Falmouth Sea Shanty Festival strikes Gold at Cornwall Tourism Awards

Every June, Falmouth hands its quaysides over to songs of the sea. This week, the town got something back for it.

The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival has won Gold for Tourism Event/Festival of the Year at the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2026. The award was presented at the ceremony on Thursday 12 November, which recognises the very best of Cornwall’s visitor economy.

📷Richard Gates and Keren Cooksey collecting award from category sponsor

A festival that belongs to the whole town

Each June, the festival fills Falmouth‘s pubs, quaysides and streets with songs of the sea, welcoming shanty groups and audiences alike.

It is delivered every year by a passionate and dedicated committee. Their hard work is what makes an event of this scale possible.

The festival team has thanked everyone who shares in the success. That means the shanty groups who travel to be there, the festival’s generous sponsors, the venues and businesses who open their doors, and the audiences who sing along. The team says the Sea Shanty Festival belongs to the whole town, so this recognition belongs to Falmouth too.

📷Hayley Nicholson collecting Unsung Hero award

An Unsung Hero award for Hayley Nicholson

There was a further surprise on the night.

Hayley Nicholson, Marketing & Events Officer at Falmouth Town Team, received an award in the Unsung Hero category for her hard work and dedication to the festival.

“A win for the whole of Falmouth”

Richard Gates, Chair of the Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival committee, said: “To win Gold is a wonderful moment for everyone involved in the festival. Our committee works tirelessly all year to bring it together, and it simply wouldn’t happen without the shanty groups, sponsors, venues and audiences who support us.

“We’re also thrilled for Hayley, whose Unsung Hero award is richly deserved. This is a win for the whole of Falmouth.”

📷Cornwall Tourism Award outside Truro Cathedral

Another award could follow

The celebrations may not end there. The festival has also been shortlisted for Best Visitor Experience at the Access All Areas Awards 2026, with its entry Falmouth: Where the town becomes the venue.

Winners will be announced on 8 December.

📷Tim Vigus, Keren Cooksey, Hayley Nicholson and Richard Gates with Gold award