THE PENZANCE GOLOWAN FESTIVAL 2025 IS SET TO ENCHANT FROM FRIDAY 20 JUNE TO SUNDAY 29 JUNE 2025. JOIN IN ONE OF CORNWALL’S MOST BELOVED TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS, OFFERING TEN DAYS OF VIBRANT ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGES…
Traditional celebrations in Penzance. That’s what Golowan 2025 is all about. And it returns to the beautiful Cornish town between Friday 20 and Sunday 29 June 2025. 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. Penzance comes alive with music, street performances, parades, markets, and arts, making it a true highlight in Cornwall’s cultural calendar.
Loads of events and activities take place across the festival, including the famous Mazey Day on Saturday 28 June and the Quay Fair Day on Sunday 29 June. 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, and activities for the kids. A marquee featuring local musical acts, bands, and DJs will keep the energy high, with street performers and pop-up acts entertaining the crowds throughout the town.
Golowan 2025, 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, and every year it draws thousands of people to experience the unique and historic celebration of midsummer in Cornwall.
The festival officially launches with the Golowan Opening Party on Friday 20 June, setting the tone for ten days of celebrations. Sunday 22 June brings the traditional Civic Church Parade, followed by the torchlit procession in the evening, where glowing lanterns light up the streets of Penzance, creating a mesmerising sight. Monday 23 June continues the festivities with the Torchlit Procession, adding to the atmospheric magic of midsummer. Thursday 26 June sees the return of the Mock Mayor Elections, a raucous and hilarious part of the festival that embodies Penzance’s playful spirit.
As the festival reaches its peak, Friday 27 June will see spectacular Golowan Fireworks, illuminating Mount’s Bay in a breathtaking display. Saturday 28 June marks Mazey Day, the centrepiece of Golowan, featuring parades of giant sculptures, schoolchildren in vibrant costumes, marching bands, and the iconic Serpent Dance weaving its way through the town. The following day, Sunday 29 June, rounds off the festival with Quay Fair Day, where the celebrations move to Penzance’s harbourside, featuring a fantastic mix of market stalls, street entertainers, live performances, and plenty of delicious Cornish food and drink to enjoy.
The festival’s main events include:
- Friday 20 June 2025: Golowan Launch Party – Kick off the festivities with music and merriment.
- Sunday 22 June 2025: Civic Church Parade for the Feast Services – A traditional procession honoring the Feast of St John.
- Monday 23 June 2025: Torchlit Procession – An evening parade illuminating the streets of Penzance.
- Thursday 26 June 2025: Mock Mayor Elections – A humorous and satirical election, a festival favorite.
- Friday 27 June 2025: Golowan Fireworks – A dazzling display lighting up the Penzance skyline.
- Saturday 28 June 2025: Mazey Day Celebrations – The highlight of the festival, featuring vibrant parades with imaginative structures crafted by local schools and artists.
- Sunday 29 June 2025: Quay Fair Day – Festivities move to the harbour area, with market stalls, music, and entertainment.
Golowan, meaning ‘Feast of St John’ in Cornish, revives the midsummer celebrations popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Historically, the festival was marked by bonfires, fireworks, dancing, and music, but was discontinued in the late 19th century due to safety concerns. The 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 on passing on knowledge to all visitors about the history and background of Golowan.
The 2025 festival theme, “On the Crest of a Wave”, celebrates the power and allure of Cornwall’s coastline. Participants are encouraged to embrace this theme with creative attire, drawing inspiration from seafaring legends, pirates, mythical sea creatures, maritime trade, and Cornwall’s rich history of shipbuilding and fishing. Whether it’s grand costumes, shimmering fabrics reminiscent of the ocean, or nautical stripes and sailor hats, festival-goers are encouraged to dive into the theme and become part of the spectacle.
The streets of Penzance will be alive with music throughout the festival, from Cornish folk groups and shanty singers to contemporary bands and DJs keeping the celebrations going late into the evening. Expect a mix of traditional tunes, storytelling through song, and modern beats that provide the perfect festival soundtrack. The variety of performances showcases Cornwall’s musical heritage while welcoming influences from further afield, making it a truly dynamic celebration.
One of the standout aspects of Golowan is the incredible sense of community. Local artists, craftspeople, schools, and businesses all play a huge role in bringing the festival to life. Street stalls will be brimming with handcrafted goods, from jewellery and pottery to locally made textiles, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to take home a piece of Cornwall. Delicious food vendors will line the streets, serving everything from fresh seafood and pasties to international street food, making sure no one goes hungry amidst the festivities.
Big tip: make sure you catch Penglaz, the Penzance ‘Obby ‘Oss, who makes an appearance on St John’s Eve. The eerie presence of this Cornish horse-headed figure, accompanied by musicians and dancers, is one of the most iconic sights of the festival and a direct link to its ancient roots. Another big tip: Look out for fringe events a week before the big weekend, as there are always extra performances, art shows, and pop-up workshops adding even more depth to the celebrations.
However you want to dress up and whatever days you want to go, make sure to experience Golowan 2025 for a traditional and fun slice of Cornwall. With a heady mix of history, music, laughter, and spectacle, this is a festival that perfectly encapsulates the heart and soul of Penzance. It’s not just an event—it’s an experience, and one that truly needs to be lived to be believed.