May
Events
May sees things picking up speed here and it’s a truly fantastic time to visit! Celebrate those artists inspired by Cornwall’s beauty at the Fowey Arts and Literature Festival and immerse yourself in events celebrating everything from wildlife and the great outdoors to the world famous Padstow Obby Oss.
Padstow
Obby Oss
The biggest day in Padstow’s calendar. It is not unusual to see 30,000 people crammed into this little town on the day when Padstonians from all over the world return to their roots. The origins of the Obby Oss are numerous. Some say the celebration has its roots in pagan times, others that it’s a rain maker, a fertility symbol, a deterrent to a possible landing by the French some centuries ago or perhaps a welcome to the summer.
St Ives
Food & Drink Festival
Helston
Flora Day
The origins of this famous celebration dance are more than likely pre-Christian and connected to ancient spring festivals that take place all over Europe. Nowadays the festival’s original purpose of ushering in a prosperous harvest expresses itself in a lively, colourful celebration that involves the whole town.
Fowey
Festival of Arts & Literature
Taking place in various locations in Fowey, Cornwall’s premier literary festival features a diverse range of authors, speakers, musicians, and artists. Organised by the du Maurier Festival Society, it is staged in the beautiful riverside town of Fowey, which was home to Daphne du Maurier and Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch and also associated with Wind in the Willows author Kenneth Grahame.
Open
Studios
more than 200 artists, designers and makers welcome visitors into their studios in a celebration of artistic practice. From Marazion to St Minver, St Ives to Saltash and Penzance to Penwithick, in leafy villages, seaside settlements and wooded valleys, painters, printmakers and potters; textile designers, sculptors and illustrators open there studios.
Bude & Stratton
Folk Festival
This Folk Festival is a friendly mix of folk events. It features music, song, dance, and storytelling, and there is a small programme of children’s events.
Fal
River festival
This 10 day celebration encompasses over 150 events varying from music & drama, the arts & heritage to gig racing, swimming, walking & lots more. It is a chance to embrace the places, people, history, culture, sport & industry that are connected by this very Cornish river.