reserve for New Years.
Ardor – For Mediterranean-inspired cuisine, book a table at Ardor on Fore Street. Cornish seafood forms a core part of the menu, and there’s a good selection of dishes for veggies. Plus, it’s Michelin recommended.
The Rum and Crab Shack – For fans of seafood, treat yourself to locally-caught crab across a range of dishes and sharers. We also love the R Bar behind the restaurant, where you can channel your inner pirate with over 100 rums on offer.
The other option is to grab a bite to eat in our St Ives self-catered accommodation, then head out with a few snacks in tow.
New Year’s Eve events in St Ives
For the true St Ives experience, it's best to be in the heart of the action around the harbour and town centre. However, there are also a couple of ticketed events in the area:
Harbour Hotel – Treat yourself to a decadent four-course dinner and jazz night at the Harbour Hotel, set behind Porthminster beach. Expect a champagne reception and canapés, followed by top-notch food and a live jazz band.
Carbis Bay New Year’s Eve Party – Make your way to this oceanfront hotel for a three-course meal and live entertainment including a singer and a DJ. You’ll also get excellent views of the fireworks over the harbour.
New Years Eve fireworks in St Ives
As midnight approaches, revellers gradually make their way towards the harbour and onto the beach (if it’s low tide). Expect it to be jam packed with thousands of people anticipating St Ives’ famous firework display (keep a close eye on children as it’s easy to get separated amongst the throngs of people).
It’s always a fantastic event, providing the perfect atmosphere to bring in the New Year and you can’t beat the setting – with light reflecting on the water and lighting up the sky above the boats and the ocean.
St Ives New Year’s Day Swim
Whether you’re looking to clear your head or to start the New Year on a wholesome note, festive swims are a longstanding Cornish tradition.
Bring in the New Year in ultimate Cornwall style by joining the locals for a New Year dip at Porthmeor, one of St Ives’ beaches (midday 1st January 2026). Keep an eye out on local Facebook pages for more info and bring plenty of layers to warm up afterwards.
Other things to do on New Year’s Day in St Ives
If you prefer to stay dry there’s always the option to enjoy one of the many walks in and around St Ives. Afterwards pop into one of the local cafés for lunch, and to soak up more of the sea views, we recommend Porthminster Beach Café or Porthmeor Beach Café for scrumptious eats overlooking the ocean.
St Ives is also known for its excellent shopping with a huge range of independent gift shops and galleries lining its streets. With glassware, jewellery, artisan chocolate and plenty of other goodies, you’re sure to find something that takes your fancy.
Amongst the other things to do in St Ives are going on a bike ride, or visiting the Tate Gallery, which will be open on New Year’s Day. Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and featuring work by modern artists with links to the St Ives area, it is a must-see for visitors.
Or, cook up your own New Year’s feast from your accommodation using Cornish produce. There are a number of local farms which provide food hampers so you can make it hassle free and extra special.
How to get there
When it comes to logistics, your best bet is to book accommodation in St Ives or Carbis Bay. Car parks fill up early, roads close from 6 pm and taxis need to be pre-booked months ahead. For the ultimate convenience, browse our holiday cottages in St Ives with parking.
Tags: New Year's Eve | St Ives | Winter |