Christmas In St Ives Cornwall

Christmas in St Ives: Festive Events, Traditions & Things to Do

There’s something truly magical about Christmas in St Ives. With the twinkling lights reflected in the harbour, the salty tang of sea air mixing with the scent of mulled wine, and cobbled streets buzzing with festive cheer, St Ives is a really special place at Christmas.

This little Cornish town may be famous for its golden beaches, sunshine and art scene in summer, but come December it transforms into a winter wonderland by the sea.

It even comes with Santa arriving on a lifeboat, bustling festive markets, and one of the UK’s best New Year’s Eve street parties.

Our Cornwall Christmas Calendar

***I have tried to be as accurate as I can, but please always check with the venues for dates and times before you attend anything***

(I've just started working on this for 2025. If you have any event you'd like me to add that is near St Ives Cornwall, please email me at hello@stivesbythesea.co.uk).

21st November

22nd November

23rd November

26th November

27th November

28th November

29th November

30th November

3rd December

4th December

5th December

6th December

7th December

11th December

12th December

13th December

14th December

15th December

16th December

17th December

18th December

19th December

20th December

21st December

22nd December

23rd December

24th December

25th December

26th December

27th December

28th December

29th December

30th December

31st December

1st January

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights St Ives Cornwall

Watch the Christmas lights being switched on. From St Ives to Falmouth, Penzance to Perranporth, there are some lovely Christmas lights switch on events across the county.

Some of the best are St Ives (biased I know), Newlyn and the amazing Mousehole Christmas lights. Angarrack is also really special - but it is getting incredibly busy year on year!

For us, Christmas isn’t Christmas without a visit to the Mousehole lights!

One place I simply have to mention for Christmas lights is The Lost Gardens of Heligan. They have a night walk which is simply magical. Click here to take a look.

Christmas Markets

Christmas Markets St Ives Cornwall

There are Christmas Markets, fairs, bazaars and fayres galore across Cornwall. We have so many local makers producing some beautiful things that make perfect, thoughtful presents.

Don't forget, the St Ives Farmers' Market is still running evening Monday in The Island Centre in St Ives. Visit their Facebook page for more info >>

In addition, every Wednesday in The Island Centre is the St Ives Artisan Market.

Meet Father Christmas

Santa Grottos Father Christmas St Ives Cornwall

There are lots of lovely santa's grottos, Winter Wonderlands and even Santa trains where your children can meet Father Christmas. Ones to look at are:


Trevena Cross Garden Centre - no info yet - not sure if they are doing their usual Christmas events?

Late Night Shopping & Free Parking

Late Night Christmas Shopping St Ives Cornwall

Each town in Cornwall holds several late night shopping events.

These ususally also have FREE car parking - an absolute blessing, especially in St Ives. The details and dates have not yet been released. I will update when I see them.

Late Night Shopping

Truro - Wednesday 26th November – Wednesday 17th December & Monday 22nd December . Every Wednesday many shops will be open until 9.00pm with Monday 22nd December as an extra late night for last minute presents.

Christmas Trees

Christmas Trees St Ives Cornwall

Christmas isn’t Christmas to us without the annual choosing of our Christmas tree. If you are in St Ives, there is always a house on the Higher Stennack selling real Christmas trees. We have had one of these before and it was wonderful.

Places to buy Christmas trees in and around St Ives:

There is also usually a Christmas tree seller on the A30 when you drive from St Erth to Penzance. I know a few people who like to buy them from there.

Parades and Celebrations

Christmas Lantern Parades St Ives Cornwall

Pantos and Christmas Shows

Rogue Otherworld Theatre Christmas St Ives Cornwall

Ice Skating

Ice Skating Christmas St Ives Cornwall

We seem to now have THREE places we can ice skate this Christmas in Cornwall!

Santa Arriving On The RNLI Boat

Santa Father Christmas RNLI St Ives Cornwall

A real highlight of Christmas in St Ives is Santa arriving by the RNLI boat. Around 6pm one evening in early December, children gather down at the harbour. The red flare goes up and Santa sails into the harbour. The boat goes up and down the prom, while he waves at everyone. 

He then gets off the boat and parades into Royal Square for the Christmas Lights switch on. There is music, mulled wine and often snow (sadly fake as we are in the warm winds of Cornwall).

Montol

Montol Penzance Christmas St Ives Cornwall

Montol Festival is a vibrant midwinter celebration held annually in Penzance, Cornwall, on the 21st of December, coinciding with the winter solstice.

Revived in 2007, the festival draws inspiration from ancient Cornish traditions and customs associated with the old Christmas. The name "Montol" comes from the Cornish word for "midwinter" and is a nod to the festival's roots in the community's history.

The main event features a procession of masked revellers, fire performers, and 'obby 'osses (traditional Cornish hobby horses), creating a spectacle of light and sound through the streets of Penzance.

Participants often dress in elaborate costumes, embodying characters from Cornish folklore and adding to the festival's mystical atmosphere.

The evening culminates with the lighting of the "Mock," a ceremonial bonfire symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness.

Montol Festival offers a unique opportunity to experience Cornwall's rich cultural heritage and the warmth of community spirit during the darkest days of the year.

The Mousehole Cat

The Mousehole Cat is a beloved children's book by Antonia Barber, illustrated by Nicola Bayley, that brings to life a Cornish legend.

Set in the picturesque village of Mousehole, the story follows Mowzer, a brave cat, and her fisherman owner, Tom, as they venture out to sea during a fierce winter storm to save their starving community.

Their courageous journey, filled with magic and heroism, culminates in the creation of the iconic stargazy pie. First published in 1990, the book has captivated readers with its enchanting tale and beautiful illustrations, becoming a cherished part of Cornwall's literary heritage.

It has now been turned into a play which is performed over the Christmas period in the Solomon Browne Hall in Mousehole.

Tom Bawcock's Eve

Tom Bawcock’s Eve is a magical Cornish tradition held every 23rd December in the picturesque village of Mousehole.

The festival commemorates the legendary tale of Tom Bawcock, a brave fisherman who, in the 16th century, ventured out into a fierce winter storm to catch enough fish to save his starving community.

His return with a bountiful catch led to the creation of the iconic Stargazy Pie, a fish pie with heads poking through the crust, symbolising the fish gazing at the stars.

Today, the village celebrates with a lantern procession, the singing of the "Tom Bawcock's Eve" song, and, of course, the sharing of Stargazy Pie at The Ship Inn. 

The evening is further illuminated by the enchanting Mousehole Christmas lights, making it a heartwarming highlight of Cornwall’s festive calendar.

Church Services

Christmas Church Services St Ives Cornwall

The churches in St Ives always put on really lovely family friendly Christmas services. The St Ives Parish Church has a Christmas Eve service around 5pm which is great for kids.

Christmas Swims In The Sea

Boxing Day Swim Christmas St Ives Cornwall

A staple part of Christmas in Cornwall is a dip in the sea. There are lots of organised events, many of which are raising money for charity. There is the Christmas Eve Swim in Penzance, the Gwithian Christmas Day swim and the St Ives Boxing Day swim on Porthminster Beach.

There are also several New Years Day swims further up in Cornwall.

Read more about the St Ives Boxing Day Swim >>

New Year's Eve Celebrations

New Years Eve Celebrations St Ives Cornwall

The festive season in Cornwall is finished off in style by New Year’s Eve. New Year’s Eve is celebrated in St Ives by a big party in the harbour. Everyone dresses up in amazing fancy dress and parties in the street and on the beach. At midnight there is a spectacular fireworks display.

Read more about New Year's Eve in St Ives >>

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