Pink wigs and sea shanties: Falmouth Week 2026 at The Greenbank

A wave of pink wigs will set off along the Falmouth waterfront at 7pm on Friday 7th August, and that is only the opening act. The Greenbank and The Falmouth have lined up a full week of fundraising, live music and harbourside events for Falmouth Week 2026, and the two sister hotels intend to sit right at the centre of it.

The programme runs from the Pink Wig Mermaid March and a charity afternoon tea through to sea shanties, soul music, the Falmouth Air Show and a rare solar eclipse.

Pink wigs and a waterfront pre-party

The week begins with the return of the Pink Wig Mermaid March in aid of The Mermaid Centre at Royal Cornwall Hospital, an event The Greenbank has supported for several years.

Before the march sets off at 7pm, walkers are invited to gather at The Greenbank’s Pink Wig Pre-Party in the waterfront marquee looking out over the River Fal. There will be loaded fries and themed cocktails and mocktails, with 50% of all Pink Wig drinks sales and 10% of all bar sales going to The Mermaid Centre. That money helps fund equipment, training, facilities and the extras that improve patient care beyond what the NHS provides.

The march is now organised by Royal Cornwall Hospitals Charity, carrying on the event first founded by Sally Hicks-Wood in 2009. People walk in support of a loved one, in memory of someone special, or simply to help. Since 2023, The Greenbank’s pre-party alone has raised more than £4,500 for The Mermaid Centre, and the hotel is hoping to push the total higher this year.

The fundraising keeps going across the weekend. From 7th to 9th August, The Greenbank is serving a Pink Afternoon Tea at £25 per person, with handcrafted sweet and savoury treats and £5 from every portion donated to The Mermaid Centre.

“Falmouth Week is one of the highlights of our calendar and we’re incredibly proud to play a part in bringing the community together,” said Matt Garland, General Manager at The Greenbank. “From supporting the Pink Wig Mermaid March and The Mermaid Centre to welcoming guests for live music, the Air Show and fireworks, it’s a fantastic week that showcases everything we love about Falmouth while raising money for an incredible local cause.”

Shanties, skylines and an eclipse

Midweek, the action moves along the water to The Falmouth. On Wednesday 12th August the hotel hosts Shanties & Skylines, a free evening of live music, local food and drink and front-row views of the Falmouth Air Show. It also offers one of Cornwall’s better spots to watch the solar eclipse.

Soul and fireworks to finish

The celebrations wind up back at The Greenbank later in the week, when Falmouth Soul Sensation brings classic soul to the waterfront marquee. The evening ends with the Falmouth Week fireworks lighting up the harbour.

Both hotels are part of the Cornwall Hotel Collection, and across the week they will be welcoming locals and visitors to a run of fundraising, live entertainment and waterfront events. The wigs come out first.