Top Picks
Thirteen Summer Festival Top Picks
There is a flurry of festivals happening all over Cornwall. Here are thirteen that are coming up soon!
Summer is a busy time and this year, Cornwall is jam-packed with fantastic events and things to do. Read on to find out about wide-ranging celebrations happening this summer. From heritage and culture to food and music, literature to cosplay – you’ll find themes of all kinds.
This is only a small sample of events for the coming months. Visit our festival listings where you can find out about even more festivals!
Header Image: Kernowfornia Festival
1. St Austell Festival of Children’s Literature
St Austell
Sat 13th June // 10am
With tickets at just £1 you can fill your day with the joy of reading and book fun.
This year’s authors include Laura Ellen Anderson, JJ Arcanjo, Mama G, Helen Peters, Matt Oldfield and many more.
There are also penalty shoot outs, pottery classes and lots of fun activities!
2. Nansledan Arts Festival 2026: Fiesta!
Nansledan, Newquay
Sat 13th — Sun 21st June
The Nansledan Arts Festival is back, bringing more joyous, festive fun!
Enjoy art workshops for all ages, Art and Scarecrow Trails, Comedy, Circus at the Park, Track Dogs 20th anniversary gig and competitions.
3. Golowan Festival
Penzance
Fri 19th June — Sun 28th June
Golowan is an annual 10-day festival of events that culminates in a street festival on the last weekend in June where thousands attend a spectacle of giant wicker models paraded through the town, street performances, street music, theatre, and the Golowan live music and DJ Marquee.
4. Morvala Festival
Mount Edgcumbe Country Park, Cremyll
Thu 25th — Sun 28th June // 11am
Morvala Festival of Arts is a four-day independent music and arts festival on the stunning Rame Peninsula, set within the historic Mount Edgcumbe Country Park.
Every corner of the site offers something different: intimate woodland stages, open-air performances, sea-view clearings, art installations, family spaces and late-night surprises tucked among the trees.
5. Mevagissey Feast Week
Mevagissey
Sun 28th June — Sat 4th July
Mevagissey Feast Week has been celebrated since at least 1754 and brings together a diverse lineup of activities and events.
During the week-long festival, you can enjoy live music, fresh fish dishes, local ales, flora-dancing and carnival, culminating in an incredible firework display over the harbour.
All events throughout the week are free and donations are encouraged to keep this amazing community festival alive year after year.
6. Penzance Literary Festival
Penzance
Sun 5th — Sun 12th July
Celebrating its 15th year, the Penzance Literary Festival is bringing an eclectic selection of authors, writers and performers to West Cornwall.
Heading this year’s lineup is comedy legend and bestselling author Dawn French, speaking about her intriguing new novel ENOUGH.
7. Tropical Pressure Festival
Eco Park, Porthtowan
Fri 10th — Sun 12th July
Tropical Pressure is the intimate and authentic festival of the summer.
Each July, only a few thousand fortunate ticket-holders visit our stunning site overlooking the majestic sea near Porthtowan Beach in Cornwall for a positive, dance-inducing, and life-affirming experience.
8. Music on the Moor
Various Venues, Bodmin Area
Tue 14th — Sun 19th July
A multi-arts festival of music, poetry, painting, pottery, photography, food and family events at stunning locations on and around Bodmin Moor.
Guest artists this year include the world-renowned Brodsky Quartet with Jeremy Menuhin and Dimitry Ashkenazy; folk singer Claire Ingleheart in a new collaboration with author Philip Marsden; four art exhibitions; the Moorland Festival Orchestra with Poldark actor Rory Wilton as JS Bach; a children’s concert with poet Jane Newberry; a guided tour of Kerdroya Labyrinth, an abundance of cake, special pub suppers and much more.
9. Falmouth Folk Festival
Princess Pavilion, Falmouth
Sat 18th July // 12pm
Falmouth Folk Festival returns, featuring the best of the local folk scene – trad tunes, original songs and ballads across two outdoor stages.
A free event for the whole family, hosted by Julian Gaskell of the Ragged Trousered Philanphropists.
10. UK Surf & Skate Expo 2026
WAX Gym, Newquay
Sat 25th & Sun 26th July
A celebration of the UK’s surfing and skating communities, bringing together enthusiasts, professionals, and pioneers from across the globe, this dynamic event features an eclectic mix of zones catering to every facet of the surfing, skateboarding, and lifestyle industries.
11. Cornwall Folk Festival 2026
Various Venues, Wadebridge
Thu 27th — Mon 31st August
Cornwall Folk Festival returns with five days of outstanding live music, dance and Cornish culture, opening with a high energy Nos Lowen from Skillywidden, the band that helped ignite the modern Cornish dance revival.
This vibrant celebration sets the pace for a packed folk music weekend in Wadebridge.
12. Geek Expo Regenerated
Redruth School
Sat 29th & Sun 30th August // 10am
Geek Expo is a vibrant, community-driven event celebrating all things geek culture. You can expect a fantastic mix of cosplay, gaming, artists, and unique traders offering everything from handmade crafts to must-have collectibles.
Whether you’re a dedicated fan, a creator, or just looking for a fun day out, Geek Expo offers a welcoming and inclusive space for all ages to enjoy.
13. Kernowfornia Festival 2026
East Looe Beach
Fri 4th — Sun 6th September
Kernowfornia is an independent, alternative Cornwall beach festival unlike anything else in the UK — a world-class music experience built for true music lovers, families, and anyone who wants a festival with soul instead of gimmicks.
Set directly on East Looe Beach, it’s one of the only festivals in the country where you can watch incredible artists with your feet in the sand, the tide drifting in, and the entire town buzzing with energy.
