St Piran’s Day 2025

ST PIRAN’S DAY 2025 TAKES PLACE ACROSS CORNWALL ON WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025, PLUS ON THE WEEKEND BEFORE. HERE ARE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WHERE TO CELEBRATE ST PIRAN’S DAY IN CORNWALL IN 2025, PLUS HISTORY…

The St Piran’s Day 2025 celebrations are set to be monumental. This is such an important part of Cornwall’s culture, history and identity, so expect a cream-and-jam-packed day of festivities across the Duchy on Wednesday 5 March 2025. We’ll waste no time getting into the nitty gritty: where to go to celebrate St Pirans Day 2025…

St Piran’s Day, honouring Cornwall’s beloved patron saint, is celebrated with fervour across the county. Here’s a roundup of events in various towns for 2025:

Redruth: The festivities kick off on Saturday, 1st March 2025, from 10am to 3pm in the town centre. The day features a vibrant parade starting from Lemins Court, winding through the town to conclude near the Regal Cinema. Attendees can enjoy market stalls in Market Hall and along Market Strand, live music performances, and a Red Squirrel Trail. Artist Marc Craig will unveil a permanent mural as part of his Ark of Extinction Global Project. For more details, visit:

Truro: On Wednesday, 5th March 2025, Truro’s parade commences at 1pm from Lemon Quay, proceeding through the city centre and concluding at High Cross by 2pm. The event includes speeches and a rendition of “Trelawny,” Cornwall’s anthem. Primary schools will showcase dance performances on Lemon Quay before and during the parade. A shop window dressing competition will be judged in the morning, with winners announced at High Cross at 1:30pm. Musicians are invited to join the band playing “The Pengelly Marches.” For participation details, contact Abbie Williams at events@truro.gov.uk.

Newquay: The St Piran’s Day Parade in Newquay is scheduled for Wednesday, 5th March 2025. Participants gather at Beachfield Avenue from 3:30pm, with the parade starting at 4pm. The procession moves through Gover Lane, Bank Street, and East Street, culminating at the Piazza. The event celebrates Cornish heritage with music, dance, and community activities. For further details, see:

Bude: Bude-Stratton Town Council invites locals to celebrate on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, at 2pm at the Elizabeth Mast on Summerleaze Downs. The ceremony includes the raising of a large St Piran’s flag, with participation from local school children and community groups. For more information, visit:

Penryn: The Institute of Cornish Studies is hosting a St Piran’s celebration on Friday, 7th March 2025, from 4:30pm to 7pm at the Upper Stannary, Daphne du Maurier Building, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus. The event aims to bring the story of St Piran and Cornish storytelling to life through various performances and activities. Details can be found at:

Helston: Helston will come alive with a Lantern Parade on Saturday, 8th March 2025, at the Boating Lake. The family-friendly evening promises light displays, music, and a strong sense of community spirit. For more information, refer to:

Penzance: Over 500 children will participate in the St Piran in Penwith Furry dance on Wednesday, 5th March 2025, starting at 10:15am. The procession moves through Causewayhead, Queen Square, Parade Street, and concludes at Morrab Gardens with a spirited rendition of “Trelawny.” Further details are available at:

These events offer a splendid opportunity to immerse oneself in Cornish culture and celebrate the legacy of St Piran.

THE LEGEND OF ST PIRAN

Back in the fifth century, an abbot in Ireland found he had acquired some pretty odd powers. His pagan rulers didn’t like this so they wrapped a millstone around his neck and tossed him into stormy waters to drown. Miraculously, however, the sea immediately became calm and the holy man floated safely across the Irish Sea all the way to the beach at Perranzabuloe in Cornwall where, once he was over his ordeal, he set about preaching the gospel.

The abbot quickly called Cornwall his home and his first disciples are said to have been a badger, a fox and a bear. Later in life, he chose a large black rock as a fireplace which, once lit, oozed a white liquid from the stone. He shared his discovery – tin – with the locals and it became the bedrock of Cornwall’s economy for centuries to come.

In a nutshell, that’s the story of Cornwall’s patron saint, St Piran, who is also the patron saint of tinners. We’ll leave it to you to unpack the facts from the legend but whatever the reality, St Piran is forever remembered and adored in Cornwall. Even the county flag is inspired by the holy man as its white cross represents the white tin flowing from the black rock – the black background – and it all signifies good triumphing over evil.

It’s fitting then that St Piran gets his own annual celebration. St Pirans Day, or the Feast of St Piran, is held on 5 March every year across Cornwall as the life and legacy of its colourful patron saint is marked. It’s said that St Piran was a notoriously jolly drunk – indeed the phrase ‘as drunk as a Perraner’ is a nod to his antics – and in the truest spirit of the man himself, the Cornish celebrate his day with a variety of parades that incorporate singing, dancing, dressing up and a jolly good knees up.

There’s a wealth of lively events across the county on the day and also during ‘Perrantide’, which is the Cornish name for the week that leads up to the big day. Expect events like St Piran’s Day afternoon teas being held by groups like the Cornwall Federation of Women’s Institutes or ‘St Piran Special’ gigs in the county. Busy towns like Newquay often have weeks leading up to 5 March to celebrate the big day, including talks, exhibitions, concerts and a massive parade. In fact, most towns across Cornwall host their own parades and events to mark this special day, each with their own local take on proceedings. So, whatever tickles your fancy on St Piran’s Day 2025, get involved and have a great day of celebration. Happy St Piran’s!