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What’s on this Christmas in Cornwall – 2025 guide

What’s on this Christmas in Cornwall – 2025 guide

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Cornwall isn’t just a summer destination. It’s also a wonderful place to venture in the winter months. We can particularly recommend spending Christmas in Cornwall. Read on for my guide to what’s on in Cornwall this Christmas.

As I’m publishing this post well before the summer don’t be surprised if some regular events are marked as still to be confirmed. I’ll be updating this guide as the year progresses.

Having said that, it won’t be long before ticket sales for some of the most popular Christmas days out go live. Don’t delay in booking your tickets for these Christmas events happening in 2025. They’re bound to get snapped up fast.

You might also like to read my top Christmas days out in Devon, festive events around the country, illuminations and light trails, and my guide to UK Christmas Markets in 2025.

Know of an event or experience not included? Get in touch! I’m adding and updating listings all the time based on the information I spot online and receive.

*This post contains affiliate links*

The best places to visit in Cornwall this Christmas

From Santa’s grottos to illuminations and markets, here’s where to keep an eye out for festive events happening in Cornwall in 2025.

Christmas events in Cornwall 2025

Here’s where to head for festive spirit and maybe even a mulled Cornish cyder!

Night Gardens at the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Illuminated umbrellas in trees at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Illuminations at Lost Gardens of Heligan

Enter the Heligan Night Gardens and enjoy an enchanting lantern experience set amidst the atmospheric Lost Gardens.

Explore the Gardens as they are beautifully lit by a variety of traditional paraffin lanterns and discover a breath-taking display of flora and fauna lanterns, illuminated within Heligan’s much-loved and iconic locations.  

Heligan Night Gardens, St Austell, selected dates from November to January.

Christmas at Camel Creek

Enjoy story time with Father Christmas during which every child receives a gift, plus join Santa’s Elves in their workshop for festive arts and crafts, send your letter to Santa and take the Naughty or Nice Test..

This is all on top of the park’s usual Winter fun and excitement, including the indoor play area at Creeky’s Playhouse, the Carousel and Wave Rider swings. Animal lovers have the chance to explore The Stables, Reptile House and the Meerkat Enclosure.

Camel Creek, Wadebridge, selected dates from November to December.

Christmas at the Eden Project

Father Christmas and elves in a festive grotto at the Eden Project
Picture credit: Eden Project

Eden will be even more magical this Christmas with a market, Father Christmas and illuminations. Buckle up because here’s what’s on…

The ice rink opens from October and continues throughout the winter season. Don’t forget to book your tickets separately if you want to skate.

From November, the biome will be transformed into a glittering wonderland with lights, projections and installations after dark. Book a time slot in advance.

Father Christmas returns to Eden Project for a brand new theatrical immersive experience from November to December. Go behind the scenes to see what happens in the run up to 25 December and meet Santa himself.

Then on a weekend in November the Eden Christmas Fair takes place.

Christmas at Eden, St Austell, November to January.

Christmas at Paradise Park

Visit Santa’s grotto complete with elves and enjoy a bracing walk around the park to see the animals.

Book your visit in advance for the best price. You’ll be given your exact time slot when you arrive at the park and Santa’s assistant elf or fairy will meet you and take you into his magical grotto.

Santa will greet the children, have a little chat and give them their gift – have your camera ready for this lovely experience.

Paradise Park, selected dates in December.

Christmas at National Trust places in Cornwall

Here’s what’s on at National Trust properties in Cornwall this Christmas:

Christmas at Cotehele

See Cotehele’s famous Christmas garland decorating the hall of this Tudor house. The garland has been created using fresh foliage and flowers for the past 60 years.

If you’d like to see the garland being made by volunteers visit in November.

You can also see Cotehele Mill decorated for a family Christmas and head out on a frosty walk around the estate.

Please be aware that only the hall in the house will be open.

Cotehele, near Saltash, November to January.

Christmas at Trerice

Explore the Elizabethan manor house which will be decorated for Christmas, book storytelling with Father Christmas, and enjoy festive performances from a selection of choirs.

Trerice, near Newquay, selected dates from November.

Christmas at Trelissick

Father Christmas and local choirs will be leading the seasonal celebrations at Trelissick this year. See the house decorated for a Cornish Christmas and book an audience with the big man on selected dates.

Read more about our last visit to Trelissick.

Trelissick, near Truro, December to January.

Christmas lights in Trengwainton Garden

See the walled garden at Trengwainton and orchard lit with fairy lights and lanterns made by local schools and local artists.

The lights can be viewed from an accessible trail that’s open for bookable visits over three weekends in December.

Trengwainton, near Penzance, weekends from November to December. 

Godolphin Christmas weekends

This festive season experience see Godolphin adorned with Christmas finery, enjoy a warming mince pie and mulled wine, and listen to the festive chorus of local choirs performing.

Godolphin, Helston, weekends from November to December.

Santa trains in Cornwall

Want to ride a Christmas train? Here’s where to find them in Cornwall:

Christmas at Lappa Valley

Take a festive steam train ride through Lappa Valley at this fun Christmas event.

Santa and his elves will be waiting to greet children in their grotto and there will be seasonal refreshments for all. Every child receives a present.

The soft play and woodland train will also be available.

Don’t delay – this event always sells out!

Lappa Valley, Newquay, selected dates from November to December.

Santa Specials at Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Santa stood on platform infant of steam train at Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Credit: Bodmin & Wenford Railway

Take a ride with Santa and his elves on this heritage steam train. There will be an activity sheet and crafting task for kids while adults can indulge in a Christmas tipple at the brand new station bar.

The brandling ride last between 50 minutes and and hour. Each child will be gifted a soft plush toy from Santa himself.

There will also be photo opportunities at the station where there’s a light tunnel and photo booth.

Take a look at our visit to Bodmin & Wenford Railway.

Bodmin & Wenford Railway, Bodmin, weekends in December.

Santa’s grottos in Cornwall

Here’s where to Meet Santa in Cornwall this Christmas:

Meet Santa at the Lost Gardens of Heligan

Father Christmas and his elves at the Lost Gardens of Heligan
Credit: Lost Gardens of Heligan

This Christmas Heligan will be hosting a very special guest – Santa himself!

As you explore the Gardens on your way to your visit, don’t forget to stop in The Northern Summerhouse to write your letter to Father Christmas.

Within the Festive Reserve Yard there will be music, Christmas crackers, festive crafts, and marshmallows to toast over the warming fire. Santa himself can be found in the Head Gardeners Office.

Each child will be gifted a small traditional children’s present to remember their visit.

You ticket includes entry to the gardens and the light trail trail. Tickets go on sale in September.

Lost Gardens of Heligan, St Austell, November to December.

A Day before Christmas at Bedruthan Hotel

Santa is checking into the Bedruthan Hotel for some much needed R&R before the big day. While he relaxes he’s more than happy to meet children over lunch or dinner.

There might be an early Christmas present too.

Bedruthan Hotel, Bedruthan, throughout December.

Don’t forget the grottos at Paradise Park, Eden Project and the National Trust places listed above!

Ice skating in Cornwall

Here’s where to find ice rinks in Cornwall this Christmas:

Ice skating at the Eden Project

The Eden Project’s annual ice rink returns from October.

Book your session in advance and in addition to your entrance ticket to The Eden Project. Family skating sessions take place each morning with skating aids.

Ice skating at the Eden Project, St Austell, throughout the winter from October.

Read about what you can expect when visiting the Eden Project.

Christmas markets in Cornwall

Want to pick up a unique Christmas gift or sample some delicious Cornish mulled cider? Here’s where to find Christmas markets in Cornwall this year:

Fowey Christmas Market

Visit this Cornish coastal town to experience a very West Country Christmas with 200 stalls packed with locally produced food and drink, and festive gifts.

Fowey Christmas Market is one of the top things to do in Cornwall this Christmas. 

Over the course of three days it takes over the town with traders spread across picturesque Fowey Town Quay, Albert Quay, Webb Street and Town Hall.

Fowey Christmas Market, Fowey, Cornwall, November.

Cornwall Christmas Fair at The Eden Project

This annual charity event raises much needed funds for community and grassroots non-profit organisations through Cornwall Community Foundation.

The fair takes place in the Eden Kitchen, between the two Biomes, with a huge range of festive stalls including a glorious selection of Christmas gifts, decorations, home accessories, clothing, jewellery, skin care and artwork. 

There’s also plenty of food and drink in The Cornwall Bakery Food Hall. 

Christmas Fair, The Eden Project, November.

The BIG Christmas Market, Truro

The Big Christmas Market in Truro takes place at Lemon Quay with range of local crafts, unique gifts, and seasonal treats to be found among the stalls.

The Big Christmas Market in Truro takes place at Lemon Quay with range of local crafts, unique gifts, and seasonal treats to be found among the stalls.

The Big Christmas Market, Truro, November to December.

Find more days out in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland in my big round up of 101 UK attractions for families.

Where to stay in Cornwall this Christmas

Haven Cottages - The Valley Cornwall Review, luxury cottages in Cornwall

We love staying in Cornwall, particularly in the quieter winter months. Here’s a few of the places we have stayed and recommend for families:

Looking for something different? Search for your perfect place to stay in Cornwall*.

More things to do in Cornwall

St Michaels Mount Cornwall

If you’re looking for more places to visit in Cornwall then we can recommend days out when it’s raining in Cornwall, great things to do in the summer and dog-friendly days out around Cornwall.

Or why not read our guide to family holidays in Cornwall.

If you know of something happening that isn’t listed already then let me know. I’m adding listings all the time based on the information I spot online and receive.

Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links marked with *. If you click on one of these and make a purchase I may earn some commission. This does not affect the price you pay.

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