Cath
06 November 2023
Cornwall is a magical place to visit at any time of the year, but even more so in the festive season. The county hosts some of the best Christmas markets in the UK, and what better way to get into the Christmas spirit than festive music, twinkling lights, Christmas themed entertainment and stalls full of festive arts and crafts which are all guaranteed at many of the events mentioned in this guide.
Wandering through a Christmas market and picking out gifts and stocking fillers is a much more enjoyable way to shop for Christmas than scrolling through the internet for gifts.
Taking place throughout November and December, here we have compiled a list of our favourite Christmas markets and events that you won’t want to miss.
Truro Christmas Market
Photo credit: Visit Truro
The award-winning Truro Farmers Market is back from 29 November with traders from across Cornwall. Lemon Quay in Truro will be full of bespoke wooden cabins with Cornwall’s top traders and producers selling everything from local food, drink, arts and crafts.
Where: Lemon Quay, Truro
Dates: 29 November–24 December 2023
Times:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 9am–5pm
Wednesdays 9am–9pm
Sundays 10am–4pm
Padstow Christmas Festival
Photo credit: Padstow Christmas Festival
The Padstow Christmas Festival is one of the largest, annual Christmas markets in the South West, held across four days at the start of December in the iconic harbour town of Padstow. During the festival, more than 60 of the country’s best chefs will take part in cooking demonstrations too. The large Christmas market has stalls ranging from local arts and crafts to tempting food and drink.
(Entry to the market is free, tickets for the chefs’ cooking demonstrations are an optional additional charge)
Where: Padstow Harbour
Dates: 7–10 December 2023
Times:
Thursday: 12–6pm
Friday: 10am–8.30pm
Saturday: 10am–6pm
Sunday: 10am–5pm
Healey’s Christmas Market, near Truro
Photo credit: Healey’s
Held across six weekends from 11 November, Healey’s Cyder Farm will transform into a festive world of Christmas songs and crafts with mulled cyder and hearty food. With a Christmas market, Christmas cookie decorating, Christmas cocktail making, and much more, this is a wonderful way to get into the Christmas spirit.
(Guided tours and experiences are an optional extra charge)
Where: Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm
Dates: Every weekend from 11 November until 17 December 2023
Times: 9am–5pm
Fowey Christmas Festival
Photo credit: Fowey Christmas Festival
Fowey Christmas Market is one of Cornwall’s most magical annual festive events with almost 100 stalls spread throughout the harbour town of Fowey. You can expect quality locally produced food and drink, Christmas shopping, seasonal music, entertainment and family fun; perfect for those on the hunt for the very best stocking fillers.
Where: Fowey Town Quay
Dates: 8, 9 and 10 December 2023
Times:
Friday: 5.30–8.30pm
Saturday: 10am–5.30pm
Sunday: 10am–4pm
Cornwall Winter Fair, Wadebridge
Photo credit: Cornwall Winter Fair
The annual Cornwall Winter Fair is all about celebrating the best of Cornish food and farming. It’s a free event, held at the Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge, and incorporates the Wadebridge Prime Stock Show, which has been running for over 140 years on the Saturday.
The Wadebridge Prime Stock Show is all about competitions, with a packed schedule which includes cattle, sheep, produce, craft and cookery classes. The Winter Market runs across both days with stalls showcasing locally created gifts, food and drink.
Where: Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
Dates: 18 and 19 November 2023
Times:
Saturday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 10am-4pm
Bedruthan Christmas Fayre, Mawgan Porth
Photo credit: Bedruthan
The Bedruthan Christmas Fayre is an annual event which is full of stalls from a mix of talented craftspeople and artisan makers. Join one of the Christmas crafting drop-in sessions throughout the weekend which include card making, decorations, biscuit decoration and jewellery. Christmas cheer will be in full supply with carol singers, Christmas-themed afternoon teas and Santa’s grotto.
Where: Bedruthan, Mawgan Porth
Dates: 18 and 19 November 2023
Times: 10am–5pm
Prices: £3 a ticket with optional extra charges for workshops and Santa.
Heartlands Christmas Market, Redruth
Photo credit: Heartlands
Head to the Heartlands Christmas Market where you can expect over 80 local artisans and traders, Santa’s Grotto, wreath-making workshops, live entertainment, a snow machine and much more!
Set in what’s known as ‘Cornwall’s cultural playground’, children will especially enjoy visiting Heartlands and learning about the history of Cornish mining and the impact that it had all around the world.
(Entry to the market is free with optional additional charges for visiting Santa, wreath making etc)
Where: Heartlands, Robinson's Shaft, Dudnance Lane, Redruth, TR15 3QY
Dates: 2 and 3 December 2023
Times: 10am–4pm
Cottages for Christmas in Cornwall
Are you ready to book a holiday cottage in Cornwall this Christmas period? Browse our wide range of self-catering holiday homes and cottages today. From romantic cottages for a festive weekend escape just for two, to larger properties for the whole family, we have a great selection of cottages in Cornwall for your next break.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.