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Fun Palace Weekend
This weekend is Fun Palace weekend, and venues all over Cornwall are throwing open their doors for a day of fun and activities, completely for free!
The Fun Palaces’ ethos is simple: there is creativity and genius in every person, in every place and acknowledging and sharing that creativity shines a light on the great work individuals and communities do. Fun Palaces take place all over the UK, and last year Fun Palace Co-Director Stella Duffy came to Cornwall, here’s what she said about her time here:
“Last year I came to Cornwall and visited as many of the Fun Palaces as possible – I think we got to twelve or thirteen by the end of the weekend. It was exhausting, thrilling and joyous. To see so many different community groups sharing what matters to them in museums to libraries, schools and local halls, and even at Bodmin’s beacon itself, was truly inspiring. At a time where we are told our nation is divided and growing further apart, it was honestly moving to meet people who put aside differences to work together in and of their own communities. Whether people were sharing Cornish heritage and language, environmental concerns, or crochet and emoji-painting tips alongside dance flashmobs, what I saw was a real flavour of everything Cornwall has to offer – yes, the beaches are great (and I did swim!) but the people are the real wealth of the region, and Fun Palaces shines a national and international light on those people.”
Feeling inspired? Then here is a list of the Fun Palaces happening this weekend, find your nearest below or see our full list of Fun Palaces here.
1. Redruth
There are 8 Fun Palaces taking place on Saturday 5th across Redruth. Head to Krowji for Colour Chemistry workshops, music making at the Buttermarket, Silly Science at Gwealan Tops, Reach for the Stars activities at Kresen Kernow. There’s even more fun to be had with the Lean, Green Recycle Machine at St Andrew’s Church, take part in a walking & drawing tour with #Draw Redruth at the Station cafe, create crafts or learn the ukulele at Redruth Library, or head to Murdoch House to speak some Cornish. Pick up the special map to find all the Fun Palaces, and tick off all of those you visit.
See the Redruth Fun Palaces here
2. St Agnes
Visit St Agnes Library from 10.30am on Saturday 10th for Bollywood Vs the Potter. If you’ve always wanted to know more about Bollywood dance or pottery now is your chance! Have a go, watch, or ask questions – the choice is yours! Inspirasian Dance & Goonbell Pottery will be on hand to show you how it’s done and give you a helping hand.
3. Truro
There’s lots happening at the Royal Cornwall Museum on Saturday. Join them from 10am until 4pm for a day of activities including: Shallal 2 Dance performance; learn about Lithium extraction and enjoy geology games with Cornish Lithium; find out about radio broadcasting with Pirate FM; visit the new Algorithmic Art exhibition; and take part in make and take workshops. Learn something new at Royal Cornwall Museum!
4. Bodmin
There’s a bumper crop of Fun Palaces in Bodmin, with 6 different Palaces to visit. On Saturday 5th enjoy fun, games and science challenges at Cornwall’s Regimental Museum, visit the Library, follow in the footsteps of Trevithick and Brunel with engineering and construction challenges at Bodmin & Wenford Railway, and enjoy pop-up performances from KBSK Performing Arts with a free dance workshop at 3pm in St Petroc’s Church. Over the whole weekend, The People’s Art Gallery will be home to a variety of bitesize artistic taster sessions, or make dens & mini fires, toast marshmallows and create nature crafts at the Badger Forest School.
See the Bodmin Fun Palaces here
5. Penzance
Down in Penzance a fun day out for all the family awaits you. Free activities run from midday until 2pm at the Treneere Fun Palace on Penmere Close.
6. St Austell & Par
Build a day of fun! In the morning join St Austell Library and Coppice Theatre for Science and Art. Drop in and have some fun with light, sound and slime. At 11am there are free creative activities run by local artists, food, play & fun at Cornubia in Par. Then spend the afternoon at Wheal Martyn with workshops, performances and activities from 1pm.
7. Falmouth
Join Falmouth Library & Art Gallery for a jam packed day. Activies include: digital mapping or drawing in VR; singing; LEGO club; Fairtrade refreshments in the boardgame café;
Yarn Bombing; weaving; coding; bracelet making; electronic instrument building; and find out about community activies with Source FM, lovefalmouthvolunteermakers and Plastic Free Falmouth. Over at the Potager Fun Palace you can paint huge paintings in the woods. Play with paint, draw what you can see and make huge collaborative community paintings.
See the Falmouth Fun Palaces here
8. Launceston
On the 5th October there are 3 Fun Palaces to vist. At Launceston Library explore art and science with a focus on the town’s local heritage in astronomy and railway travel. At Lawrence House Museum join in with our fun activities to rediscover planet Neptune, and at Red Cow Fun Palace there are hands on art and craft activities to find out more about food and farming. Then on 6th October there is a free family community breakfast followed by a variety of art and craft activies at Central Methodist Church, or try Chinese knotting at the Red Chair Cafe.