Christmas celebrations in Cornwall

As the saying goes ‘tis the season to be jolly’, but if spiralling costs and falling house prices have dented your Christmas cheer and left you feeling like your cracker has already been pulled, head to Cornwall to rekindle your festive sprit. As well as mountains of mince pies and mulled wine you’ll find traditional Christmas markets, yuletide events and a warm welcome. Cornwall has everything for the perfect Christmas -there’s even room at the Inn!

It could last the whole year but we’ve squeezed Cornwall’s festive fun into the traditional twelve days of Christmas to give you a taste of what’s on offer…

On the fist day of Christmas…visit the City of Lights Festival (19th November)
Lighten up dark winter nights by taking in the spectacular sight of Truro’s City of Light Festival. Giant lanterns fill the streets and parade through the City to the sounds of a live Samba band as brightly coloured dancers weave between them. A grand fireworks display completes the festival as a special choral performance celebrates the coming of Christmas. Trurocityoflights.co.uk

On the second day of Christmas…get your skates on at Eden’s Winter Wonderland (28 Nov – 4th Jan)
The Eden Project is a special place to visit at anytime of the year but as it transforms into a winter wonderland over the festive period it becomes truly magical. Where else in the world can you step out of the tropical heat onto an ice skating rink and then into the arms of Father Christmas? Eden also offers a guilt-free shopping experience with ethical gifs and local products. You can fill up your Christmas stockings whilst also reducing your carbon footprint! Edenproject.com

On the third day of Christmas…see a whale and sea monster in lights (13th Dec)
The small fishing village of Mousehole has a big reputation; it’s the place to see Christmas lights in Cornwall. A weird and wonderful collection of illuminations sparkle in the harbour, casting images of whales and dolphins across the water as well as the more traditional outline of Father Christmas riding his sleigh. The flicking of the switch is always a momentous occasion and year takes place on 13th Dec but visit any evening* until 3rd Jan and you can see the village in lights.

(* except for on the 19th December when they will be switched off for 1hr between 8pm and 9pm to mark the anniversary of the tragic loss of Solomon Brown lifeboat crew and the Union Star crew.)

On the fourth day of Christmas…indulge in a party season pamper
Christmas means parties so a spa session during the festive season isn’t just a luxury it’s a must. Following a wave of contemporary spas openings across Cornwall you can take your pick of where to indulge but with Christmas just around the corner it’s the perfect excuse for chocolate. Succumb to your sweeter side by heading to The Beeches Spa in Charlestown on the south coast of Cornwall and sample the spa’s signature treatment, Choco Minceur. Designed by world famous Italian chocolatier this treatment begins with a teasing taste of luxury chocolate before all things delicious are smothered all over you to leave you smelling good enough to eat! Thebeechescharlestown.co.uk

On the fifth day of Christmas…shop, shop, shop!
Mix high street retailers with unique Cornish markets and you’ve got the perfect recipe for Christmas shopping. In Cornwall you’ll find enough Christmas markets to keep even the most energetic of shopaholics amused and a gift selection so wide that buying for the tricky person who has everything becomes a doddle. But it won’t be just shopping bags that you come away with, even bah humbugs will be hard pushed to visit a Christmas market without leaving with a festive glow. Grab your shopping list and make a beeline for the following Cornish markets…

Made in Cornwall Market: 26th – 29th Nov
Padstow Christmas Market: 4th – 7th Dec
Trevarno Christmas Fair: 13th & 14th, 20th – 23rd Dec
Fowey Christmas Market: 6th and 7th Dec
Victorian Market: 10th - 14th Dec
Trelissick Christmas Market: 13th and 14th Dec
Newquay Christmas Fair: 19th – 21st Dec

On the sixth day of Christmas…meet Father Christmas
It’s the time of the year when your past comes back to haunt you. Father Christmas only gives presents to good boys and girls, so own up…have you been naughty or nice? Confession time comes in the most unusual of places in Cornwall. Father Christmas has swapped his sleigh for a stream train and can be found onboard the Bodmin and Wenford Railway every weekend during December. After stepping on board at Bodmin you will be taken on a journey to Father Christmas’s grotto where children can divulge their Christmas wishes and adults can enjoy a glassed of mulled wine. Bodminandwenfordrailway.co.uk

On the seventh day of Chirstmas…watch a panto (12th Dec – 4th Jan)
A visit to the pantomime is as much a part of Christmas as decorating the tree and giving presents so what better place to indulge in the ultimate Christmas activity than at the Hall for Cornwall with Cinderella. Altogether now - “He’s behind you...” Hallforcornwall.co.uk

On the eighth day of Christmas…Cotehele
Christmas wouldn’t be complete without carols so make a visit to the National Trust managed Tudor house of Cotehele in South East Cornwall where a programme of choir services is running throughout December. As well as local choirs such as the Calstock Singers and Callington Methodist Choir, Cotehele’s great hall is set to welcome the official BBC choir for a Christmas celebration. Nationaltrust.org.uk/cotehele

On the ninth day of Christmas…cuddle up by the fire in a Cornish retreat
Escape the Christmas shopping and hide from winter chills next to a crackling log fire in a beachside bar or country pub. With a haven around almost every corner you won’t have to go far to find the perfect retreat to while away a few hours.

Take a window seat in a wave splashed cafe and settle back with a hot chocolate piled high with cream and marshmallows – the perfect accompaniment to an afternoon watching surfers do their thing! Or head inland for a traditional pub where you will be wrapped up in a cosy atmosphere. If you need some inspiration you won’t go far wrong with a visit to the Gylly Beach Café in Falmouth or The Victoria Inn near Penzance, winners in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2008.

On the tenth day of Christmas…meet Rudolph (13th, 14th & 20th – 23rd Dec)
Before setting out on his busiest night of the year helping Father Christmas deliver presents Rudolph is making a stop at the magnificent Country Estate of Trevarno near Helston. Pop along to offer him a carrot and enjoy Trevarno’s festive entertainment and woodland walks. Trevarno.co.uk

On the eleventh day of Christmas…experience the great outdoors
Make way for all the calories you will be pilling on over Christmas by wrapping up warm and taking a brisk coastal walk. With windbreaks banished and sunbathers in hibernation you can enjoy the luxury of a deserted beach. Or why not experience one of Britain’s favourite walks and stomp the South West Coast Path - with more than 300 miles to choose from there’s little chance you will pass a fellow walker. If you need any more persuasion there’s a guilt-free mince pie waiting for you at the end! Southwestcoastpath.com

On the twelfth day of Christmas…try Stargazey Pie (23rd Dec)
The 23rd December isn’t just the day before Christmas Eve in Mousehole it’s also Tom Bowcock’s Eve, a festival held in celebration of the efforts of Mousehole resident, Tom Bawcock. As the tale goes when the village was in the depths of famine Tom Boawcock risked his life to go out to sea to fish. He returned a hero having caught seven types of fish for the village to feast on. In his honour the seven fish have been combined in a dished named Stargazey Pie and is served to village residents on the 23rd December every year.

For further ideas of where to go and what to do in Cornwall over the festive period see Visitcornwall.com.