Christmas in Cornwall: What’s happening for families this holiday and into the new year

Christmas in Cornwall: What’s happening for families this holiday and into the new year

There’s so much happening for families in Cornwall this Christmas. See our what’s on calendar below and our digital edition at the bottom of the page to find out more:

Mondays Minnows Tales, NMMC, Falmouth, term time, drop-in 11 to 11.30am, stories, songs and rhymes for under 5s, free, adults free with annual pass Free Baby & Parent sessions, Penlee House, Penzance, fortnightly (18 Oct, 1, 15 & 29 Nov) 10 to 11.30am, penleehouse.org.uk 01736 363625
Mondays, Thursdays & FridaysZumbini & Zumba® Kids, Embrace Dance Fitness, Penryn, Zumbini for toddlers; Zumba® Kids Jr rockin’, high-energy dance for 4 to 6yrs; Zumba® Kids for 7 to 11yrs, based on Zumba® choreography, dates & times see www.embracedancefitness.co.uk 01326 378730 hello@embracedancefitness.co.uk
TuesdaysFree Pre-schooler sessions, Penlee House, Penzance, fortnightly (12 & 26 Oct, 9 & 23 Nov) 1 to 2.30pm
WednesdaysNature Bugs, Potager Gardens, Constantine, messy play, nature-activities for toddlers, 01326 341258
SaturdaysFree Arty Afternoons, Penlee House, Penzance, 2.30 to 3.30pm Free Family Art Workshops, Falmouth Art Gallery, drop-in 10 am to 1pm 
to 23 DecDiscovering42: Reimagining Reality, Narisa Hall, Bodmin, explore weird & wonderful quirks of science along surreal passageways & interactive exhibits, free/ donations welcome! www.discovering42.co.uk
To Feb 2022Eden’s glittering ice rink is back! Sunday mornings & holidays: family fun skates include free use of skating aids, see www.edenproject.com
19 NovFestive Friday & Christmas lights switch-on, Truro, Father Christmas parade, markets & entertainment – the fun starts from 3pm. See www.visittruro.org.uk Friday night Kids’ Disco, Embrace Dance Fitness, Penryn, £7 per child. 5.15 to 6.15pm for 5 to 7yrs.  6.30 to 7.30pm for 8 to 11yrs. 01326 378730 hello@embracedancefitness.co.uk
20 Nov to  2 JanHeligan Night Garden, enchanting lantern experience in the atmospheric Lost Gardens , 12 Days of Christmas trail, Christmas donkeys (from 18 Dec). pre-book all tickets
From  24 NovBIG Christmas Markets & Wednesdays Late Night Shopping, Truro, with street food in Boscawen St from 4pm & main shopping streets traffic-free 3 to 9pm. Every Wed to Sun until 24 Dec: Truro Farmer’s BIG Christmas Market
26 Nov to  9 JanAVIARY, Tate St Ives, light project by Sammy Lee flocks of computer-generated birds, see page 6, under 19s free & £5 Locals Annual Pass!!
Sats & Sun from 27Creative workshops, The Box, Plymouth, make books, candle holders, cards, gift tags, wrapping paper, marbling paper & decorationsjust £5, pre-book
27 Nov to  2 JanChristmas Adventure Quest, Pendennis Castle, follow the trail to find clues dotted around the castle, discover fun facts & festive folklore along the way. Search ‘Events at Pendennis Castle’ and pre-book
1 to 23 DecChristmas at Wheal Martyn, St Austell, woodland crafted reindeer and trails in the grounds, inside –  decorated Christmas trees, free with entry. 4 & 5 Dec: Bring your dogs as reindeer and children as elves
1 Dec to  2 JanCinderella, Hall for Cornwall, a spectacular festive treat at the newly transformed Hall for Cornwall, 01872 262466
1 Dec to  9 JanTunnel of Lights – Christmas Arctic Adventure, Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown, the underground tunnels transformed with thousands of lights & atmospheric Arctic sounds  www.shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk 01726 69897
1 Dec to  22 JanThe Man Who Wanted to be a Penguin, Theatre Royal Plymouth, an extraordinary explorer learns Penguin but when he arrives at the Antarctic will the penguins’ reception be frosty?! With playful energy, puppetry, music, and song, for all the family, age 3+. 01752 267222
3 to 30 DecChristmas at the Eden Project, twinkling Med Biome, live music, enchantingly lit Rainforest, skating on the ice rink. 3 to 24 Dec: meet Father Christmas and his festive elves.  Pre-book https://www.edenproject.com (additional costs for Santa & skating)
18 to 24 DecChristmas at Dairyland Farm Park, spectacular light display, singing Reindeer, Santa’s elves, craft workshop, storytime, all free with entry, pre-book tickets; visit Santa (£15 inc park entry & gift)  www.dairylandfarmpark.com
8 to 24 DecThe Christmas Mouse, Stiltskin’s Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport, under 5s’ show. stiltskin.org.uk
11 to 24 DecThe Mousehole Cat, Solomon Browne Memorial Hall, Mousehole, magical puppet and live action production of this heart-warming story, see page 11 The Magic Lantern & The Story Thief, Stiltskin’s Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport, a fantastical family show. stiltskin.org.uk
13 to 24 DecGrimm & Grimmer, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Gonzo Moose’s comedy adventure full of hilarious slapstick, verbal wit, live music and a sensational death-defying finale. Age 8+. 01752 267222
15 & 22 DecJack Frost 5: Lost in Time, Coppice Theatre, 5pm & 6.30pm: Victoria Gardens, Truro
17 Dec to  15 JanAladdin, Theatre Royal Plymouth, with Joe Pasquale. Expect flying carpets, a wish-granting genie, an evil sorcerer and a lamp-full of laughs. 01752 267222
18 Dec to  2 JanLanterns and Lights, NMMC, Falmouth, beautifully lit vessels, merry Make and Takes & starry trails with a magical nautical twist, all free with entry (pay once & get in free for a year), see page 14
19 to 24 DecSanta is coming! Newquay Zoo, see page 2, pre-book on www.newquayzoo.org.uk
20 DecChristmas Fancy Dress Disco Party, Raze the Roof, Penryn, 6 to 9pm, meet Santa, disco, best dressed prizes & games, £12 inc Yule dogs, berry juice & a gift from Santa, adults free, www.razevr.fun/book/
20 to 22David Mynne – A Christmas Carol, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, (see 4 & 5 Dec) 01736 810181
20 to 23,  27 to 30 Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates, KidzRUs, St Ives Theatre, 2 & 6.30pm, kidzrus.net 01736 797007
21 DecJack Frost 5: Lost in Time, Coppice Theatre, 11am & 1pm: Kresen Kernow, Redruth, see 3 & 5 Dec
27 DecChristmas. Time. The Alverton, Truro, yuletide comedy by Near-ta Theatre. 3pm, 01872 276633
29 to  31 DecThe Piskie in the Garden, Minack Theatre, Porthcurno, 11am, John Brolly’s new one-man show about a hapless gardener who is outwitted by the piskies, with fairy magic, puppets and music. 01736 810181
31 DecNew Year’s Fireworks Truro: for families at 7.30pm then at Midnight. See www.visittruro.org.uk
1 JanIn Aid of Children’s Hospice Southwest, The Lost Gardens of Heligan will donate all entrance fees for the day to the charity.