From thousands of daffodil-bearing schoolchildren descending on the townspeople, sea shanties performed on every corner and a chance to celebrate oyster-dredging season to live nativity, sailing regattas and santas on the run: Falmouth has a reputation for a packed calendar of events and 2018 is no different…
18 March
This Half Marathon is back for its 8th year to raise funds for Cornwall Hospice Care. Join the Falmouth Road Runners for this challenging road run through the beautiful coast and countryside of Falmouth.
15 March–2 April
This is a vibrant, community-orientated event and the first main festival of the year and celebrates Falmouth’s open and green spaces. Highlights include Paint the Town Yellow Day on 15 March when 40,000 daffodils are handed out to the people of Falmouth by local schoolchildren and University of Exeter students.
24 and 25 March
This legendary flower festival has marked the start of spring in Falmouth for over a century with wonderful displays of shrubs, daffodils and cacti at the Princess Pavillion.
30 March–2 April
Part of the Falmouth Spring Festival, this four-day festival is a place to sit, relax, listen to folk music, sample 80 regional ciders together with hog roast and barbecues, arts market and Cornish produce pavilion.
Cornwall Harp & Gurdy Festival
18–20 May
Internationally-renowned musicians will perform at different venues throughout the town including The Poly, churches, pubs, cafes, schools and the Rugby Club.
Falmouth Street Food & Craft Ales Festival
25–28 May
Follow the aromas down to Events Square and you’ll find the best of Cornwall’s street food producers cooking up mouth-watering dishes from around the world that will have your belly bursting with flavour paired with the finest craft ales. A vibrant arts, craft and local produce market and a full programme of musical entertainment to give a relaxing atmosphere to the Bank Holiday Weekend.
25 May–3 June
This fantastic 10-day festival is a not-for-profit community festival which encompasses more than 150 events varying from music, drama and the arts to heritage, gig racing, swimming, walking and more. It’s a chance to embrace the places, people, history, culture, sport and industry that are connected by this very Cornish river.
Falmouth 50 Parade of Sail
14 June
The Suhaili Falmouth 50 celebrates the day world-renowned sailor Sir Robin Knox-Johnston set out from Falmouth to win the original Golden Globe Race, becoming the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world.
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
22–24 June
The largest free maritime music festival on the planet features shanty bands and singers from across the UK and Europe to create a wonderfully diverse range of shanties performed on stages throughout the town. The festival raises funds for the RNLI.
22–24 June
A three-day rally of classic sailing craft and other traditional vessels, including pilot gigs and motor boats. The Classics, supported by the Royal Cornwall Yacht Club, once again runs concurrently with the very popular International Sea Shanty Festival, which offers three days of spectacular entertainment at 26 venues throughout the town.
ZestiFAL
29 July
ZestiFAL showcases a whole range of different activities for you to have a go at. The town will be transformed with loads of activities, sports and initiatives all inviting people of all ages and abilities to take part. This is an opportunity to try something new from pilates and zumba to tennis, climbing, hockey, scuba, circus skills and paddle-boarding.
10–19 August
Head for the waterfront for one of the most prominent sailing regattas in the South West, with yachts from many classes racing over eight days along with a lively programme of shoreside events.
11–14 October
The highlight of Falmouth’s Autumn calendar, this nationally recognised, award-winning annual festival celebrates the start of the oyster dredging season. The festivities include an oyster bar, a wide variety of seafood, wines and Champagne, real ales and stouts. When your belly is full browse the arts, crafts, food and drink halls, watch chef demos and enjoy Cornish musical entertainment.
21 October
Join Cornish marine experts at Pendennis Point, Falmouth and conduct a marine wildlife survey. Learn more about the amazing marine life in Cornish waters, meet other volunteers and enjoy a cliff-top tea and cake.
29 November–24 December
Launching with the Christmas Lights Switch On and Parade, Christmas in Falmouth includes late-night shopping, a live nativity parade on Christmas Eve. Grab your Santa suit and join Cornwall’s largest Santa Fun Run and help raise money for a great cause.
NYE Fireworks Display
31 December
Head to Pendennis Castle for the perfect view of the display along the seafront at midnight. You can also join revellers along the sea front.
