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Cornwall Christmas Lights 2024

There’s no time more enchanting than when the twinkle of Christmas lights and decorations light up the villages and streets of Cornwall.

GET IN THE FESTIVE SPIRIT

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.

22nd November

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 22nd November. Johnny Cowling, Lucy Start, Truro BID, and cast members from Hall for Cornwall’s Jack and the Beanstalk, will do the honours of pressing the button and lighting up the Cornish capital. 

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!

📸: Truro BID

29th November

Helston Christmas Light Switch On

On Friday 29th November, the streets of Helston will come alive with twinkling lights and a real party atmosphere. Helston Town Band will play in the lead up to the countdown, and a fireworks spectacular will mark the start of the most wonderful time of the year. 

Alongside the main event, enjoy the evening Christmas market, Santa’s grotto, and live music performed by a variety of singers.

📸: Dan West

28th November

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 Sing Choir, followed by a parade led by Kernow Pipes and Drums through the town, and musical performances from local primary schools. The countdown is at 7pm, followed by a performance by Rock Choir.

Head to our sister hotel, The Greenbank, afterwards to warm up in their waterside bar with one of their new and exclusive festive cocktails.

📸: Falmouth Cornwall UK

29th November

Newquay Christmas Light Switch On

Newquay’s yuletide celebrations kickstart on Friday 29th December, with live music and Christmas carols from local singers and bands such as Queen Tribute, Good Old Fashioned Lover Boys. The best spot to enjoy the music, fireworks and light switch on is outside the Newquay Town Council Offices on Marcus Hill. 

📸: Visit Newquay

7th December

Mevagissey Christmas Light Switch On

Starting at 4pm with a lantern parade by St Austell Brass Band, Mevagissey will be turning on their Christmas lights on Saturday 7th December. Little ones will watch with amazement as Santa arrives by boat to this picturesque harbour town.

Explore plenty of food and drink stalls, enjoy the famous mug tombola, and listen to the beautiful melodies of the Mevagissey ladies choir.

📸: Mevagissey Christmas Lights

22nd November

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 Friday 22nd November from 5:30pm.

Enjoy live music, carols and entertainment from acts such as Andy ‘The Crooner’ Marshall, Acapella Sound, and Elf Stilt Walkers. Then watch as the town is illuminated from 7pm.

📸: Fowey Christmas Market Weekend

 

Throughout December

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 the start of 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.

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