Top Picks
April Top Picks
Here are 14 events you can enjoy this month...
Spring is here and the sun is shining in Cornwall. Don’t miss out on the fantastic selection of events we’ve picked for you this month. Take a trip to Scilly for their annual walking festival, or enjoy three days of international short films in Newlyn. Or if you’re a fan of theatre, why not see a performance at one of Cornwall’s special outdoor venues? With live music, foodie events and flower shows, come and celebrate the new spring season.
Looking for something to do for Easter? You can find lots of great family fun activities on our website here.
1. Walk Scilly 2019
Wed 3rd — Fri 12th April, 2019
Isles of Scilly
The popular festival, which gets the season underway in Scilly, will be the biggest yet – offering a wide choice of 40 themed and guided walks, including a handful of wildlife sea safaris, across 10 days and nine islands. This year, Walk Scilly runs from the 3rd to 12th April and therefore overlaps with the start of the Easter holidays, which means that in addition to some of the hardier walks on offer, the programme also includes a number of exciting activities for all the family.
2. Newlyn International Film Festival
Fri 5th — Sun 7th April, 2019
The Acorn, Penzance
The Newlyn International Film Festival is set to weigh anchor again in Penzance this April, to present a three-day programme of national and international short films.
Come along to the video café for a hot drink and a slice of cake, whilst watching all of the short films submitted from around the world, on the big screen. With workshops, talks, screenings, a festival party with the Badlands Blues Band and an award ceremony this is a fun packed weekend for film lovers.
Click here for more information on films and talks.
3. Cornwall Garden Society: Spring Flower Show 2019
Sat 6th — Sun 7th April, 2019
The Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge
Feast your eyes on dazzling displays of daffodils, magnolias, camellias and rhododendrons, and exquisite floral art and photography exhibits. Be inspired by horticultural experts and indulge in a spot of retail therapy by purchasing plants, bulbs and other garden-related treats from more than 60 prestigious nurseries and 50 specialist retailers – all under one roof.
With children’s activities designed to nurture an interest in gardening, wildlife and the natural world; an Artisan Centre showcasing high quality crafts; live music and a cornucopia of Cornish food and drink to set your taste buds tingling, this two-day event offers lots to do, lots to see and lots to engage with for enthusiastic novices, seasoned horticulturalists and all the family.
4. Roots Culture Vegan Market
Sun 7th April, 2019
Mount Pleasant Ecological Park, St Agnes
Come along to the first Roots Culture Vegan Market at Mount Pleasant. This free event is held under a stunning covered atrium and inside a timber framed barn. With stalls selling a breath-taking range from jewellery, recycled crafts, pottery, clothing and skincare to plants, felt hats, music, books and so much more.
Sample some delights from local food vendors specialising in Vegan street food. The new Cabana Kitchen and Cafe will be fuelling the crowds with delicious coffee and treats, while the Eco Barn will be serving local ale and ciders to cool you down on (hopefully) a warm Spring day. The Tropical Pressure Sound System will be in attendance playing some choice tunes. Transporting you from the rolling fields of Cornwall to far off tropical lands.
With ample free parking, dog friendly grounds, laid back atmosphere, music and delicious food. Don’t, whatever you do, miss this.
5. The Secret Garden
Tue 9th — Fri 19th April, 2019
Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
When a garden’s kept proper, all weeded and neat, that chases the wild away. But when it’s left alone, for nature, who knows what secret things’d grow there….
Experience this most enchanting story, loved by all, performed on Cornwall’s world famous stage. Accompanied by a magical score and a menagerie of puppets, this heart-warming story is suitable for all.
‘The Secret Garden’ cast includes a host of Cornish acting talent alongside members of the Minack Youth Theatre and is produced by the creative team behind the Minack’s recent and highly acclaimed productions of ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’ (2017) and ‘The Railway Children’ (2018).
6. HTC: Whistle Down the Wind
Tue 9th – Mon 22nd April, 2019
Epworth Hall, Helston & Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
Helston Theatre Company present Andrew Lloyd Webber and Jim Steinman’s rock epic this April, known for chart hits Total Eclipse of the Heart, I Would Do Anything for Love and No Matter What.
With a score full of soaring ballads and explosive rock, and a finale that will take audiences’ breath away, Whistle Down the Wind promises drama, sensational music and uplifting emotion in equal measure.
7. Perranporth Sea Song & Shanty Festival
Thu 11th — Sun 14th April, 2019
Perranporth, UK
Eighteen groups from Devon and Cornwall and as far away as Bristol and Wales will be performing in pubs and restaurants around Perranporth this April, singing a range of original and traditional sea songs. Don’t miss the returning favourites “The Longest Johns” and ‘Capt Cat and the Sailors’, new to the festival this year, who will be heading up the Saturday night concert in the Memorial Hall at 7.30pm.
8. Rogue Theatre: Wild Spring Hair
Fri 12th – Mon 22nd April, 2019
Tehidy Woods
Come and join Rogue Theatre deep in the woods of Tehidy North Cliffs this Easter for an immersive trail like no other. Taste the excitement in the air, let your imagination lead you into nature’s dream and discover the wild new world of spring.
From the creators of Winter Wood, Wild Woodland Summer Ball and Dead of Night Dance, comes this brilliant adventure in the woods among the bluebell glades and the singing birds.
Lose yourselves in the wild wood and find yourselves in even wilder tales, collect the clues and follow the Hare to the Woodland King. He’ll be waiting at the heart of the woods with more stories and a chocolate Easter treat for everyone!
9. St Endellion Easter Festival
Sat 13th — Sun 21st April, 2019
St Endellion Church, Port Isaac
St Endellion’s Easter Festival is back with a feast of 9 wonderful concerts this year, including a specially commissioned St Mark Passion by Oliver Tarney. This new work will be performed on Good Friday along with Bach’s Cantata No 4 and Haydn’s 26th “Lamentatione” Symphony.
The festival will also feature two performances of Mozart’s C Minor Mass (“The Great Mass”), conducted by David Watkin and Shostakovich’s 9th Symphony, conducted by Adam Hickox. The other full orchestral and choral concert of the Festival will be on Wednesday 17th April and will include orchestral concerti by Handel and Zelenka, MacMillan’s Misere, Howell’s Elegy for viola and strings, and Dvorak’s String Serenade.
10. Trifle Gathering: Endless ft N:Dless
Sat 13th April – Sun 19th May, 2019
Various venues across Cornwall
Live music, comedy, pop videos and documentary interviews collide to bring you a tale of (very little) sex, (a smattering of) drugs and the unexpected phobias from a life of rock and roll. It’s not Spinal Tap, Top of the Pops or the Bros Documentary but if you liked those you might like this and even if you didn’t like those you still might like this.
Join Trifle Gathering Productions for this funny, and occasionally moving, coming of middle age music documentary for the stage … their bravest theatre show to date.
Age recommendation 10+
May contain strong language and themes of a rock and roll nature.
11. The Roseland Festival
Tue 23rd April – Sat 4th May, 2019
St Mawes
Folk and jazz, history and art, films and photography, choirs and quartets, walks and talks – The Roseland Festival offers a diverse programme of events with something for everyone.
This year’s lineup will include outstanding folk singer, song writer and raconteur, Edwina Hayes and Geoff Lakeman, a Cornishman who is a major figure on the West Country Folk scene who will be performing local songs as well as his own compositions. Kit Hillbillies are also returning after their resounding success last year, as well as the ever popular Tresillian Ladies Choir, joined this year by Rhos Keur.
Dan Sefton, script writer of “The Good Karma Hospital” and “Trust Me” among other dramas, will be giving a talk about his work and for young people there will be a drama workshop. Wild Roseland’s Photography Exhibition returns along with pottery and essential oil workshops. Come along and enjoy these and many more events on the 2019 festival programme.
12. Porthleven Food Festival
Fri 26th — Sun 28th April, 2019
Porthleven Harbour, Porthleven
A three-day feast of food, drink, music and family fun around the historic harbour of Porthleven. Watch local, national and international chefs cook up a storm in the Chef’s Theatre and sample lots of local food and drink. Then kick back and listen to talented musicians or take the kids to learn circus skills and catch talented performers in the Family Field. Daytime events are free with a small ticket charge for evening entertainment.
13. Camborne Trevithick Day
Sat 27th April, 2019
Camborne Town Centre
When April rolls around, so do the steam engines – as the people of Camborne gather for singing, dancing, parades, and all manner of steam-related fun as they celebrate Trevithick Day, to honour Camborne’s most famous son, the engineer Richard Trevithick.
With all sorts to see and do, come and enjoy vintage vehicles, stationary steam engines, model exhibitions, fairground rides, miniature steam engines, a steam parade and plenty more besides. Talented local performers will be out in numbers, too — from choirs and clowns to buskers, dancers and street theatre. There will be traditional dances during the day, with school children performing the Bal Maidens and Miners Dance in the morning, and residents in Camborne performing Trevithick’s Dance in the afternoon – telling the story of Trevithick’s engine while clad in the Cornish colours of black and yellow.
Rain or shine, it’s a brilliant day out!
14. Gin, Bubbles and Music Festival
Sat 27th — Sun 28th April, 2019
Mount Edgcumbe, Torpoint
Join Miss Ivy Events for an afternoon of Gin, Food and Entertainment in the picturesque surroundings of Mount Edgcumbe, Cornwall.
As well as sampling exotic street food and gins from local distilleries, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy musical entertainment, play outdoor games, socialise in a stunning location and take part in a *gin masterclass sampling 5 local gins with Susy Atkins, the Sunday Telegraph’s drinks columnist.
