A Christmas Preview: The festive season kicks off in November

The six weeks leading up to Christmas are when everything clicks into place in Cornwall. From festive light switch-ons to craft markets, home-grown panto to Santa fun runs, here’s a selection of events to get you jingling those bells.

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©National Trust Images James Dobson. www.nationaltrust.org.uk

1. MIRACLE THEATRE’S SLEEPING BEAUTY

December 8 to 11, Guildhall, St Ives; December 15 to 31, Princess Pavilion, Falmouth. The well-known fairy tale is given the Miracle treatment! At the Cornwall Riviera Holiday Camp in 1959, the Yellowjackets are bursting to entertain the campers with their mangled version of this classic story, following the adventures of a resourceful princess with insomnia when a resentful fairy’s wicked spell goes horribly wrong. Age 7+. www.miracletheatre.co.uk

2. HELIGAN NIGHT GARDEN

From November 18. An enchanting lantern experience amid the atmospheric Lost Gardens. Journey through the magical garden trail, exploring woodlands and gardens lit by beautiful installations by The Lantern Company, from badgers to fungi, bees to butterflies and a joyful family of cheeky Tamworth pigs. Children are invited to make their own lanterns on selected dates; £5, pre-booking essential. www.heligan.com

3. A CAPITAL CHRISTMAS

Truro’s celebrations launch on Festive Friday (November 18) with a Christmas lights switch-on and a Father Christmas parade, plus The Big Festive Shop Small Market on Lemon Quay until 9pm and continuing the following day. November 23 signals the start of Wednesday LateNight Shopping, with traffic-free shopping streets from 2pm to 9pm; and Christmas illuminations in Victoria Gardens, to be switched on daily at selected times. Truro Farmers Market BIG Christmas Market takes place on selected dates from Friday, December 2, and daily from December 14 to Christmas Eve; and the Finding Father Christmas Grotto with Coppice Theatre returns to Truro Cathedral from December 7. www.visittruro.org.uk

4. WHEAL MARTYN CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR

Near St Austell, November 19. Browse handmade goods and pick up some unique gifts, from ceramics to local gins, jewellery to handmade bird boxes. Combine your visit with a stroll through the museum and its beautiful grounds.

5. CORNISH WINTER FAIR

Royal Cornwall Events Centre, November 19 and 20, 10am to 5pm. Free entry. Celebrate all that's great about Cornish farming and food. The Winter Market runs across both days, the 140-year-old Wadebridge Prime Stock Show on the Saturday, with a packed prize schedule including classes for cattle and sheep, produce, craft and cookery. Meet farm animals and learn more about local agriculture and food production, and kick off your Christmas shopping with an array of Cornish food and drink and locally crafted gifts. www.royalcornwallshow.org/ cornish-winter-fair/

6. CHRISTMAS GARLAND

Cotehele Great Hall (National Trust entry fee applies), November 19 to January 6, 2023, 10.30am to 4pm (closed Christmas/ Boxing Day). The festive garland is the culmination of a year’s work. Preparations begin in February when seeds are sown in the Cut Flower Garden; garden staff and volunteers pick the blooms from late April, to be dried until the garland is put together over two weeks in November. Each year’s garland is different, and depending on the growing season features up to 35,000 flowers.

7. PENCARROW HOUSE & GARDENS, NEAR BODMIN

November 19 and 20. The house will be decorated for Christmas and full of craft stalls plus a food marquee. The Peacock café will be open for scrumptious treats.

8. CORNWALL CHRISTMAS FAIR

Eden Project, November 23 and 24. An enticing mix of Christmas gifts, home accessories, clothes, jewellery and mouthwatering produce between the biomes. All funds raised will support the work of Cornwall Community Foundation. Preview evening on Wednesday, November 23, 5pm to 9pm; tickets £30 including supper and two glasses of wine. Day Fair, Thursday, November 24, 10am to 4pm; tickets £18 including lunch, wine and free admission to the Eden Project. www.cornwallchristmasfair.com

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9. MYLOR CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR

Tremayne Hall, Mylor Bridge, Saturday, November 26, 10am to 4pm. A traditional festive fair showcasing work by local artisans: silver jewellery, ceramics, woodwork, organic cosmetics, children's clothes and toys, textile art, preserves, cakes, plants and more. Details from Jan Robson 01326 375252.

10. CHRISTMAS BY THE SEA

Penzance’s festive celebrations begin with the lights switch-on on November 26, followed by a programme of events including street entertainment, live bands, a silent disco, a Christmas market and the Humphry Davy Lantern Workshops and Parade on December 17.

13. FOWEY CHRISTMAS MARKET

December 2 to 4. The quaint harbour town comes alive with Christmas shopping, seasonal music and a smorgasbord of locally produced food and drink. The action is spread across the stunning Fowey Town Quay, Albert Quay, Webb Street and Town Hall venues.

14. KROWJI CHRISTMAS OPEN STUDIOS

December 2 to 4, 10am to 4pm. Buy unique Christmas gifts direct from jewellers, painters, printmakers, sculptors, potters, textile artists and more.

15. CREEK ARTS AND CRAFTS

December 3, Old Starter Pavilion, Mylor Village, 10am to 4pm. Local artists and makers sell their wares.

11. G4 AT TRURO CATHEDRAL

Wednesday November 30. Experience sumptuous seasonal harmonies in an idyllic, festive setting. Expect to hear timeless classics such as When A Child is Born, Silent Night and All I Want For Christmas, as well as delightful medleys to evoke the Christmas spirit.

12. PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

December 1 to 4. Four days of Christmas shopping with a foodie flavour, and cookery demos by some of the UK’s finest chefs, led by Paul Ainsworth, Nathan Outlaw and Rick Stein. See page 67 for more details.

16. TUNNEL OF LIGHTS

Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown, December 3 to January 8 2023. Journey through every imaginable Christmas setting, from the snowy winter wonderland of Narnia’s frozen forests to a room filled with giant baubles of every colour possible, through an entire world of beautifully wrapped presents to a mini-German Christmas Market - and don’t miss the UK’s longest tunnel of indoor festive lights, and take a selfie in the Giant Snow Globe (additional cost applies). www.shipwreckcharlestown.co.uk friends or work colleagues and dress up for the 2km route in aid Children’s Hospice South West. Have festive fun in the knowledge you’re drumming up cash for a good cause. www.chsw.org.uk

18. COASTAL CHRISTMAS MARKET

Carbis Bay Estate, December 3 and 4, 10 and 11, noon to 6pm, FREE. The beach promenade will host Christmas craft stalls, artisan stands, mulled wine and festive food, free festive activities for children, live music and Santa's grotto.

19. BUDE BEACH HUT CHRISTMAS MARKET

Crooklets Beach, December 10 and 11. The Beach Huts will be full to the brim with hand-crafted Christmas presents suitable for all ages, plus carol singers, a brass Band, and Santa’s grotto.

20.FALMOUTH’S FESTIVE WEEKEND

December 10 and 11. With ice rink, curling lane, snow machines, festive land train, live music and more.

21. SANTA BY STEAM

What could be more festive than a nostalgic steam train journey through the winter countryside, and a private audience with Father Christmas? Bodmin & Wenford and Lappa Valley steam railways both offer Santa services throughout December. www.bodminrailway.co.uk www.lappavalley.co.uk