Cornwall’s Christmas Light Switch-Ons 2025: Which Will You Visit This Year?

Christmas in Cornwall is one of the highlights of the year, and the festive lights are a big part of what makes the season feel so magical. From famous harbour displays to cosy village celebrations, Christmas light switch-ons are a tradition that draw thousands of people across Cornwall every November and December. Families come out for lantern parades, choirs, markets, fireworks and the moment the lights finally flick on and transform each town for the winter.

If you’re planning Christmas days out in Cornwall for 2025, this guide brings together all the confirmed Christmas light switch-on dates across the county. Whether you want a big evening of entertainment with live music and fireworks, a coastal celebration by the harbour or a quiet village display filled with community spirit, you’ll find every key event listed here. This is one of the most comprehensive roundups of Christmas lights in Cornwall for 2025, making it easier to plan where to go, what to see and which festive evenings you don’t want to miss.

Read on for full details of Christmas light switch-ons in Mousehole, Falmouth, St Ives, Padstow, Newquay, Looe, Bodmin, Mevagissey, Angarrack, Cadgwith, Liskeard, St Austell and more.

Mousehole Christmas Lights

Thursday 11th December
Lights on daily from 11th December to 6th January, 5pm to 10pm

Mousehole’s Christmas lights are one of Cornwall’s most iconic festive displays. For 2025, the lights will shine every evening from 11th December through to 6th January, lighting up the harbour and village lanes in a way that feels truly magical.

There is no switch-on ceremony on the 11th, as has been the case since 2019. Instead, the lights will begin to come on from 5pm onwards, with no formal programme. Visitors can explore the village at their own pace, enjoy the reflections on the water and settle in for a drink or meal afterwards.

On 19th December, all lights will be switched off at 8pm, except for the Island Cross, the Cross and Angels and the Lifeboat Station cross. This marks the annual remembrance of the Penlee Lifeboat disaster, a moment held with deep respect in the community.

Mousehole remains a classic Cornish Christmas experience and is well worth visiting, whether it’s your first time or part of your yearly tradition.

Falmouth Christmas Lights

Thursday 27th November, 7pm

Falmouth never does Christmas quietly. The town fills with live music and carols before a bright and colourful parade sets off from Events Square. Local school children perform either side of the main event, adding to the excitement.

The lights are switched on at 7pm on the Moor by a community nominee chosen by residents. With churros and other street food available, it’s a lively and cheerful way to kick off the festive season.

Falmouth has chosen its guest of honour for this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-on and the community has made its feelings clear. Mr Danny Trick will take centre stage, following an outpouring of nominations celebrating his commitment to the town.

Event schedule

5.15pm – Sing Choir opens the evening with festive songs on The Moor stage.
5.40pm – The Falmouth Christmas Parade, led by Councillor Alan Jewell, leaves Events Square. Up to fourteen illuminated festive tractors, along with local schools, dance groups and community organisations, will travel through the town to The Moor.
6.15pm – Local primary school choirs perform Christmas songs and carols.
7.00pm – The Christmas lights are switched on by Danny, joined by his family, friends and the Falmouth Marine Band.
7.05pm – A performance from The Oggymen rounds off the evening.

Bodmin Lights Up

Friday 28th November, 6.30pm

Bodmin’s celebration is packed with entertainment from start to finish. Street performers, music, dancing and a Christmas market fill the town, with fairground rides at Priory Car Park adding to the fun.

A festive procession leads into the switch-on, followed by late-night shopping and mulled wine. The whole evening has a warm community feel and plenty to keep people out enjoying themselves.

St Ives Christmas Lights

Friday 5th December, 6pm

St Ives offers one of Cornwall’s most memorable switch-ons thanks to Santa’s dramatic arrival by lifeboat at 6pm.

He’s greeted by crowds along the harbour before heading to Royal Square to switch on the lights. The town fills with carols, dancing and music from the town band, and this year’s Wicked-inspired theme brings splashes of pink and green to the celebrations.

It’s always a busy night, packed with character and festive charm.

Newquay Christmas Lights

Friday 28th November, 6:45pm

Newquay’s event fills the afternoon and evening with family activities, live music, carols, dancing and plenty of stalls selling gifts, food and drink. Children love the Christmas market and the life-size snow globe set up for festive photos.

The lights are switched on at 6:45pm at the Killacourt, followed by a firework display across the town. With restaurants and bars nearby, most visitors stay on afterwards to round off the night.

Event key details

3:00pm – Christmas Market & Bar opens, offering festive shopping and seasonal refreshments
3:30pm – Oll an Gwella carol singing fills the air with traditional Christmas melodies
4:30pm – Wicked Tribute takes the Bandstand stage
5:40pm – Bubbles the Pixie entertains families with festive fun
6:30pm – Radio Newquay joins the Mayor on stage to count down to the main event
6:45pm – The magical moment arrives: Light Switch On followed by a dazzling fireworks display over Killacourt
6:50pm – Forever Swift – Taylor Swift Tribute closes the evening with chart topping hits
9:00pm – Christmas Market and Bar close

Mevagissey Christmas Lights

Saturday 29th November, from 4pm

Mevagissey’s harbour is a picture-perfect setting for its annual lights. From 4pm, visitors can enjoy entertainment, food and drink, all with a strong sense of community spirit.

Santa arrives by boat before the lights switch on at around 6pm, illuminating the harbour in colourful reflections. It’s a cosy and welcoming event, and many stay on in the village pubs afterwards. Parking is limited, so early arrival or car sharing is recommended.

Cadgwith Christmas Lights

Saturday 6th December

Cadgwith’s switch-on is small, friendly and full of character. This unspoilt fishing village offers a peaceful, traditional evening, with many visitors heading to the Cadgwith Cove Inn afterwards for a warm drink. It’s Christmas in its simplest, most charming form. Parade with your lanterns from the granite posts 5:30pm. Live music from Georgia Lewis, carols, bar with festive treats, grotto with Gather Christmas and a festive raffle.

Angarrack Christmas Lights

Saturday 6th December

Angarrack is famous for its large, impressive displays, many of which depict scenes from the Twelve Days of Christmas. Visitors love exploring the village lanes and spotting all twelve designs, along with the reindeer and other glowing creations.

It’s a strong community event, with residents putting in huge effort each year to transform the village into a winter wonderland.

They will be on from Saturday 6th December until Monday 5th January, 5.30 -10pm every night.

Padstow Christmas Lights

Saturday 29th November

Padstow’s Christmas lights add even more charm to its already iconic harbour. The switch-on takes place around Market Place and Duke Street, with more displays running along the waterfront.

A centrepiece is the Tree of Lights, covered in messages and dedications from the local community. The switch-on forms part of Nadelik Lowen, a Cornish Christmas celebration including local stalls and free fairground rides. With everything from cosy inns to Michelin-recommended restaurants nearby, it’s a great place to spend the evening.

Looe Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights

Friday 28th November

Looe’s festive night is one of the most detailed programmes in Cornwall, and the 2025 schedule is packed from start to finish.

6:10pm – Lantern parade participants meet outside Looe Library and Community Hub
6:20pm – Parade starts from Millpool, crossing the bridge to the seafront
7pm – Live music begins on the seafront
7:20pm – Santa arrives
7:30pm – Christmas light switch-on
7:32pm – Fireworks and evening entertainment at the seafront

It’s a brilliant family evening with colour, music and a great atmosphere. The fireworks over the water are always a highlight.

St Austell Christmas Light Switch-On

Saturday 29th November, 11am to 6pm (switch-on at 5pm)

St Austell hosts a full day of entertainment, starting with live performances in Alymer Square. The programme includes NoteAbility, Carclaze Voices, the Town Band, Esther and Boogie Juice across the day.

Holy Trinity Church offers a Winter Wonderland, and the Market House hosts stalls and a free Santa’s Grotto. Families can also enjoy free rides, a face painter and a balloon modeller between 1pm and 5pm. The lights are switched on at 5pm. Timings may change depending on weather.

Our Christmas Light Switch-on 12 pm – 6 pm, with the light switch on at 5 pm.

This FREE event is sponsored by KEPAK Recruitment, Bodmin    https://uk.indeed.com/cmp/Kepak-Group/jobs

Live entertainment in Alymer Square

1100 – 1300	NoteAbility & Carclaze Voices
1300 – 1500	Town Band
1500 – 1530	Esther
1530 – 1630	Boogie Juice
1630 – 1700	Switch-on Rewind
1700 – 1800	Boogie Juice

Winter Wonderland, Holy Trinity Church

Christmas at the Market House, Stalls,  Santa’s Grotto (FREE)

Christmas Street Market – Fore Street & White River

Street Entertainment

Free Children’s Ride – South Square

Free Face Painter and Balloon Modeller 1 PM – 5 PM

The programme may be subject to weather/change at short notice.

Liskeard Cornish Christmas and Liskeard Lights Up

Saturday 29th November, procession from 5.30pm, switch-on around 6.10pm

Liskeard’s evening begins with the lively Cavalcade of Nonsense lantern parade, starting from the Cattle Market and looping through the main streets.

Music follows at around 5.50pm before the lights switch on at 6.10pm. Fireworks and a circus performance from Rainbow Circus CIC continue the night’s entertainment. Accessible areas and quiet spaces are available at the Library, Museum and Public Hall. Food vendors serve hot meals throughout the evening.

Planning Your Festive Adventures

Cornwall’s lights stay up throughout December and into January, so there’s plenty of time to enjoy the displays even if you can’t make the switch-ons themselves.

If we’ve missed an event that should be on this list, please email editor@cornishstuff.com and we’ll add it.

You can also check out our full guide to Christmas Markets in Cornwall, which is packed with festive days out across the county.