Next month, the renowned Fal River Festival will return to one of Cornwall’s most popular holiday destinations. The charming harbour town of Falmouth will host the fantastic ten-day event, which will run from Friday 24thMay to Sunday 2ndJune. The celebration, which is now in its 13thyear, will hold over 150 events, from music and drama shows to sporting events and everything in between. For anyone staying in our luxury Cornish cottages during this time, we’ve created a guide to each area of events and when they’re happening so that you can plan your holiday in Cornwall accordingly!
For those with a love for all things show business, the River Fal festival won’t disappoint, with a diverse range of performances scheduled over the ten days. Head out on the 24thMay to celebrate opening night with Betty Stoggs and the Beer Fleet revellers at the Greenbank Quay, enjoying Cornwall’s best Ceilidh and Barndance Band SPLANN. A Jazz night will take place on the Quay on the 27thMay or check out the talented solo violinist Thomas Bowes on the 30thMay. Whichever event you choose, the atmosphere is sure to be second to none as you enjoy some of Cornwall’s best talents.
Numerous exhibitions will pop-up for the festival, including sightings of Morgawr, meaning sea giant in Cornish, at the Fish Factory Art Space. St Ives artist Kate Nicholson will also exhibit a wide range of her work, demonstrating the breadth of her creativity at the Art Gallery. The picturesque village of Flushing, which faces Falmouth from across the river will also get involved, with houses and businesses displaying their favourite works of art in windows for all to admire. From jewellery-making to political postcards, there’s any number of workshops over the ten-day festival, so be sure to browse their website to see if there are any that you and your family would like to get involved with.
Given the purpose is to celebrate the river, there is no shortage of water-inspired activities to take part in over the festival. Watch the beer fleet, which opens the festival, with boats of all shapes and sizes entering the harbour. Those looking for more adrenaline-fuelled activities can enjoy 50% off watersports at Swan Pool Beach on 29thMay, while those looking to relax on their holiday can buy tickets for either a Gin cruise (31stMay) or a Fizz and Chips cruise (1stJune). Do your bit for keeping Cornwall such a lovely place to visit and opt for cleaning the creek by canoe on 2ndJune.
There are any number of fascinating walking tours or visits to local gardens that are sure to provide you with interesting information about the area. Take a history tour of Flushing, forage for wild food and seaweed and learn how to prepare it, keep your eyes on the skies during a bird-watching trail or release your inner child with a night-time rock-pooling session. The ancient Enys Garden will host a fun-filled fair on 1stJune, aptly named, Truly, Madly, Cornish, which is the perfect place to pick up some local souvenirs.
The fantastic food and drink that is available in this beautiful part of the world has not been forgotten in the Fal Festival celebrations. Children with an interest in cooking can head to famous chef Rick Steins restaurant on the 28thMay for a very fishy workshop where they’ll learn all about the fish in our local seas and how to cook them. A mini beer fest on a working boat will take place over the bank holiday weekend whilst those looking to experiment with cuisine are welcome to attend the wood-fired goat festival on 26thMay. Tarquin’s Gin will be hosting a club evening on the 29thMay that is perfect for adults with a taste for gin.
Book-worms are not forgotten during the River Fal celebrations and can hear all about shipwreck survivors at the NMMC from 27thMay – 1stJune. A short film cruise will depart from the harbour on the evening of the 29thMay where you can enjoy a fantastic independent film, asking the director any questions you may have about the feature immediately after. The 30thMay sees a Words Out event hosted by Fish Factory Arts where you can enjoy an evening of supper and storytelling.
That concludes our guide to just some of what is happening during the River Fal Festival at the end of May. As any who have attended can attest, the family-friendly event hosts a range of celebrations, each as delightful as the next, with some of which you may only find in Cornwall.
THE VALLEY is proud to be the only 5 Star Gold Self Catering holiday village of its size in the whole of Cornwall
