Cornwall’s festive season comes with plenty of ways to shop local, sample seasonal treats and soak up a little Christmas magic. From city-centre chalets to harbour-side stalls and makers’ fairs, here are markets and festive events to put in your 2026 diary.
Bude Christmas Fayre
Christmas returns to the heart of Bude with a community celebration across The Parkhouse Centre and The Castle Heritage Centre. Browse an indoor market packed with local makers, artisan producers, handmade gifts and festive treats, then enjoy live performances, family workshops and activities at both venues.
Whether you’re ticking off your gift list or making a day of seasonal food, entertainment and family fun, Bude’s fayre promises a lively celebration of local creativity and community spirit.
- Saturday, December 5, 2026
- The Parkhouse Centre and The Castle, Bude
- 11am–4pm
Christmas Markets at Quayside Centre, West Looe
West Looe’s Quayside Centre hosts two festive markets, giving visitors a chance to browse work by local businesses, artisans and crafters—and pick up gifts while shopping local.
Free parking will also be available on the market dates, as well as December 19, at Buller Quay in East Looe and West Looe Quay car parks. Parking runs from 8am on each date until 8am the following Sunday.
- Market dates: Saturday, December 5 and Saturday, December 12
- Time: 10am–4pm
- Venue: Quayside Centre, West Looe
- Free parking: December 5, 12 and 19
The harbour’s festive lights are being prepared for a switch-on event and lantern parade on November 27. Later in the month, the Tinsel Tractor Run rolls into town on Sunday, December 20, with around 50 tractors due at Buller Quay from 5.30pm.
Truro Christmas Market
Lemon Quay will glow with rows of wooden chalets as Truro Christmas Market returns for 34 days, from Saturday, November 21, to Christmas Eve. Browse independent traders selling crafts, jewellery, artwork, clothing, homeware and even gifts for pets, then refuel with Cornish food, mulled cider and other festive favourites.
This year brings an expanded street-food area with more seating, a new stage for local musicians, choirs and bands, and additional wreath-making workshops. Look out for Wednesday late-night shopping and street markets on Boscawen Street on selected days.
Free entry, daily from November 21 to December 24, on Lemon Quay.
Cornwall Christmas Fair at the Eden Project
Set beneath the Eden Project’s famous Biomes, the Cornwall Christmas Fair gathers more than 70 artisan stalls for two days of festive shopping and seasonal food. Now in its 35th year, the volunteer-run fair has raised over £1.1 million for charity. In 2026, proceeds will support Cornwall Community Foundation and grassroots groups tackling poverty, isolation and disadvantage across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Tickets include lunch and admission to Eden, making this a festive outing with a charitable purpose.
- Preview evening: Wednesday, November 18, 5–9pm
- Day fair: Thursday, November 19, 10am–4pm
- Venue: Eden Kitchen and Biomes, near St Austell
- Tickets are available through the Cornwall Christmas Fair website.
Bedruthan Christmas Fayre
For a seaside setting and plenty to keep little ones occupied, head to the Bedruthan Hotel and Spa overlooking Mawgan Porth. South West makers will bring art, ceramics, textiles, illustration, homewares, fashion, jewellery and food, while families can enjoy Christmas crafts, bakery treats and playtime in Jungle Tumble.
- Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 10am–5pm
- Entry: £2 per person
Cornwall Christmas Market at the Royal Cornwall Showground
Expect a full-on festive day out at the Royal Cornwall Events Centre in Wadebridge. More than 100 traders, food halls and light displays set the scene, with a giant Christmas tree, carol singers, street performers, reindeer and Santa’s grotto adding to the atmosphere.
- Friday, December 11: 5–8.30pm
- Saturday, December 12: 10am–7.30pm
- Sunday, December 13: 10am–4pm
Padstow Christmas Fayre
Padstow’s harbour will be the backdrop for four festive days celebrating Cornish food and drink. Around 50 chefs—including Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Emily Scott and Mark Hix—are set to host live demonstrations, alongside masterclasses, an artisan market, live music, carols, a lantern parade and fireworks.
The community-led event will also raise money for charities including Hospitality Action, The Fisherman’s Mission and Padstow Lifeboat.
- Thursday, December 3 to Sunday, December 6
- Free to attend
Falmouth Festive Weekend
Falmouth’s town centre gets a festive makeover on Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13, with a new Christmas Market, live music, an ice rink, a snow globe and family entertainment. The Moor’s Christmas cabins will stay open through Saturday, December 19.
- Town-centre festivities: 11am–5pm both days
Made in Cornwall Christmas Fair at Truro Cathedral
Step inside Truro Cathedral’s nave to browse work by Cornwall’s makers, artists and producers. This free-entry fair features gifts, decorations, festive food and drink, with traders selected through the Made in Cornwall scheme.
- Wednesday, November 25 to Saturday, November 28
- Free entry
Penzance Festive Markets and Montol
Penzance’s festive season stretches across December, with markets building towards Montol, the town’s midwinter celebration on the shortest day of the year.
- Polgoon Vineyard Christmas Market: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 11am–3pm
- Montol Festival and Midwinter Market: Monday, December 21, with street markets, lanterns and guisers around town
Charlestown Christmas Markets
Charlestown offers two ways to browse festive stalls. The indoor market returns for its ninth year at Penrice Academy, with more than 50 local makers and seasonal produce under cover. Later, open-air market cabins will bring gifts, warming drinks and street food to the historic harbour, alongside the village lights switch-on, a tractor parade and Santa’s Grotto.
- Indoor market: Saturday, November 21 and Sunday, November 22, 11am–4pm
- Harbour markets: December 5–6 and December 12–13
Festive Fowey
Fowey’s familiar Christmas Market has been cancelled, but a new programme of festive markets and craft fairs will fill the gap. Events are planned on 14 days between November 26 and December 17, with independent shops and late-night shopping adding to the season’s atmosphere.
The main Festive Fowey Makers’ Market at the Town Hall runs Friday, November 27 to Sunday, November 29. Late-night shopping is planned for Thursdays.
St Ives Christmas Market
Local makers, seasonal food and family activities return to Polmanter’s Stable Bar and Restaurant. Santa is expected too, with a grotto for children that requires advance booking. Entry and parking are free, and dogs are welcome.
- Saturday, November 28: 10am–6pm
- Sunday, November 29: 10am–4pm
- Santa’s grotto: £10 per child; booking required
Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fayre
Set in the grounds and historic rooms of Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, this weekend fair mixes artisan gifts and regional food with live entertainment and family activities. Expect festive touches including alpacas and a visit from Santa.
- Saturday, December 12 and Sunday, December 13
- Free entry
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm
At Healeys, festive shopping comes with a taste of the orchard. Local makers, artists and food producers will set up in the cobbled courtyard and Old Bottlery restaurant, with craft stalls, live music, local choirs, tractor rides and farm animals to meet. Warm up with mulled cyder, browse the farm shop or settle in for a Sunday roast.
- Weekends from November 14 to December 20
- Every Saturday and Sunday
Dates and event details are based on the information provided and may change; check with organisers before travelling.
This article was curated from various sources.
