Be Newquay Festival Shines Bright: Moonlit Performances, Lanterns, and Festive Cheer Await

The Be Newquay Festival, a month-long celebration of creativity and community, brought a mesmerising weekend to the town from 15th to 17th November, captivating audiences with performances, workshops, and cultural activities.

A Magical Weekend Under the Moon

The festivities began on Friday with To The Moon & Back, an immersive performance blending dance, theatre, sound installations, and projection. This site-specific show, created by Grit Productions, guided audiences through Newquay’s town centre, stopping at key locations to unveil its tale. Audience members donned headphones to experience the story in an intimate and engaging way, leaving spectators “mesmerised with incredible storytelling” during the three weekend performances.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the Grit Productions team and community groups who made this epic performance possible.

Workshops and Creative Adventures

Saturday offered hands-on workshops, including a pottery session at Tor Pottery, where attendees crafted their ideal mugs through clay hand-building techniques. Meanwhile, Blystra Arts welcomed nearly 200 participants to Trenance Cottages for a free Community Lantern Making workshop, preparing for the upcoming Lantern Parade.

Down by South Fistral, Newquay Marine Group and Newquay Wild Activities hosted a fully booked Rockpool Experience, exploring the coastal ecosystem where the land meets the sea. At the Headland Hotel, artist Andy Pearce led the first Sip & Sketch Workshop, blending traditional Cornish cream tea with mindful sketching under his guidance.

Booker Prize-nominated author Wyl Menmuir partnered with Clemo Books to deliver a windswept writing workshop on Fistral Beach, encouraging writers to draw creative inspiration from the natural landscape.

A Show-Stopping Finale

The weekend concluded with Turk(ish), a captivating performance by Poppy Plowman combining tightwire and hair-hanging with humour and live music. Staged at St Michael’s Church, the sold-out show left audiences enthralled against the stunning backdrop of this iconic venue.

Looking Ahead: Festive Cheer and Creative Activities

The festival continues from 22nd to 24th November with highlights including the Trenance Trees and Tales Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights Switch On. The event, on Friday at 6pm, invites the community to celebrate with carol singing, storytelling, and light displays, featuring illuminated creations from local schoolchildren and community members.

Saturday offers another Sip & Sketch session with Andy Pearce at the Headland Hotel (sold out, but visitors can stop by his gallery). Alternatively, attendees can explore Tension and Trauma Releasing Exercises (TRE) paired with a Sound Bath at A State of Mind Studio from 2pm to 4pm.

The Grand Finale: ALMA Winter Arts Weekend

The Be Newquay Festival concludes with the ALMA Winter Arts Weekend, beginning 29th November. The weekend includes festive activities such as an organ recital and mulled wine at St Michael’s Church, community flag-making workshops, storytelling sessions, seaweed pressing, and more. Details for ALMA events are available on Cornwall 365.

Plan Your Visit

Most events require tickets, even when free, due to limited spaces. Bookings can be made via the Be Newquay Festival website, which also lists the full line-up. Updates are shared on the festival’s Instagram account.

Supporting Newquay’s Year-Round Economy

The Be Newquay Festival is part of Cornwall Council’s Experience Newquay project, funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. The £365,426 investment aims to bolster Newquay’s visitor economy by spotlighting its low season and promoting sustainable engagement year-round.

For more information, visit Be Newquay Festival.