Cornish Festivals are back to their best and largest style this summer! After two years of restrictions, music lovers will be able to choose from a dizzying array of musical styles and festival fun against the backdrop of some of Britain’s most beautiful scenery.
With plenty of family friendly options available, the only problem is knowing which one to choose. To help you decide, here’s our lowdown on the best events taking place between June and September.
The Great Estate, Scorrier, 2 – 5 June
Billed as ‘the most rambunctious garden fête’, the Great Estate festival takes place in the grounds of Scorrier House near Redruth. This year’s Jubilee Extravaganza promises a range of big name performers, including Manic Street Preachers, The Sugarhill Gang and Radio 6 Music’s DJ Craig Charles. It’s a family friendly festival, with a vintage fairground, Victorian Sports Day, arts and crafts and circus skills workshops.
Bude and Stratton Folk Festival, 26 – 30 May
Now in its 15th year, this north Cornwall event celebrates the best Cornish folk music and performance. The festival has a ‘joining-in’ ethos, encouraging audience participation. You’ll find workshops for musicians and singers of all abilities as well as children’s events which culminate in a dance on Bark House Green.
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival, 17 – 19 June
Shanty singers assemble from all around the world, including a turn by Cornwall’s famous Fishermen’s Friends, for this, ‘the largest free nautical music and song festival in Europe’. In the back rooms of pubs and on stages across the town, you can enjoy performances celebrating Falmouth’s long, proud history as a port of call for sailing ships.
Tunes in the Dunes, Perranporth, 24 – 26 June
This three day event on the sands of Perranporth is Britain’s biggest beach festival. Musical acts performing to the crowd of 5,000 include The Kooks, Shaggy and The Coral. Meanwhile, the second stage plays host to local musicians and unusual acts from magicians to gospel choirs.
Tropical Pressure Festival, Porthtowan, 15 – 17 July
A small, but perfectly formed family friendly festival on the St Agnes coast, Tropical Pressure offers a mix of infectious music, dance workshops and bountiful food from Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. From babies to grannies, everyone is welcome.
Rock Oyster Festival, Rock, 29 – 31 July
Dinham House on the Camel Estuary is home to this event hosted by local chef Jack Stein. Rock Oyster has a great line-up with live music from Laura Mvula and Happy Mondays, while children will enjoy the circus acts, paddle boarding and archery. As this is a Stein family event, there will of course be the opportunity to try some of the county’s finest oysters, mussels and artisan produce.
Boardmasters, Newquay, 10 – 14 Aug
Cornwall’s blockbuster music festival, beloved by the nation’s teens, plays host this year to big names including George Ezra, Disclosure and Kings of Leon. The event overlooks Watergate Bay, providing probably the best festival view in Britain! And if you’re here for the surfing, head down to Fistral beach for some serious competition.