BEST CORNWALL CHRISTMAS MARKETS 2023 COVERS OUR PICK OF THE BEST FESTIVE MARKETS IN THE DUCHY THIS YEAR AS WELL AS A FEW GREAT CHRISTMAS THINGS TO DO IN CORNWALL 2023 FOR FAMILIES, KIDS AND, OH, EVERYONE…
Who doesn’t love a good Christmas market? Well, here’s the Proper Cornwall pick of the best Christmas markets in Cornwall 2023. And we have thrown in a few Cornwall Christmas things to do 2023 as well so you get to choose the coolest events taking place in the Duchy this year. We’re here to help you navigate the fairy lights and the festive music so you can choose the best Yuletide markets and events in our magical winter wonderland that is Cornwall. Below are the Christmas markets, festivals and fairs that we just love in the Duchy in the run up to the big festive day. If you’re here looking for a Santa’s grotto in Cornwall, though, you need to look at our ‘Where to See Santa‘ story: here. But if you’re in it for the wintery, welcoming and warm market atmosphere then read on. Pick up mulled wines, artisanal crafts, mince pies, toys, jewellery and local gift ideas at these incredible 2023 Cornish Christmas fairs and markets. Enjoy…
Date: Every weekend (began in November) up to Sunday 17 December 2023
Location: Kay’s Cyderhouse at Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm, Penhallow, between Truro and Perranporth
Type: These free weekend Yuletide markets with ‘mulled cyder and hearty food’ return for the seventh year at the cider attraction
Suitable for: Seasonal shoppers who love cider products, gift ideas, Christmas songs and crafts like Christmas cookie decorating
For the kids: Story times with cookies and some ‘juice blending’ workshops
Special Christmas market treat: Cookies for the kids but surely it’s that ‘mulled cyder’ for the adults!
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Date: Friday 17 November 2023-Tuesday 2 January 2024 (all the way through December 2023!)
Location: The Lost Gardens of Heligan, just off the B3273, Pentewan, near Mevagissey and St Austell
Type: Incredible Christmassy experience in the lost gardens with beautiful lights and much more besides
Suitable for: Kids, families, couples and anyone who wants to see and feel Christmas, especially when the sun goes down
For the kids: There are lantern-making workshops as part of the experience which cost £6 per child
Special Christmas treat: Sure, this isn’t a market but it’s an outstanding festive experience that will warm the heart. Click on the ‘Read More’ button below for the full details…
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Date: Thursday 23 November 2023 from 10am to 4pm (with a ‘preview evening’ on the Wednesday too)
Location: Eden Project, Bodelva, Par (5km from St Austell)
Type: According to the organisers, it’s ‘Cornwall’s most vibrant Christmas fair’. Says it all, really!
Suitable for: Bargain hunters who like their luxurious gift buying at a market inside Europe’s most recognisable eco attraction
For the kids: The food and toy stalls, although this event is less geared towards children and more towards adults
Special Christmas treat: The biomes turn purple for the duration of this market ‘to mark the fair’s support for Cornwall’s communities’. Also, this is a ticketed fair and market, so click the yellow button below for the full price and stall details…
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Date: Saturday 25 & Sunday 26 November 2023 and then Friday 1-Sunday 31 December 2023 (except Christmas and Boxing Days)
Location: Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Quay Road, Charlestown, near St Austell
Type: No market here but the Charlestown museum becomes a winter wonderland of snow, lights, tunnels and treasures
Suitable for: All the family
For the kids: A massive snow globe is at the museum too to experience and explore
Special Christmas treat: Again, this is not a market but it’s a unique festive experience with ‘immersive twinkling tunnels covered in hundreds of thousands of luminous lights’. It’s worth the trip for sure…
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Date: Wednesday 29 November-Sunday 24 December 2023
Location: Lemon Quay (and surrounding areas), Truro
Type: Cornwall’s best free farmers market does Chrimbo like no other!
Suitable for: Christmas lovers of all shapes, sizes and ages who want to wander the bespoke wooden cabins
For the kids: Stalls with locally handmade toys. What kid won’t like that?
Special Christmas market treat: Carol singing by local choirs and late night shopping until 9pm on Wednesdays
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Date: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 December 2023 (10.15am-4pm both days)
Location: Heartlands, Dudnance Lane, Pool, near Redruth
Type: A pretty big ‘Nadelik’ (‘Christmas’ in Cornish!) market with top seasonal stalls to wander through
Suitable for: Anyone wanting to say hi to local craft makers as they shop for unique gift ideas
For the kids: Heartlands, of course, have got the rugrats covered for the Santa as there’s a grotto there but do pre-book!
Special Christmas market treat: A snow machine! And wreath-making workshops for families in between browsing those stalls. Do pre-book those too, though!
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Date: Saturday 2, 9 & Sunday 3, 10 December 2023 (11am-5pm each day)
Location: Carbis Bay Estate, at the end of Beach Road, Carbis Bay Beach, Carbis Bay, near St Ives
Type: Free-to-enter beachfront Christmas market that takes place over the first two weekends in December
Suitable for: Shoppers who want to snap up some festive local artisanal products from more than 40 stalls
For the kids: A Santa’s Grotto in a winter wonderland, kids’ activities, live music and, of course, sweet festive treats on offer
Special Christmas market treat: A kind 2023 Cornwall Christmas market treat: this market raises money for the Cornwall Air Ambulance. Merry altruisitic Christmas!
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Date: Sunday 3 December 2023 (11am-4pm)
Locations: The Parkhouse Centre, Ergue-Gaberic Way, and The Castle Heritage Centre, The Wharf, at the same time in Bude
Type: Double-venue Christmas market that features more than 50 local artisan stalls and kids activities at The Parkhouse alongside live music and workshops at The Castle
Suitable for: Families and kids who aren’t just into the market but also want workshops, activities, magic shows, face painting and music!
For the kids: Free Santa’s Grotto? Check. Children’s crafts? Check. Free face painting? Check!
Special Christmas market treat: Festive Polish food from Justine’s Kitchen. Don’t miss their tasty stall!
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Date: Thursday 7-Sunday 10 December 2023
Location: Across the Padstow waterfront, including on South Quay and Riverside
Type: Christmas celebration spanning four days with an exclusive market alongside cookery demonstrations
Suitable for: Anyone wanting to browse the festive stalls at the annual Christmas market with live music and fab food stalls
For the kids: Firework display. Lantern parade. Say no more
Special Christmas market treat: Cookery demos and talks by top chefs in Cornwall and beyond. Click the ‘Read More’ below for the full rundown of the festival and its ace market…
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Date: Friday 8-Sunday 10 December 2023
Location: All across Fowey, particularly Webb Street, Albert Quay and Fowey Town Quay
Type: Beautiful coastal Christmas market with all sorts of entertainment and musical offerings
Suitable for: Christmas fans of all ages!
For the kids: Winter Fawn and the Elf Stilt Walkers, a Snow Queen Living Statue and Santa. They’re all there at some time over the weekend. Click the ‘Read More’ below for full times and details…
Special Christmas market treat: Well, everything really. Chocolates, Christmas tree decorations, locally produced wine and more!
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Date: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 December 2023 (11am-5pm each day)
Location: Various venues across Falmouth including The Moor off Killigrew Street
Type: A massive festive extravaganza across Falmouth with a free market with a ton of stalls selling seasonal goods
Suitable for: Families and kids who want to shop at the market before enjoying the wealth of other winter activities in town
For the kids: An ice rink, a charity Santa’s Grotto, ‘snowy streets’ and a big snow globe
Special Christmas market treat: A curling lane! Check out the full details by clicking the ‘Read More’ button below…
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Date: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 December 2023 (4pm-7pm each evening)
Location: The Barrow Centre, Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park, Cremyll, Torpoint, near Plymouth and Looe
Type: Christmas market and fair with entertainment and live music
Suitable for: Shoppers searching for some beautiful local and ethically made artisanal gifts and crafts
For the kids: Fire juggling, a choir, a ‘Santa’s post box’ and a ‘twinkle tunnel’
Special Christmas market treat: A mini railway display for the trainspotters! Entry to the market is £4 for adults and children go for £2 each. You must pre-book your tickets, though!
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Date: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 December 2023
Location: The huts at Crooklets Beach (*see below), Crooklets Road, Bude
Type: Unique festive market in and around the beach huts
Suitable for: Christmas lovers who want to browse stalls that are also beach huts!
For the kids: A ‘Beach Hut Grotto’ may be on the cards. It was last year…
Special Christmas market treat: The view, of course! And expect liver music too. (*Those huts in the photo are actually from nearby Summerleaze Beach but you get the picture)
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Date: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 December 2023
Location: Driftwood Spars, Trevaunance Road, St Agnes, near Perranporth
Type: A pretty indoor Christmas market at the much-loved inn over one weekend
Suitable for: Festive shoppers who like their markets small, intimate and free-to-enter
For the kids: There are only 10 to 12 stalls and not much for the kids but they’ll still love the treats on offer
Special Christmas market treat: Mulled wine and ciders. Say no more!
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Date: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 December 2023
Location: Jubilee Wharf, Commercial Road, Penryn, near Falmouth
Type: Intimate festive market and fair in Penryn
Suitable for: Those wanting a small-yet-welcoming Christmas fair and market with free entry
For the kids: Gifts for the young ones on some of the stalls, so they should like that!
Special Christmas market treat: The Muddy Beach bar and restaurant is involved. Two of its awesome cocktails rest on the wharf above!
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