Cornwall has become famous as one of the best places in Britain for New Year celebrations. There are New Year’s Eve parties across Cornwall, most of them involving fancy dress and fireworks.
Most of the towns and villages in Cornwall have some sort of celebration on New Year’s Eve; however, St Ives and Newquay are the places that really pull out the stops. Fancy seeing in the New Year in grand style? The most in-demand New Year ticket in Cornwall is for The Cathedral Masquerade in Truro, an extravaganza of music, dancing and performance held in the most spectacular setting. Dress code: red-carpet ready.
St Ives has become the unofficial New Year capital of Cornwall, and people come from all over Britain to celebrate in the seaside town. The streets are closed to traffic in the evening, while revellers parade around the town dressed in fancy dress. It’s super family-friendly and the atmosphere is lovely. Enjoy the street food, entertainment and buzzing pubs, then head down to Harbour Beach in time for the midnight fireworks.
There are also fireworks in Padstow at New Year. Again, the display is held by the harbour, where the fireworks light up the water and silhouette the boats, creating the most beautiful effect. If you can, try to book a table at one of the town’s many excellent restaurants before the midnight display.
As you’d expect from Cornwall’s party town, Newquay puts on a good show at New Year. Like St Ives, people don their best fancy dress and head into the streets. There are also lots of celebrations going on inside Newquay’s famous clubs and pubs. As midnight approaches, everyone converges on the harbour for, you’ve guessed it, fireworks.
Looe slightly bucks the trend by having two waterside firework displays at New Year. The first one is at six o’clock and is a family-friendly event, followed by the main display at midnight. Both take place at the town’s old Banjo Pier. Again, remember to pack your fancy dress costume, and book your restaurant table well in advance. If you’re feeling fragile the next morning, you can always blow away the cobwebs at Looe’s New Year’s Day dip…
Cornwall is a gentle place to wake up on New Year’s Day. The fresh sea air revives even the most hungover reveller, especially if your bracing walk is followed by a full Cornish breakfast… Most people head out for a stank (Cornish for a good walk) on New Year’s Day, giving the coast paths and narrow streets a cheerful feel. The hardiest souls head for one of Cornwall’s many New Year’s Day sea swims: pop along to watch a “dip” even if you don’t take the plunge yourself. Attractions such as the Eden Project are open on New Year’s day if the family needs to let off steam. Book the kids a session on Eden’s excellent ice rink while you enjoy a warming cuppa at the rinkside cafe.
If you make one New Year’s resolution for 2024, make it to take some time for yourself. Book a January break at The Cornwall, or plan a day at our spa with your friends. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to The Cornwall in 2024. In the meantime, may we wish you Bledhen nowydh da, a very happy Cornish New Year.
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