Top Picks
November Top Picks
With plenty of fireworks, fairs and festivities, here are 19 events you can enjoy this November.
Winter may be on the way, but don’t let the cold weather keep you indoors. Enjoy a hot mulled cider and wrap up warm while you experience the fantastic array of autumn events in Cornwall. See Truro lit up with lanterns, go ice skating at Eden or find some amazing community crafts for loved ones this Christmas.
If you’d like to see your events in our top picks, list them on our website at: https://cornwall365.com/submit-an-event/. If you list before Mon 5th Nov 2018 they will also be included in our Winter 2018 guide.
1. Lowender Peran Celtic Festival
Weds 31st Oct – Sun 4th Nov, 2018
Hotel Bristol, Newquay
Celebrate Cornwall’s Cultural Heritage and its Celtic Connections at Lowender Peran’s 40th anniversary. Set in a family run hotel on a cliff top with glorious views of Tolcarne Beach, Lowender Peran is a spectacular festival welcoming people from around the world to enjoy music, dance, arts and culture. Featuring over 300 performers from Brittany, Cornwall, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland and Wales. Come along and enjoy ceilidhs, family activities, workshops, music sessions, sing-a-longs, craft fayre, storytelling, poetry, Cornish wrestling, gin tasting and much more!
2. Bonfire & Fireworks Night
Mon 5th Nov, 2018
Heartlands, Redruth
The sky will light up on November 5th as Heartlands hosts its sixth annual Bonfire & Fireworks Night. The community is invited to join with family, friends and neighbours to enjoy an evening of fireworks, bonfire, live entertainment and a fantastic range of food and drink options. A huge bonfire will be lit on the Great Lawn at 6.30pm with a firework display from 8pm. Live music will be provided by Cornwall’s very own Rudi’s Message, who will take to the stage at 7pm and again after the fireworks have finished. Come and enjoy this firework and bonfire extravaganza!
3. Macmillan Christmas Fair
Weds 7th – Thurs 8th Nov, 2018
Eden Project, Bodelva
Eden are working hard to make the 2018 Cornwall Macmillan Christmas Fair another successful event. The Eden Kitchen (between the two big biomes) will once again be playing host to a huge range of festive stalls offering gifts, home accessories, stocking fillers, clothing and jewellery. Alongside, local food producers and suppliers will provide a wonderful array in the Food Hall.
In 2018 the Christmas Fair takes place during a Preview & Shopping Evening on Wednesday 7th November (5pm – 9.30pm including supper and wine) and a Day Fair on Thursday 8th November (10am – 4pm including light lunch and wine, with advance ticket sales only and free admission to Eden).
4. An Evening On Board the RMS Titanic
Thurs 8th Nov, 2018
The Greenbank Hotel, Falmouth
Immerse yourself in a world of Edwardian elegance and step aboard the RMS Titanic for an evening of fine dining, fizz and foot-stomping fun. Enter the grand Water’s Edge cocktail bar in your finest attire for a glass of bubbles whilst string quartet music plays gently, before taking your seats for a three course meal inspired by the era.
Whilst dining you will meet Thomas Andrews Jr, the Titanic’s naval architect, and discuss the latest fashions with ‘The Unsinkable’ Molly Brown. Guests will also hear tales about life on board by notable characters who will be joining for the evening.
After your meal, which will include a Titanic themed menu by Head Chef Bobby Southworth, finish with ferocious foot-stomping in the lower decks to local ‘fiddle and phat bass’ folk band Jonah’s Lift where you can dance the night away just like Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater.
5. Cornwall Film Festival
Fri 9th – Sun 11th Nov, 2018
The Poly, Falmouth
This November, Cornwall Film Festival shakes up your cultural calendar with a thought-provoking and challenging showcase of independent cinema, centred around a three-day weekend at The Poly in Falmouth. This is your invitation to see more films in one weekend than you’d otherwise see in months, including critically acclaimed new releases that won’t be shown anywhere else in the South West.
Now in its 17th year, the Festival caters for connoisseurs and casual viewers alike. With a programme curated to reflect the theme of ‘RESISTANCE’, work will include features and shorts; dramas, documentaries and off-the-wall comedies; international and UK cinema; award winners from Cannes and showcases of new work from the big-name filmmakers of tomorrow.
6. Hireth
Fri 9th – Sat 17th Nov, 2018
St Just Miners’ Chapel
1914. Geevor, West Cornwall. Harry Elton is starting a new life below ground mining for tin. Across the channel, a Great war rages. When the British Army arrive with an unexpected offer, Harry and his friends swap the dirty, dark and dangerous tunnels of Geevor for the deadly underground warzone beneath the Western front.
This epic new production tells the untold story of Cornwall’s forgotten war heroes and the unique impact they had on the First World War. Featuring music from Seth Lakeman, a cast of professional actors and a community chorus, HIRETH marks the centenary of the end of World War I in St Justs’ Grade 2 listed Miners Chapel.
7. Gin & Gift Festival
Sat 10th Nov, 2018
Mount Edgcumbe House, Torpoint
Love Gin & Shopping? Join Miss Ivy Events at the Festive Gin & Gift Festival at Mount Edgcumbe on Sat 10th Nov from 10:30am – 4pm.
On offer will be quality hand-picked gin distillers to offer advice and samples, festive cocktail workshops, a gin bar, live music and street food, along with an array of gift and artisan stalls to start that Christmas shopping.
8. Truro City of Lights
Weds 21st Nov, 2018
Truro Town Centre
The City of Lights procession is back again this year with music, dance and lanterns made by local schools and community groups, plus the larger artist-made lanterns, inspired by this year’s theme of ‘remember’. There is plenty of room for exploration and imagination. Past favourites have included a rhino, a giraffe, a squid, the Kings and Queens of England, local historical figures such as Joseph Emedy, as well as Elvis! Alongside this visual spectacle, enjoy the feast of music and dance including samba, brass bands and pipes & drums.
Want to get involved? Come and make a hand held lantern with one of the City of Lights artists and take part in Truro’s beautiful winter lantern festival. Workshops are taking place on the 10th or 17th of November at Royal Cornwall Museum and are open for booking.
9. St Ives Shanty Shout
Fri 23rd – Sat 24th Nov, 2018
Various venues across St Ives
Back for its third year, the St Ives Shanty Shout is a popular event drawing singing groups from all around Cornwall and beyond. With a mix of pubs and acoustic venues, the groups will sing in a relaxed atmosphere across 6 locations in the beautiful town of St Ives.
All events are free, but the team will be shaking buckets in aid of the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Visit the event website for the latest on performers and schedules. This 2-day event is hosted by Bamaluz Bootleggers, a mixed voice shanty group of around 20 singers who rehearse and perform in St Ives.
10. FLAME - First & Last Artisans & Makers Enterprise
Sat 24th Nov, 2018
The Acorn, Penzance
Get festive with FLAME this year and find the perfect gifts to make your Christmas magical. Enjoy the work of 22 diverse and talented artisans and makers, with quality items that are guaranteed to inspire. From jewellery and paintings to pottery and textiles, visit the Facebook page for details on all of the stallholders contributing to this great event.
FLAME is a community of artisans and makers living in West Cornwall working together to share, collaborate and create opportunities to showcase and sell work.
11. St Austell Brewery Celtic Beer Festival
Sat 24th Nov, 2018
St Austell Brewery
Live music. Tick. A cracking selection of more than 180 ales, lagers and ciders. Tick. A thriving atmosphere and all for a good cause. Double tick. The 20th Celtic Beer Festival is set to be the biggest yet; 20 years of one of Cornwall’s best parties deserves a celebration in its own right. And the 2018 Celtic Beer Festival is set to be a belter.
Held in the ancient and atmospheric cellars of St Austell Brewery, festival-goers come from far and wide to sample different ales, stouts and lagers. Live bands play all day and night – it’s a beer festival like no other. The four bars serve St Austell Brewery’s own award-winning beers, including favourites Tribute, Proper Job and Korev, along with new and limited-edition beers brewed just for the festival. Enjoy the merriment, drink responsibly and help raise the largest amount yet at any one event for the Charitable Trust. See you on the 24th!
12. 'World Illustration Awards 2018' Exhibition
Sat 17th Nov, 2018 – Jan 2019
Falmouth Art Gallery, Falmouth
Featuring winning entries from the World Illustration Awards 2018, this exhibition showcases the very best professional and emerging illustrators from around the world. These awards are judged by high profile, globally recognised industry professionals and drawn from a record of 3,300 entries from 75 countries. Come and experience this touring exhibition from The Association of Illustrators (The AOI), in partnership with the Directory of Illustration.
13. U Studio Festival
Sat 24th Nov, 2018
The Tate, St Ives
A festival of art and artists, created by and for young people. See the galleries in a new light with events, activities and performance throughout the day, all curated and devised by young people.
This festival is the culmination of the Tate Collective Creative Workshops. Aimed at young people but everyone is welcome. This event has been programmed by young people aged 16–25 from the Tate Collective team.
14. Ice Skating at Eden
Open until Feb 2019
Eden Project, Bodelva
Eden’s glittering ice rink is back and it’s had a makeover. Why not have a whirl in a winter wonderland – everyone is welcome, from complete novices to figure skating pros. If spectating is more your thing, you can snuggle up rink-side with a delicious hot chocolate or a tasty burger while you cheer on your family and friends.
Attend one of the 40-minute general skating sessions or choose a session to suit you.
15. Bude Blues, Rhythm and Rock Festival
Fri 9th – Sun 11th Nov, 2018
Penstowe Manor Resort, Bude
Traditionally held in Ilfracombe, this year we are relocating the festival just 17 miles down the road and crossing the border into North Cornwall to Penstowe Manor, a really tasteful intimate venue near Bude.
To celebrate the new venue and location, the musical line-up will be the most ambitious since the festivals inception; with a mix of unforgettable names and terrific artists from the UK and around the world! Featuring Focus, Thorbjørn Risager & The Black Tornado and Wishbone Ash headlining, plus fifteen other very different, but striking bands. This will undoubtedly be a great festival and one live music event not to miss in the South West!
16. Music at Tresanton
Fri 2nd – Sun 4th Nov, 2018
Methodist Chapel, St Mawes
Enjoy a weekend of concerts celebrating Haydn, featuring pianist Noam Greenberg and Doric String Quartet.
For over a decade Music at Tresanton has been gaining praise for its innovative programming and concerts. The festival takes place annually in November, and offers a unique chance to hear a carefully devised programme of four concerts, played by the finest classical musicians, in the intimate and relaxed atmosphere of the beautifully restored St Mawes Methodist Chapel.
17. Looe Literary Festival
Thurs 15th – Sun 18th Nov, 2018
Various venues in Looe
A 5-day celebration of intellectual minds, thought, debate, literature, creativity and creatives. Cornish hospitality and a breath of fresh Cornish sea air. Looe has invited world-renowned authors, poets and creative thinkers to give talks in the town.
2018 speakers include Paul Greenwood, Raynor Winn, Paul Hill, Emily Gosling and Pamela Vass, as well as the Liskeard Poets and Looe Writers Group. Visit the website for more details about what’s on offer at this eclectic celebration of thought, inspiration, stories and words.
18. Bedruthan Christmas Fair
Sat 24th – Sun 25th Nov, 2018
Bedruthan Hotel & Spa, Newquay
Wrap up your homemade Christmas in one wonderful weekend full of festive magic at Bedruthan’s Christmas Craft Fair. Featuring some of the most talented craftspeople and artisan makers from around the south west. Three levels of stalls including contemporary craft, art, ceramics, illustration, homewares, textiles, decor, gifts, fashion, jewellery, accessories and food and drink – there really is something for everyone.
19. Krowji Christmas Open Studios
Fri 30th Nov – Sun 2nd Dec, 2018
Krowji, Redruth
Christmas Open Studios 2018 at Krowji will be taking place as usual on the first weekend in December. There will be an open evening on Friday November 30th and then the event will run throughout the daytime on both Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd December. The public will be invited to look inside the studios at Krowji, meet the artists, makers and designers and buy artwork and gifts just in time for Christmas!
