Don’t let the festive season pass you by!

There are a couple of Christmas events happening only this weekend in Cornwall, in Padstow and Falmouth!

Here are details about both:

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Padstow Christmas Fayre (4–7 December)

Padstow’s harbour becomes a lively, food-focused event space during the four-day Padstow Christmas Fayre. It’s free to attend and brings the community together to celebrate Cornish food and drink.

The event raises money for Hospitality Action, The Fisherman’s Mission, and Padstow Lifeboat.

A line-up of 50 chefs anchors the weekend. Big names include Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Emily Scott, Mark Hix, and rising chefs from Padstow’s own restaurants. All chef demonstrations are free and spread across the programme. Times include:

Rick Stein – Friday, 3pm
Paul Ainsworth – Friday, 2pm
Izzy Joselyne (Prawn on the Lawn) – Friday, 5pm
Rick Toogood (Prawn on the Lawn, Barnaby’s, Little Prawn) – Friday, 5pm
Yusuf Scarr (The Pig at Harlyn Bay) – Saturday, 5pm
Mitch Tonks (Rockfish) – Sunday, 1pm
Emily Scott – Sunday, 2pm

The wider programme fills the whole town. You move between the artisan market, lantern parade, live music, carols, and a firework display.

Prideaux Walled Garden hosts hands-on masterclasses and children’s Christmas crafts. The harbour area showcases stalls selling festive produce and gifts, and shops stay open longer than usual.

Padstow also launches its own products for the event, including Tarquins Padstow Christmas Gin, hand-printed artwork, and a Christmas Fayre tea towel.

Several local venues join in too, from Caffè Rojano’s Festive Breakfast to daily activity at Rick Stein’s Cookery School.

The fayre only runs until Sunday 7 December, so this is the only weekend to experience it.

Falmouth’s Festive Weekend (6–7 December)

Falmouth turns into a town-centre Christmas event for two days only. The streets run from 11am to 5pm with attractions spread across The Moor, Events Square and the high street. The layout is easy to navigate, with stalls, activities and music close together.

The main attractions include:

Artificial ice rink (£2pp)
Giant snow globe (£2pp)
Curling lane (£2pp)
Vintage children’s rides (£1pp)
Snowy streets created by snow machines (free)

Music plays throughout the day on the live music stage, where performers sing carols and festive songs. Market stalls fill The Moor and the Christmas Market Marquee with locally made gifts, decorations and food items. Over 40 independent businesses take part in the High Street Christmas Market.

Families can visit Santa’s Grotto (£2pp, 12pm–3pm). On Saturday, Miracle Theatre’s Real Father Christmas appears at the library for children who want to leave a gift for families in need.

Falmouth Art Gallery opens with festive workshops on Saturday (10am–3.30pm), and the Festive Land Train (£2pp) connects The Moor with Events Square. The schedule is supported by local volunteers, who help run the activities and keep everything smooth.

There is also a drone display on Friday 5 December at 5.30pm at Church Street Car Park, with a weather back-up slot on Saturday 6 December.

This is a two-day event only, and everything ends on Sunday 7 December.

Other things happening in Cornwall this weekend

Christmas at the Eden Project – evening openings, illuminated biomes, Father Christmas grotto, seasonal ice rink
Heligan Night Garden – illuminated 1.1-mile trail with firepits and hot chocolate
St Michael’s Mount Christmas teas – festive afternoon teas on selected December dates
Trelissick Christmas (starts 6 December) – decorated grounds, stable-yard lights, warm seasonal food and Father Christmas meet-and-greets

Check out my Cornwall at Christmas guide for more information about these.