The streets of Penzance glowed with torchlight on Tuesday evening as one of Cornwall’s oldest midsummer traditions returned. With temperatures rising across the country, fire filled the town centre as people took part in the St John’s Eve Torchlit Procession, marking midsummer as part of the week-long Golowan Festival.
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
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A procession through the heart of town
The Torchlit Procession is one of the oldest and most atmospheric traditions of the festival. Carrying flaming torches, it set off from the top of Chapel Street at dusk, led by the Golowan Band and met by Penzance’s summer ‘oss, Penglaz.
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
Thirty-six years since the revival
This year is the 36th since the festival’s revival. The ancient Feast of St John midsummer celebrations stopped happening in Penzance at the end of the 19th century. The tradition was brought back in 1991 as a one-day event, Mazey Day.
With the continuing support of Penzance Council, Golowan has grown into a week-long festival. Mazey Day still sits at its heart and now draws tens of thousands of people to the town.
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
This year’s theme: Forever Flying High
The theme for 2026 is “Forever Flying High”, celebrating everything that soars above Penzance. That runs from seabirds over Mounts Bay to Cornish sky spirits and bold visions of future flight.
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
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Mazey Day on Saturday
With slightly cooler temperatures forecast, the main day of the festival takes place on Saturday 27 June. Parades at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm will bring together hundreds of participants from schools and community groups, showing off their giant wicker models to the tune of marching bands.
Alongside the parades, street entertainment and stalls, this year sees the return of a festival area in Penlee Park. There will be entertainment and activities for all ages, food stalls, a bar, craft stalls and the Tree Lounge, a hang out space for young people organised by PZN Youth.
Penzance Council supports Golowan through partnership and funding of Golowan Festival CIC, who won the tender to run the festival and is contracted to deliver it until 2027.
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
📷St John's Eve Torchlit Procession celebrates midsummer on Tuesday 23 June as part of Golowan Festival in Penzance. Photo by Penzance Council
