Cornwall Christmas Fair at Eden Project turns 35 this November

Fairy lights are going back up in the Biomes, and Rodda’s is already sorting through the pre-loved jumper rail again, because Cornwall’s biggest charity Christmas market is heading back to St Austell for its 35th year.

📷Credit: Rob Donald

Two days under the illuminated Biomes

For two days this November, Wednesday 18 and Thursday 19, the Eden Project will once again host the Cornwall Christmas Fair, billed as Cornwall’s most vibrant Christmas event with a feel-good difference. It is organised entirely by volunteers and made possible by a list of generous sponsors, and it brings together shopping, food and drink, and seasonal entertainment while raising money for Cornwall Community Foundation.

Fair goers can browse for festive gifts and treats knowing the money they spend is going toward supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Thanks to continued sponsor support, Eden’s famous Biomes will be lit up throughout the Fair, giving shoppers a sparkling preview of Eden’s seasonal lights experience as a backdrop to the stalls.

📷Credit: Rob Donald

An evening of supper, cocktails and a Rock Choir

Wednesday 18 November is the Preview & Shopping Evening, running from 5pm to 9pm. Tickets include supper in the Mediterranean Biome and a Cornwall Christmas Fair Cocktail Party sponsored by historic building contractors Ilex, with performances from Rock Choir through the evening.

📷Credit: Toby Weller

Free entry and a soup or pasty on the Thursday

Thursday 19 November is the main Fair Day, open from 10am to 4pm. Tickets for the day include free entry to Eden Project itself and a soup or pasty lunch, on top of a full day of stalls, food and drink, and entertainment.

📷Christmas jumpers committee. Credit: Toby Weller

Pre-loved jumpers and other festive extras

Rodda’s Pre-loved Christmas Jumper stall makes its return this year with the addition of ski wear, so anyone after a bargain festive outfit has more to dig through. There’s also an exclusive St Eval Candle Company scented Christmas candle, sponsored by Lillicrap Chilcott, with all proceeds going straight into the charity fund.

35 years and counting for Cornwall’s communities

Over its 35 years, the Cornwall Christmas Fair has raised more than £1.1 million for charitable causes, money that helps grassroots organisations tackle poverty, isolation and disadvantage across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. With economic pressures continuing to bite for many, demand for support through Cornwall Community Foundation’s grants programmes remains high, which makes events like this one more important than ever.

Pix Ashworth and Kitty Galsworthy, Co-Chairs of Cornwall Christmas Fair, said: “The Cornwall Christmas Fair is much more than a fundraising event. It’s a whole day out or a whole evening out, bringing together great shopping, fantastic food, festive entertainment and the opportunity to catch up with friends. It really showcases the incredible community spirit that exists across Cornwall.”

“Every ticket purchased, every raffle ticket sold and every pound spent at the Fair helps make a real difference to people who need support most.”

Tickets, parking and the sponsors who make it happen

Tickets are on sale now. The Wednesday Preview & Shopping Evening costs £34 and includes supper and a glass of wine on arrival. Thursday’s Day Fair costs £22 and includes lunch with a glass of wine and free admission to Eden Project. VIP parking, guaranteeing a spot in the Orange 3 car park just above the Eden Project Visitor Centre, is available for £10 per car.

The Fair would not happen without its sponsors and partners: Eden Project, Evelyn Partners, Ilex, Lillicrap Chilcott, Rodda’s, Samworth Brothers Cornwall, Wildanet, Colwith Farm Distillery, Coodes Solicitors, Seasalt Cornwall, PKF Francis Clark, Digital Natives, Impress51, Jarrang, St Austell Printing Company, Wild Card, Trevornick, James Kittow, The Old Ship Hotel and Truro High School.

📷Credit: Toby Weller