It’s not just Cornwall’s many food festivals to look forward to in the summer months, but the array of music festivals hosted throughout the county. These festivals might not attract the biggest names in music, but they provide an excellent opportunity to discover new genres or locals acts. If you are heading to Cornwall to enjoy a child-friendly holiday in Falmouth and the surrounding area at some point this year, take a look below to see what festivals are taking place so you can plan your holiday in coordination.
The Cornwall International Choral Festival showcases the best male voice singing from around the world. Male choirs of all ages head to various venues around Cornwall for the festival, which is the largest of its kind in the world. There will be over 50 concerts between the 2nd and 6th May, including the Barry Male Voice Choir from South Wales, the four-part harmony male voice Australian Rugby Choir and the Atlantic Boychoir from Canada.
This festival is held on the late May Bank Holiday, the 24th to 27th May. Though a little further afield from our holiday cottages, the travel is worth it for the variety of music, singing, dancing and children’s events. The Festival welcomes national and international performers specialising in folk music, at several venues around the town. There will be acoustic and open-mic sessions, barn dances and workshops and much more. You can also buy tickets to individual events if a weekend ticket does not interest you.
Porthilly Spirit festival is a new three-day event, celebrating the best of the outdoors, wellbeing, food and music, in a secluded location on the north Cornwall coast close to Rock. Over the three days, there will be outdoor experiences, wellbeing classes and family activities along with some great music, including Tom Odell, Gilles Peterson, Men Are Singing, Nathan Ball and many more.
The Great Estate is in its third year, and the “garden fête” festival will be returning to the grounds of Scorrier House for some musical mayhem. There will be headline artists, cabaret, Mexican wrestling and Victorian sporting events, creating a dynamic fusion of music, art and food. Indie rock band James will be headlining on the Saturday with other announced acts including Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly. To book day tickets to this eccentric festival head to the greatesatefestival.co.uk.
The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival is in its 16th year and celebrates the maritime heritage of the town. The festival raises money for the RNLI and is a chance for visitors to learn about the history of the fishermen, sailors and farmers who all impacted Falmouth’s livelihood. There will be music throughout the three days, from traditional shanty songs to folk music performances.
The Tropical Pressure Festival brings the music of Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa to Porthtowan, Cornwall. The family-friendly event has music, food and culture to enjoy and will have performers coming from Colombia, Ethiopia, Sudan and across Europe. There is also a dedicated Kids Zone at the festival, with workshops and activities for them to enjoy, and the safe environment allows you to introduce your children to the festival scene.
St Endellion Summer Music Festival grows bigger every year as the church of St Endelienta becomes a venue for the UK’s most prestigious soloists and musicians. The week-long event is a symphony of orchestra, brass bands, Broadway music, string quartets and classical musicians. There are several concerts and performances taking place, and the unique surroundings are perfect for bringing the beautiful music to life.
Boardmasters combines the sea, surfing and music into Cornwall’s most prominent festival at Newquay’s Watergate Bay and Fistral Beach. The laid back vibe of the festival has made it one of the coolest events in Cornwall’s summer calendar. The headlining acts for this year’s festival include the Wu-Tang Clan, Florence and the Machine and Foals, with other acts lined up being Jorja Smith, Dizzee Rascal, The Wombats and Razorlight. Day tickets are available from their official website, as well as camping and weekend tickets.
The Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival returns after a successful year in 2018 and brings together delicious cider with great music. Liverpudlian band, The Zutons, are the headline performers, joined by The Wurzels, REEF and Skinny Lister. Cider lovers will enjoy a weekend of apple-based tipples, live music and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Tickets for all these events can be found on the official websites where you can find more information about what events and activities will be taking place over the weekend or week-long festivals. For more information on the accommodation we offer, get in touch with us today and don’t hesitate to ask about our own recommendations for what’s happening around Cornwall!
THE VALLEY is proud to be the only 5 Star Gold Self Catering holiday village of its size in the whole of Cornwall
