Cornwall Christmas Lights 2023
There’s no time more enchanting than when the twinkle of Christmas lights and decorations light up the villages and streets of Cornwall. The county is about to get a festive glow-up, so here are all the dates you need to know for Cornwall’s Christmas light switch on events.
Truro Christmas Light Switch On
Our great little city will soon be bathed in the dazzling glow of Christmas magic and cheer. The official Christmas light switch on date will be Friday 24th November. Town crier Lionel Knight, and the cast of the Hall For Cornwall’s Peter Pan production, will do the honours of pressing the button and lighting up the Cornish capital.
Throughout the remainder of November and December, expect plenty of festive fun, including late night shopping on Wednesdays, Christmas markets on Lemon Quay, and the new Father Christmas Parade, taking place on 29th November at 6:30pm.
Our halls will be decked at The Alverton, and we’d love you to join us for a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie, or a bite to eat, following the big switch on!
Helston Christmas Light Switch On
Helston is one of the earlier towns in our list of Cornwall’s Christmas light switch on dates. On the 24th November, the streets will be lined with plenty of mouth-watering street food and festive treats, including hog roasts, burgers, churros, crepes, and mulled wine. The town will come to life at 7:30pm, with vibrant, yuletide lights, marking the start of the most wonderful time of the year.
Falmouth Christmas Light Switch On
Head to The Moor in Falmouth and gather around for carol singing, festive food, and the annual light switch on ceremony. The celebrations will be kicking off from 5:30pm, with live music from the Rock Choir, followed by a parade led by Kernow Pipes and Drums through the town, and musical performances from local primary schools. Make sure you’re in prime position for the countdown which will be at 7pm.
Head to our sister hotel, The Greenbank, afterwards to warm up in their waterside bar with one of their new and exclusive festive cocktails.
Newquay Christmas Light Switch On
Newquay’s yuletide celebrations kickstart on the 1st of December, with live music from local singers and bands such as Joe Hurworth, Oll an Gwella, and The Qwest. The best spot to enjoy the music and to be a part of the light switch on at 6:30pm is outside the Newquay Town Council Offices on Marcus Hill.
Angarrack Christmas Light Switch On
Just outside of Hayle, in the quaint village of Angarrack, a glowing treasure hunt awaits. Wander around the brightly lit walkways and winding streets in search of all of the 12 days of Christmas light displays, dotted around the Cornish hamlet. The lights will be turned on from the 2nd of December.
Mevagissey Christmas Light Switch On
Starting with a parade through the streets at 5pm, Mevagissey will be turning on their Christmas lights on the first Saturday of December. Music from St Austell Band will fill the harbour, along with plenty of food and drink stalls.
This year, a new Christmas light will be unveiled, from competition entries by the local school, with the winning student doing the honours of lighting up the harbour at 6pm sharp.
Fowey Christmas Light Switch On
Coinciding with one of the biggest Christmas market events in Cornwall, the riverside town of Fowey will be turning up the festive cheer on the 8th December from 5:30pm, with a special Christmas light parade, church carollers, and over 80 stalls of local creators and makers selling Christmas gifts and yuletide food and drink.
Mousehole Harbour Christmas Lights Switch On
Arguably the most famous and hotly anticipated event of Cornwall’s Christmas light switch on dates, Mousehole harbour will be festooned with the iconic displays in and around the water, from 11th December.
This year, there won’t be an official light switch-on ceremony, but on various evenings across December the fishing village will have live music from local musicians. On the 19th December, the lights will be switched off at 8pm as a mark of respect to the memory of the Penlee Lifeboat disaster of 1981.
Get festive with us
Festive afternoon tea in Cornwall
Afternoon tea is a real treat and our festive version is no exception! Spoil yourself this Christmas with the best flavours of the season. Available throughout December.