THE PENZANCE GOLOWAN FESTIVAL 2024 IS ON BETWEEN FRIDAY 21 JUNE AND SUNDAY 30 JUNE 2024. WELCOME TO ONE OF THE BEST TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS IN CORNWALL WITH ACTIVITIES FOR ALL OVER 10 INCREDIBLE DAYS…
Traditional celebrations in Penzance. That’s what Golowan 2024 is all about. And it returns to the beautiful Cornish town between Friday 21 and Sunday 30 June 2024. There’s always plenty of energy flowing around this wonderfully upbeat and colourful affair which has, as the organisers say, ‘something for everyone to enjoy’, whatever the weather.
Loads of events and activities take place across the festival, including the famous Mazey Day 2024 on Saturday 29 June 2024 and the Quay Fair Day 2024 on Sunday 30 June 2024.
Expect spectacular parades and mesmerising performances on those two days, as well as music by the Golowan Band, traditional ‘serpent dances’, an incredible array of workshops, Cornish dancing, activities for the kids, a marquee featuring local musical acts, bands and DJs, and, well, just lots more besides.
Golowan 2024, in short, is a 10-day festival of arts, culture, parades and performances. It’s been called the UK’s second largest street festival, in fact.
Here’s a flavour of the main events over the 10 days in June 2024:
Friday 21 June 2024 – The Golowan Launch Party in Penzance
Sunday 23 June 2024 – There’s a Civic Church Parade for the Feast Services alongside a torchlit procession
Thursday 27 June 2024 – Enjoy the Mock Mayor Elections in Penzance
Friday 28 June 2024 – The Golowan Fireworks light up the sky
Saturday 29 June 2024 – The annual Mazey Day Celebrations take place
Sunday 30 June 2024 – The festival closes out with a Quay Fair Day in the town.
*Check out the official website for the full programme of events over the 10 days. Click on the ‘website’ link above to access that, once it has been published.
The Penzance Golowan Festival 2024 is based on the traditional Cornish midsummer festivals that were all the rage in the 18th and 19th centuries, particularly in the Penzance area. ‘Golowan’ actually means the ‘Feast of St John’ in Cornish. In 2024, St John’s Eve takes place on Sunday 23 June.
Expect other events under the Golowan banner on 23 June, as well as midsummer eve bonfires across Cornwall, including the annual Madron Midsummer Eve Bonfire (see here for details) and the St Ives Midsummer Eve Bonfire (see here for details).
The Golowan Festival was outlawed in the 1890s due to the fire risk it posed, thanks to the strong traditions of blazing tar barrels that were paraded around the streets and big bonfires being lit on the hills around the town and Mounts Bay.
In 1991, Golowan was revived, though, thanks to local people who wanted to relaunch traditional activities such as the lively ‘serpent dance’, those rowdy ‘mock mayor elections’, some far-safer-these-days fireworks, street entertainment, parades, music, performing arts and the always vibrant quayside fair. Expect so much colour, flags, banners, performances and just a celebratory atmosphere across the town throughout. Plus, there is also a strong emphasis of passing on knowledge to all visitors about the history and background of Golowan.
Big tip: make sure you catch Penglaz, the Penzance ‘Obby ‘Oss, who makes an appearance on St John’s Eve. And also don’t be afraid to dress up in bright clothes or even in fancy dress. However you want to dress up and whatever days you want to go, make it to Golowan 2024 for a traditional and fun slice of Cornwall. This is how we do it.
Another big tip: Look out for fringe events a week before the big weekend. But certainly head to Penzance for some of the most colourful festivities over the 10 days. Golowan 2024. Experience and enjoy this famous, fun and fascinating local festival in Cornwall.