Padstow Christmas Festival

Can you believe, it’s coming round to that time of year again!  The nights are drawing in, the clocks have gone back, and thoughts are turning to Christmas, and all the things that come with it.  That, of course, includes the Padstow Christmas Festival, which has grown in size and popularity in recent years to become a real foodie’s extravaganza, regularly attracting around thirty to forty thousand visitors.

Christmas in Padstow is a truly magical time - the town is decked out with thousands of multi-coloured Christmas lights, and there are pontoons in the harbour with the glimmer of lights reflecting on the water.  Voices and music float on the crisp winter air, and delicious scents waft from every doorway.

The Festival has many attractions to draw visitors in, including stalls selling local produce, gifts and crafts, a lantern parade by local schoolchildren (accompanied by none other than Father Christmas!), a spectacular fireworks display and of course, demonstrations by many well-known chefs, both from Cornwall and further afield.  In past years, Santa has hitched a ride on a fire engine - this year, he will make a spectacular entrance on a horse-drawn Victorian bus.  

Marquees are set up on the harbourside, one housing the market, and another containing a kitchen area where you can watch the likes of Rick Stein, Nathan Outlaw, Paul Ainsworth and many others doing cookery demonstrations and talks.  The organisers also produce an annual festival cookbook, which is available to buy if you want to try out some of the recipes for yourself.

With such an extraordinary array of crafts, gifts and artwork, and a tempting selection of foods including locally-produced chocolate, fudge, preserves, pasties, cakes, cheeses and so on, you need look no further for Christmas shopping opportunities!  Most of the town’s shops stay open until late in the evenings, and many provide drinks and nibbles for you to enjoy, making for a wonderfully convivial and festive atmosphere.

Those who feel like it can take part in the Santa Fun Run.  There are two routes, one shorter, one longer, meaning anyone can get involved (a Santa costume is provided!).  There is a great selection of live music from a number of local bands - whatever your taste, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.  The kids among you (big and little!) can go and meet Santa’s reindeer, and there is (it goes without saying) lots of delicious food and drink on offer.

With so much going on, and the popularity of the festival growing year on year, it is a pretty safe bet that it will continue for many years to come. If you have already booked your accommodation and will be visiting the Padstow Christmas Festival this year, please pop in and say hello to us in the main Christmas marquee!