Showcasing Padstow at its best, the festival is one of the UK’s largest, bringing together chefs, local food producers and crafts-folk to celebrate Christmas in a captivating waterside setting. Attracting over 40,000 visitors, each year sees the festival increase in popularity.
Embrace the festive season with a trip to Padstow’s annual Christmas Festival and see this Cornish fishing village come alive with celebrity chefs, culinary delights and festive fun.
What happens?
Set around Padstow harbour, the two cookery demonstration theatres will be packed with some of the country’s finest chefs.The Sharp’s Brewery Demonstration Theatre will host demonstrations from a number of award-winning chefs. Fans are invited to put questions to their culinary heroes in the festival foodie forum: An Audience with the Chefs. Food lovers will delight in our new Festival Kitchen theatre showcasing local chefs, the county’s best produce and artisan skills.
More than 100 local producers will be selling an array of gifts and products in our tradtional Christmas market, from pies and paintings to jewellery and jams. Ales and ciders from Cornwall’s favourite breweries will also be on offer, including a selection of beer from the festival’s headline sponsor, Sharp’s.
Yuletide entertainment thoughout the weekend includes the arrival of Santa on his horse drawn Victorian bus, a spectacular fireworks display, live music, carol concerts and a lantern parade. Join hundreds of festival-goers for Santa’s Fun Run in aid of Cornwall Hospice Care. Runners dressed as Father Christmas will be accompanied by cycling Santa’s who will arrive by bike along the Camel Trail.
The festival website should provide you with all the information you need to plan your time at the festival. It includes demonstration timetables, chef biographies, a guide to the traditional Christmas Market and weekend entertainment plus a handy map.
For updates, follow on the festival on Twitter and like the festival on its Facebook pages. Check out the festival highlights.
How can you take part?
Amid scenic estuary views and carols around the Christmas tree, visitors can soak up the merry atmosphere whilst escaping the hustle and bustle of city life. Food and drink stands will be celebrating all things Cornish with seasonal food and drink on offer. You can also explore Padstow’s boutique retailers during late night shopping or enjoy a meal in one of the town’s renowned restaurants, cafes and pubs. The celebration will culminate with a special Christmas service and carols at the historic St Petroc’s church at the end of the festival.
Did you know?
Many of Padstow’s pubs, cafes and restaurants run special seasonal offers throughout the festival.
Padstow Christmas Festival