Newquay’s St Piran’s Festival 2025: Everything You Need to Know

Published On: 17 February 2025Last Updated: 17 February 2025By CornishStuff

Newquay’s St Piran’s Festival is back for 2025, bringing a packed schedule of events celebrating Cornwall’s heritage, language, music, and food. The festivities kick off in February and continue into March, with activities for all ages.

St Piran’s Day, celebrated on 5th March, is Cornwall’s national day, honouring St Piran, the patron saint of tin miners. Traditionally marked with parades, music, and community gatherings, the day is a proud display of Cornish identity and heritage. Newquay’s St Piran’s Festival extends the celebrations across several days, with events highlighting Cornish culture, language, and traditions.

Storytelling and Language Lessons – 1st March

On Saturday 1st March, the festival continues with:

1:00pm – Stories & Songs at Newquay Library, led by Jo Carter and Oll an Gwella.
2:00pm – Cornish Language (Kernewek) ‘Taster’ Class at the Cornish Gallery (Newquay Museum), led by Liz Carne with Gareth Horner.

Traditional Service and Cookery Competition – 2nd March

Sunday’s programme includes:

10:00am – Bi-lingual Church Service at St Michael’s Church, Newquay, led by Rev. Canon Jane Kneebone. The service will be held in both English and Kernewek.
3:00pm – Traditional Cornish Cookery Competition at Newquay Rowing Club. The famous ‘Egg and Bacon Pie’ competition will see entries submitted by 3:00pm, followed by judging.

Weekend-Long Activities – 1st & 2nd March

Throughout the weekend, visitors can take part in:

Newquay St Piran’s Trail, a fun activity hosted by Visit Newquay. Maps can be collected from Visit Newquay or downloaded from the festival website.

St Piran’s Eve Concert – 4th March

The Great Western Hotel and Steam Bar will host a St Piran’s Eve Concert on Tuesday 4th March featuring:

7:30pm – Oll an Gwella
8:00pm – The Countrymen
9:30pm – Newquay Rowing Club Singers, who will lead the festival’s closing ‘Shout’.

St Piran’s Day Parade & Evening Celebrations – 5th March

St Piran’s Day on Wednesday 5th March will be marked by a grand parade and evening entertainment:

3:30pm – Parade Gathering at Beachfield Avenue Gardens, with a 4:00pm departure. The parade will follow a route through Beach Road, Central Square, Bank Street, Marcus Hill, and end at St Michael’s Church.
4:30pm – Children’s Ceilidh at St Michael’s Church, supported by Oll an Gwella and the U3A Dancers.
7:00pm – Cornish Quiz at The Central Inn.
9:00pm – Trelawny Shout, led by:
- Oll an Gwella at The Central Inn
- Newquay Rowing Club Singers at Newquay Rowing Club