Summer in Cornwall is beautiful. There is so much to love, from sunny beach days and coastal hikes to sea, surf and stopping for a drink with an incredible sea view.
However, there is something so special about the winter here. First of all, the crowds have largely dissipated so everything is a bit more relaxed.
But more than that, the darker evenings lead to cosy winter walks and twinkling lights at every turn, especially over the festive period. If you need a little inspiration, then you're in the right place.
Here are eight magical things to do in Cornwall over the festive season
1. Mousehole Harbour Lights
Location: Mousehole
Price: Free (but donations welcome)
The Mousehole Harbour light display has been going on since 1963 and is organised and funded every year by volunteers and donations, which in itself is incredible!
The display also runs for around a month, between December and January and includes some small festive events during this time; the most enjoyable is the carol singing service from local groups.
The light display itself is simple but effective, the beautiful giant illuminations include colourful lanterns, boats, candles, twinkling lights and even a giant serpent in the water. You can visit the harbour as soon as the sun sets, but the display is perhaps most incredible at high tide when all the lights dance off the walls and the water.
While you're there, you can also take a walk through the village where there are even more lights shining. You can stop and enjoy a drink in the cosy pub or simply take in the festive cheer as you stroll down the gorgeous cobbled streets, and enjoy the nostalgic charm of this wonderful Cornish village.
Just be aware that the village is very small and the roads are tight! Plus, they are usually filled with people heading down to see the lights so it’s best not to drive down into the town. Being a small place, parking can be a little bit tricky, but if you park up on the hill or slightly further out of the village, you can walk down for a much more relaxing start to your evening out.
2. Christmas at Eden
Location: Bodelva (near St Austell)
Price: Starts from £33
The Eden Project has so much going on throughout the year but at Christmas, it truly comes alive with an enchanting festival of lights.
The world-famous biomes play host to a beautiful display of twinkling lights that fill every tree and every corner.
However, it’s not just lights that make Eden special at this time of year, walking around the biomes you will get to experience the incredible canopies, rainforests and enchanted worlds in all their glory.
And, as it’s Christmas time, you can also enjoy ice skating, Father Christmas, carols and festive treats alongside the incredible light display.
3. Truro Christmas Market
Location: Truro Town Centre
Price: Free
The award-winning farmers market from Truro has recently expanded to become the Big Christmas Market, taking place from late November through December at Lemon Quays. With wooden huts and twinkling Christmas lights everywhere, as well as the smell of bratwurst and mulled wine, this event very much mimics the traditional Bavarian market we Brits love so much.
Including a food court area and a huge range of stalls from local traders, you can enjoy local food, drink, arts and crafts, all while enjoying the festive music, live local radio and festive activities that are going on throughout the city centre.
They even offer late-night shopping on a Wednesday for those who want to pop along after work.
4. Lost Gardens of Heligan
Location: Saint Austell
Price: Roughly £18.50 per adult
The Lost Gardens of Heligan is an incredible place to visit no matter the month, but from November you can attend the Heligan Night Gardens to see an incredible array of flora and fauna lit up at night.
This event offers a trail of lights and traditional paraffin lanterns, as well as whimsical illuminations that lead you around the glittering woodlands and beautifully sculpted gardens. Along the way, you can enjoy all sorts of festive treats, from Christmas shopping at the gift shop to toasting marshmallows and drinking mulled cider.
Basically, they have everything you need to be festive and get in the Christmas spirit.
5. Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm
Location: Penhallow
Price: Starting from £13.60 (but this includes a year’s free pass)
You’ve probably heard of Cornwall’s famous rattler cider, but have you visited the farm where it’s made?
Healeys Cornish Cyder Farm runs a variety of events throughout the year, including music festivals, and on-site, there is a shop, tasting bar, cafe and farm are perfect entertainment all year round.
But through the month of December, they also run a cute little Christmas market full of gifts and crafts from creative locals, and of course, a range of cider products are also available for you to buy.
It’s a great family day out that includes Christmas story time, cookie decorating workshops for the parents, mulled cider and great local food in the cosy cafe.
6. Enjoy a festive wild swim
Location: The beach
Price: Free
During the festive season, you will see a lot of local people embracing the Cornish tradition of wild swimming and some cold water therapy in a very festive fashion.
Most days over Christmas, but Boxing Day in particular see hardy locals go running into the sea, wearing nothing more than a swimsuit and a Santa hat (sometimes boots and gloves if they’re feeling the chill).
So why not join in?
There are loads of groups that you can sign up to or you could simply just chuck on your swimsuit and go for a wild dip with your friends and family, no matter where you are in this beautiful county.
7. Winter Lights Project
Location: St Ives
Price: Free
The winter lights project in Saint Ives is one of the earliest to start across Cornwall, with some displays going up as early as October. Although the big switch-on is not until December. They boast some of the most energy-efficient lights in the whole of Europe, making these not just cost-effective, but also far better for the planet - which I personally think is great!
As you walk on through, you’ll notice canopies of lights cloak the cobbled streets and festive cheer can be heard from every pub in the village. This year, the official light switch-on was even conducted by Santa who, in proper Cornish style, arrived by lifeboat.
As well as enjoying the light displays throughout the town, December also offers several festive evenings, full of local bands, carol singers, choirs and of course, mulled wine and hot chocolate to keep you warm.
It’s a truly beautiful place at any time of year, but certainly worth a visit at Christmas.
8. Go for a cosy Christmas drink in Cornwall
Location: Anywhere
Price: Your drink of choice
A bit like wild swimming, there are so many great places to go for a cosy Christmas drink across Cornwall throughout December. Most places are lit up with beautiful twinkling displays and offering festive tipples, as well as local favourites.
Sure, I know this item might seem a little vague, so that's why I'm also going to share some of my personal favourite places to go for a drink during December (and let's face it, any other time of year), these are:
The Blackflag Brewery - Perranporth
The Tapyard Riverside - Truro
Blue Bar - Porthtowan
The Tap House - St Agnes
The Sloop Inn - St Ives
Concho Lounge - Newquay
Finn McCouls - Falmouth
If you don't get a chance to experience these places at Christmas, I implore you to go any other time of year because they are always wonderful.
But, of course, whatever you do, I hope you have an incredible time this festive season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
Tash
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