From foodies festivals and theatre nights to garden visits and artist trails Cornwall is alive with things to see and do throughout 2018. The biggest challenge will be deciding what to do and when to visit the county. Here’s our roundup of the year ahead.

City of Lights

Wednesday 31 January
Truro
Giant lanterns parade through the historic city streets. There’s music and dancing with children from schools all over Cornwall taking part.

Swan Lake, St Petersburg Ballet

Friday 19 & Saturday 20 January
Hall for Cornwall, Truro
A tragic tale of love and betrayal with an instantly recognisable score. This is the epic story of Prince Siegfried and his true love Odette.

Brendan Cole

Friday 2 & Saturday 3 February
Hall for Cornwall, Truro
The bad boy of the ballroom returns to Truro with his impressive show All Night Long. Expect dazzling choreography, live music and plenty of special effects.

Bill Bailey

Monday 19 - Thursday 22 February
Hall for Cornwall, Truro
With two decades of touring under his belt Bill Bailey has plenty of material for his new show Transit Lark. All about his time on the road the legendary South West comic tackles politics, philosophy and the pursuit of happiness. Tickets are selling fast with some performances already sold out!

English Touring Theatre - The Marriage of Figaro and Ill tabarro & Gianni schicchi

Hall for Cornwall, Truro
Tuesday 13 (The Marriage of Figaro) & Wednesday 14 (Il tabarro & Gianni Schicchi) March
Comical love story, brooding romance and murder - English Touring Theatre perform an eclectic mix of operas from Mozart and Puccini.

Fields of Daffodils

Various gardens throughout Cornwall including The Alverton
Throughout March and April

I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

William Wordsworth understood the magical sight of a sea of daffodils and throughout March and into April you’ll find just that. See them in The Alverton garden or venture just out of Truro to the National Trust’s Trelissick Gardens.

PORTHLEVEN FOOD FESTIVAL

Friday 20 - Sunday 22 April
Porthleven
With food stalls from around the world make sure you leave plenty of room so you can get stuck in. Watch some of the industry's best chefs at work live on stage in the chef's theatre.

OPEN WEEKEND AT TREGOTHNAN ESTATE

Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 April
Tresillian
Tregothnan Estate is still a privately owned family home, but on certain days in the year they swing open their gates to welcome visitors far and wide to help raise money for charity. With 100 acres of land reaching the Fal River there’s plenty to explore.

OPEN STUDIOS CORNWALL

Saturday 19 - Monday 28 May
Throughout Cornwall
Take a peek behind the studio doors of some of Cornwall’s most talented craftspeople and artists. Find studios on clifftops, hidden in woodlands and at the end of country lanes also making it the ideal way to check out Cornwall’s hidden gems.

FAL RIVER FESTIVAL

Friday 25 May - Sunday 3 June
Various locations along the River Fal.
A 10 day festival with the Fal River at its heart - bringing together the unique places, people, history and culture of the Fal. It’s the perfect way to explore the river with adventures along the way. Use one of the Fal River boats to take you from venue to venue.

ROYAL CORNWALL SHOW

Thursday 7 - Saturday 9 June
Wadebridge
Royal Cornwall Show is Cornwall’s largest agricultural fair. Expect hundreds of animals (from birds of prey to shire horses), flower competitions, dog shows and shopping. Head to the fun fair, check out Cornish wrestling or discover some of the rarest animal breeds.

SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL

Friday 22 - Sunday 24 June
Falmouth
From across the world shanty singers descend on Falmouth for a weekend of hearty singing and celebrations. With 23 official venues hosting performances throughout the town you can venue hop whilst discovering the great independent shops, beautiful beaches and glorious gardens.

FALMOUTH WEEK

Friday 10 - Sunday 19 August
Falmouth
Falmouth week is the highlight of the town’s annual events calendar and with competitive sailing, great music, the red arrows and fireworks it’s no surprise. Falmouth is a 27 minute drive from The Alverton, or you can take one of the Fal River boats that depart a short walk away from the hotel.

Late Night Christmas Shopping

Mid November
Truro
Late night christmas shopping is less about hurrying around the shops it’s about slowing down, sipping mulled wine, listening to festive tunes played by the local brass band, sneaking a fresh doughnut or two and walking through Truro's historic streets to check out the twinkling lights.

MOUSEHOLE LIGHTS

Mid December and into January
Mousehole
By day Mousehole is a busy fishing village but in December when the sun sets and darkness falls the historic harbour becomes the home of Christmas. A string of lanterns made from beach buckets are hung between the lamp posts and brightly lit boats bob on the lapping tide. It’s a real village effort with twinkling lights shining in the narrow streets. Sip sweet mulled wine as you explore this festive treat.

Found in the heart of Cornwall The Alverton makes the perfect base for your Cornish holiday. If you’re looking to visit between April 1st and 15th October, save up to 20% off your accommodation with our summer stay and save offer.