Christmas Lights in Cornwall

Decorating harbours with Christmas lights has long been a key part of the Christmas festivities in Cornwall. Each Christmas tourists and local people flock to see the harbours, sing carols and enjoy the festive season. There is something magical about tiny harbours transformed with lights. Seeing the harbours, moored boats and pontoons lit up is a special site that is worth a trip, preferably on a cold, frosty evening.

Two of the most beautiful harbours in Cornwall become a twinkling spectacular over the Christmas period when they are decorated for the festive season.Padstow, North Cornwall, Harbour Light switch-on 30th NovemberPadstow Christmas Harbour Lights

Christmas Harbour Lights in Padstow. A magical winter scene, by Peter Levers of Captured Cornwall

Padstow will be turning on its Christmas lights on the first Sunday of Advent, Sunday 30 November at about 6pm . Light displays of Christmas scenes and local traditional themes are built on frames around the harbour, and also on the old buildings and pubs that flank the harbour on three sides.  Bells, robins, a church, steam train and the ever popular old fashioned windmill with turning sails are all likely to feature again this year – although the final display is a secret until the lights go up. The display will be on each day throughout the Christmas period – children of all ages will love the whale and the sea serpent rising out of the dark harbour waters. Padstow hosts a splendid Christmas Festival, and also offers late night shopping, carol singers with the local brass band and a great festive atmosphere that for many, is the start of Christmas. Come and join us this year and get involved in the spirit of Christmas, Padstow style. We have properties in the centre of Padstow, within easy walking distance of all the fun.  If you visit between December 4th – 7th you can meet us at the Padstow Christmas Festival where you can eat great food, watch cookery demonstrations and indulge in some local Christmas shopping.Mousehole, South Cornwall, near Penzance, switch-on 13th DecemberMousehole Harbour Christmas Lights

Mousehole Harbour with the lights on – can you hear the Christmas carols?

Mousehole is a working harbour just a few miles West of Penzance, on the South coast of Cornwall. As its name suggests, it is a tiny, picturesque harbour. Narrow streets and higgeldy-piggeldy cottages form a back drop to a solid harbour wall that has protected fishing boats  for many years.  What Mousehole lacks in size it makes up for in attitude. It is famed for Christmas light displays and festive street music. Join in the festivities on Saturday 13 December at 7.30pm when the great switch on takes place. Mousehole’s Christmas lights always make the news in Cornwall and for many they mark a key part of Christmas that cannot be missed. Expect crowds and packed streets. The dark harbour walls that curve around the tiny port are illuminated with traditional and local scenes. Like Padstow the Christmas lights will include floating displays in the harbour as well as those in the streets. The Christmas lights will be on each evening between 5pm and 11pm from Sunday 14 December 2014 until Saturday 3 January 2015 so you have plenty of opportunities to see them. Why not combine a trip and compare them to Padstow? The two towns are very different and will give you a true feel of what Christmas in Cornwall is all about. Mousehole Harbour is at the foot of a hill and some of the tiny streets are quite steep. Parking is limited so be prepared to leave your car on the outskirts of the village and walk in to experience the magic of a Mousehole Christmas.