What's on at Cornwall's tourist attractions this Christmas?
Christmas in Cornwall is a magical time of year. Harbours, towns, and villages will be illuminated with twinkling lights, there is a host of festive markets to choose from and many of our top visitor attractions will be hosting events that will really make you feel festive.
The team at Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions have put together a roundup of the Christmas events that will be taking place in December 2021.
Head over to their website at www.bestdaysoutcornwall.co.uk for more information on these events.
Santa Special Trains return to Bodmin & Wenford Railway
Bodmin & Wenford Railway’s popular Christmas trains are making a return to the heritage steam railway, Cornwall’s only full-sized railway still operated by steam locomotives.
The Santa Special trains will once again be steaming from Bodmin General on selected dates throughout December in the run up to Christmas.
Visitors to the station will be greeted by Santa’s elves, before boarding the steam train to Bodmin Parkway. Whilst aboard the train children will have the chance to write their list to Santa before returning to Bodmin General.
Once back at the main station children will have the opportunity to do some Christmas themed activities before they visit Santa in his unique Victorian coach. Each child will receive an age-appropriate gift and the opportunity to have their photo taken with Santa.
Santa Specials will be running on 4-5 December, 11-12 December, and 17-24 December.
Tickets must be booked in advance..
Experience the Magic of Christmas at the Eden Project
Don't miss the magic of Christmas at Eden. Discover their twinkling Med Biome and fill up on festive cheer with a Big Band playing all your seasonal favourites. Wander round the enchanting Rainforest which will be awash in colourful lighting and marvel at their beautiful, illuminated waterfall.
Timed entry tickets for Christmas and beyond (until 31 January) are now on sale. Plus, their glittering ice rink is available to book timed sessions from October 2021 to February 2022.
Father Christmas visits The Lost Gardens of Heligan
The Heligan team are welcoming back Father Christmas and his team of Elves to The Lost Gardens.
The Lost Gardens provide the most magical and perfect setting for a Christmas experience, especially for the annual visit to meet Father Christmas. As you explore The Gardens on your way to your visit, don’t forget to stop in The Melon Yard to write your letter to Father Christmas…. he really does enjoy reading your thoughtful letters!
You and your family will then be welcomed to the exclusive Festive Reserve Yard within The Gardens, where you will start to prepare for your special visit. Here the Team will ensure you get into the Christmas spirit, with music, Christmas crackers, and festive crafts, and don’t forget your complimentary toasted marshmallows to toast over the warming fire. As anticipation builds you will be escorted by The Head elf to meet Father Christmas in the magical cosy setting of the Head Gardeners Office.
Each child will be gifted a small traditional children’s present to remember their visit to Father Christmas by, along with Christmas magic and traditional that reconnects you to the heart and true meaning of Christmas.
Dates: Tickets to visit Father Christmas available from 10am-3.30pm
Saturday 11 & Sunday 12 December
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 December
Monday 20, Tuesday 21, Wednesday 22, Thursday 23 December
*Christmas Eve 10am-1pm
Heligan Night Garden
Heligan will also be hosting their annual light show, Heligan Night Garden. Enjoy an enchanting lantern experience set amidst the atmospheric Lost Gardens.
After last year’s event sold out, Heligan have extended the experience to include additional dates for 2021/22. 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.
Lanterns and Lights at National Maritime Museum Cornwall
From beautifully lit vessels to merry Makes and Takes and starry trails, Christmas at the Museum takes on the theme of Lanterns and Lights with a magical nautical twist. Decked in festive lights and sparkly stars, traditional wooden boats carry Christmas cheer. Using the Flying Flotilla, hung high from the Museum’s ceiling, the boats are lit with subtle ocean-coloured hues and set amongst glistening star bursts.
Magical Make and Takes happening Saturday 18 December 2021 – Sunday 2 January 2022, 12pm – 3.30pm.
Nostalgic fun at Lappa Valley – NOW SOLD OUT
Enjoy the wonder and magic of Lappa Valley at Christmas time. Meet Father Christmas in his grotto, where there is a present for every child. Take a nostalgic steam train ride through the wooded valley into Lappa and find lots of festive fun.
Dates for 2021 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21 - 24 December – please note all dates are now sold out.
Feeling festive with the National Trust in Cornwall
Father Christmas in the stables at Trelissick
Sat 4 and Sun 5, Sat 11 and Sun 12 and Sat 18 and Sun 19 December, 10.15am - 4.15pm (bookable time slots throughout the day)
Join Father Christmas as he returns to Trelissick to entertain families with his festive tales in the stables. Children can collect a small gift at the end of the story.
Child ticket £6, Adult ticket £2. Normal admission charges apply, free to National Trust members.
Pre-booking is essential due to limited availability. Visit the website to book.
Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander trail at Trelissick
Sat 4 December - Mon 3 January (excluding 25 and 26 December), 10am - 3:30pm
This winter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Trelissick on the Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail. Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand.
£2 per trail. Normal admission charges apply, free to National Trust members.
Christmas at Trerice
December opening times, Sat 4 - Sun 5 December and Sat 11 - Thurs 23 December, 11am - 4pm
Warm yourself by the fire and embrace the festive spirit in the house decorated for Christmas. In the hayloft, help us decorate the Christmas tree by writing your wish for Christmas and the New Year on a paper star and then hang it among the branches and lights. Enjoy hot drinks, delicious bakes, and festive treats in the barn tea-room. The shop has plenty of gifts on offer as well as a range of Christmas decorations and treats.
Percy the Park Keeper’s winter wander trail at Trerice
Sat 4 - Sun 5 December and Sat 11 - Thurs 23 December, 11am - 3pm
This winter, treat your little ones to a world of adventures at Trerice on the Percy the Park Keeper's winter wander trail. Join in the fun with Percy and his animal friends and give nature a helping hand.
£2 per trail. Normal admission charges apply, free to National Trust members.
Winter festivities at Healey’s Cornish Cyder Farm
Returning for a 5th year, come to the farm this winter for festivities full of flavour. On select weekends in November and December, Healeys transform the farm into a fairytale world of mulled cyder and hearty food, Christmas songs, and crafts. Bring family, friends, and a healthy appetite, for a taste of authentic Healeys Christmas spirit.
Every weekend from Saturday 13 November until Sunday 19 December 2021*
Fairy lights, twinkling around our 80-year-old cobbled courtyard. The scent of spruce and spice all around. Christmas songs are on the air. On select weekends in November & December, the team transform the farm into a fairytale world of mulled cyder and hearty food, Christmas songs, and crafts. Bring family, friends, and a healthy appetite, for a taste of authentic Healeys Christmas spirit.
Christmas Craft Market – 9am – 5pm
The Naughty Elf’s Story Corner – 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Exclusive tastings of our brand new sparkling wine, Tresor – 1pm
Christmas Spirit Talk – 2pm
Tunnel of Lights: Artic Adventure at the Shipwreck Treasure Museum
Join an immersive frozen adventure through the Shipwreck Treasure Museum’s underground tunnels as it is transformed into a sparkling wonderland of ice.
Follow the footsteps of Polar Explorers as you discover glittering waterfalls, giant icebergs, and frozen shipwrecks. Building on the success of the hugely popular Tunnel of Lights in 2020, the event returns for the Autumn season with thousands of lights, atmospheric Arctic soundscapes and a magical journey through a polar world.
Running from 1 December – 9 January
Trebah Garden of Lights
This Christmas season join a magical lantern procession on an intimate journey through Trebah to firelit festivities on the beach. Experience the garden at night; navigate the sub-tropical pathways by the warm glow of your own handcrafted lantern and watch mesmerising flames and reflections on the shoreline.
Running from 4-11 December.
Celebrate the start of the festive season at Tate St Ives
Be the first to see the Tate St Ives 2021 Winter Light Commission, AVIARY by artist Sammy Lee, which projects flocks of computer-generated birds onto the domed ceiling of the gallery’s entrance loggia. Discover KEMENETH, a new work by artist Adam James in collaboration with St Ives communities presented at the gallery and around St Ives.
Enjoy the exhibitions alongside pop-up talks, performance, film, and online events. This special programme is for all ages, including activities for families and young people.
Wheal Martyn Festive Family Fun Day
A day full of festive activities in the grounds! Christmas arts & crafts, storytelling, local choirs, Family Forest School, our Reindeer Trail and Community Christmas Trees, plus tasty festive treats in the café. Christmas Jumpers and fancy dress!
Date: Sunday 12 December 10am – 4pm
Price: £10.50 adults £6 children, £3 for annual pass holders
Wheal Martyn Reindeer Trail and Community Christmas Trees
Date: 1 December to 23 December, 10am to 4pm
Explore Wheal Martyn’s historic grounds and woodland trails to spot our woodland crafted reindeer, and inside, discover and vote for the best dressed Community Christmas Tree in our Discovery Centre. Included with normal Museum Entry/Annual Pass
Keep checking the Cornwall Association of Tourist Attractions website at www.bestdaysoutcornwall.co.uk as they will continue to add events throughout the next few weeks!