LOWENDER 2026 TAKES PLACE IN OCTOBER 2026 IN REDRUTH. HEAR THE BEST IN CORNISH MUSIC AND WATCH THE BEST IN TRADITIONAL DANCING AT THIS COLOURFUL ANNUAL FESTIVAL. NOTE: THERE IS NO MAIN CELTIC FESTIVAL IN 2025
When it comes to traditional Cornish music and dancing, the Lowender Celtic festival has to be one of Cornwall’s most important and inspiring events. Attracting hundreds of performers from Celtic nations and regions like Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Brittany every year, it is a festival that adds so much energy and colour to Cornwall while also making sure its Celtic traditions are laid bare for both locals and visitors to learn about and enjoy.
It takes place over a few days in autumn, with Lowender 2024 (formerly known as Lowender Peran but it updated its name in 2023) taking place between Friday 25 and Sunday 27 October 2024 in Redruth. But when is the 2026 festival? Well, that will be announced all in good time, although expect it to be in October 2026. You just need to know for now that the main Celtic festival won’t take place in 2025. You gotta wait til 2026!
Expect entertainment like Cornish wrestling, street entertainment, a Hunter’s Full Moon Party and a ‘range of cool workshops over the festival in October 2026. In short, expect a wealth of exciting events and traditional activities.
For more than 40 years now, Lowender Cornwall has been an important influence when it comes to the modern revival of Cornish music, song and dance. It started in 1978 and was always held in Perranporth until it switched to Newquay in 2014. Now it is held in multiple locations in Redruth, in the heart of Cornwall’s historical mining country, a region known for its love of culture and tradition.
Dancing during Lowender!
As a guide for what could happen at the 2026 edition, here is a rundown of previous highlights:
Thursday 26 October 2023: Redruth School hosted the Thriving Traditions showcase, which included performances by all-female Perranporth-based shanty act Kana, singer and fiddler Richard Trethewey and Cornish dance group Kekezza.
Friday 27 October 2023: There was street entertainment in Fore Street during the day, including Cornish wrestling, plus Scottish, Irish and Manx music sessions at St Rumons Town Bar. Redruth School hosted Breton band PLACK, Welsh act AVANC and Cornish outfit Splann in the evening alongside fresh crepes.
Saturday 28 October 2023: A 2023 Lowender special mini cider festival took place at Market Hall during the day alongside an array of street entertainment. There was also a Scottish Highland dance workshop, a ‘fiddle technique’ lesson, a guitar accompaniment workshop and a Cornish folklore adventure story at St Andrew’s Church. In the evening, the Hunter’s Moon Party was a scream…
Sunday 29 October 2023: The final day saw a Celtic service taking place at Redruth Methodist Church in the morning before a sing-song inspired by Cornish and Celtic music rounded all the fun off in Redruth town centre.
That is just a flavour, however. Head to the official Lowender website for more. And then prepare to experience a unique Celtic festival in the heart of Cornwall that’s quite simply like no other. Oll an gwella!