THE ESEDHVOS FESTIVAL OF CORNISH CULTURE CELEBRATES CORNWALL’S CELTIC HERITAGE WITH A WEEK OF EVENTS ACROSS THE DUCHY EACH SEPTEMBER. ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS…
Each year, Gorsedh Kernow, an organisation founded in 1928 to preserve and promote Cornwall’s unique Celtic identity, hosts the Esedhvos Festival of Cornish Culture. This annual event takes place during the first week of September, moving to a different town each year to share Cornwall’s traditions far and wide. Open to all, the festival is a chance to experience Cornish heritage, music, literature, language, and art through a variety of events and ceremonies.
The centrepiece of the festival is the Gorsedh Kernow Bardic Ceremony, a grand procession where bards—dressed in their traditional blue robes—gather to honour Cornwall’s cultural past, present, and future. The event takes place on the first Saturday of September in an open space, often within historic or scenic surroundings, and is conducted in the Cornish language, with music, poetry, and the induction of new bards. This tradition has remained unbroken since its foundation in 1928.
The festival also includes a range of public events celebrating Cornwall’s rich culture. Expect exhibitions, book fairs, workshops, concerts, ceilidhs, talks, and open discussions on Cornwall’s history and its place in the wider Celtic world. Many of these events take place in local town halls, galleries, and community spaces, ensuring that each host town plays an active role in the celebrations. Visitors can also enjoy stalls featuring Cornish crafts, produce, and language resources, as well as performances from musicians, dancers, and storytellers keeping age-old traditions alive.
Traditional dances performed by youngsters in Cornwall are a highlight of this celebration every year
The Esedhvos Festival is a time to honour Cornwall’s heritage while looking to its future. Whether you’re attending the Bardic Ceremony, exploring an exhibition, joining a Cornish language session, or enjoying live music, the festival offers a unique glimpse into Cornwall’s living culture. The host town changes annually, with recent years seeing the festival held in Padstow, Hayle, Launceston, and Callington. To find out where the next Esedhvos Festival will be and to explore the full programme of events, visit Gorsedh Kernow’s official website.
For anyone who cherishes Cornwall’s Celtic roots, language, and traditions, this festival is not to be missed. So come along, join the celebrations, and experience Cornish culture at its finest.