A CORNISH CHRISTMAS
Celebrating the Festive Season in Cornwall
When the Christmas season arrives in Cornwall, the landscape transforms into a scene reminiscent of a storybook. With its rugged coastline, charming harbours, and quaint villages adorned with twinkling lights, Cornwall embraces the festive season in both timeless and unique ways. Cornish Christmas traditions have deep historical roots, as well as some more modern twists, giving the celebrations a local flair that’s hard to find elsewhere in the UK. From ancient customs to cosy Christmas feasts, and even braving icy seas, here’s a look at some of Cornwall’s most cherished Christmas traditions.
Montol Festival and the Revival of Cornish Customs
One of the most distinctively Cornish celebrations leading up to Christmas is the Montol Festival, held every December in Penzance. This festival, which revives old Cornish customs, is based on the ancient Celtic tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. During Montol, locals and visitors don costumes inspired by traditional Cornish attire and process through the streets carrying lanterns. The culmination is a torch-lit procession, culminating in the burning of the “Mock,” a Cornish Yule log, to symbolize the return of the sun and the lengthening of days. For many in Cornwall, Montol is a reminder of the region’s rich Celtic roots and a chance to celebrate Christmas with a historical twist.
Christmas Markets and Fairs
Across Cornwall, Christmas markets are a popular tradition and a vibrant way to ring in the festive season. These markets, such as those in Truro and Padstow, showcase the best of local crafts, foods, and artisanal goods. Handcrafted jewellery, wood carvings, and pottery are among the items that visitors can find, making for unique and personal Christmas gifts. Local food and drink stalls serve up traditional Cornish fare, including mulled cider and pasties, adding a distinct flavour to these festive gatherings. Strolling through a Cornish Christmas market, surrounded by the scent of spiced drinks and the sound of carol singers, is a sensory experience that has become a holiday favourite for many.
Festive Foods and Cornish Holiday Treats
Cornwall’s Christmas menu is a feast of both local flavours and seasonal favourites. While mince pies, turkey, and Christmas puddings are enjoyed across the UK, Cornwall adds its own twist. Saffron cake, a sweet bread flavoured with saffron and studded with currants, is a favourite during the season, and sometimes it’s shared as a gift with friends and neighbours. Another local delicacy enjoyed at Christmas is the Stargazy pie, a traditional Cornish fish pie with sardines peeking out of the crust to honour the legend of Tom Bawcock, who braved the stormy seas to save his village from famine. The legend is celebrated each December 23rd in the village of Mousehole during Tom Bawcock’s Eve, where locals gather to eat Stargazy pie and keep this Cornish Christmas tradition alive.
Cornish Carols and Wassailing
Singing plays a big role in Cornish Christmas traditions. Cornish carols, such as “Harky, Harky” and “The Sans Day Carol,” are distinctive and carry a sense of history and local pride. Traditionally, the carolers would move from house to house, singing for their neighbours, who would often thank them with festive treats. This tradition of singing Cornish carols has seen a revival in recent years, with groups of carolers gathering at events and even pubs, filling the night with melody.
Another historic Cornish tradition, wassailing, is still observed in some communities. Wassailing involves singing to the health of trees, especially apple trees, to encourage a good harvest for the next year. Wassailers carry cups of cider or mulled wine and sing to the trees as part of a blessing ritual—a custom that ties Christmas celebrations to Cornwall’s strong agricultural roots.
Christmas Day Sea Swims
One of the more modern but increasingly popular Christmas traditions in Cornwall is the Christmas Day sea swim. Across Cornish beaches, from Sennen Cove to Porthminster Beach, groups of daring locals and visitors take a dip in the frigid sea on Christmas morning. Many brave the cold waters for charity, some as part of family tradition, and others simply for the thrill of it. Swimmers often dress in Santa hats or festive costumes, adding a joyful splash of colour against the winter waves. The sea swim is a refreshing—if chilly—start to the day, and participants are rewarded with hot drinks and often pasties afterward to warm up.
Decorations and Christmas Light Displays
Cornwall’s small towns and villages take holiday decorating seriously, creating some truly magical Christmas light displays. One of the most beloved is the Mousehole Christmas Lights, where this picturesque fishing village is transformed by thousands of colourful lights illuminating the harbour. Started in 1963, this tradition now includes everything from twinkling fishing boats to Christmas trees floating in the water, creating an enchanting display that draws visitors from across the UK. Other towns, like Padstow and Falmouth, also host impressive displays, each putting their own spin on the holiday decorations. For many Cornish families, a trip to see the Christmas lights is an annual tradition.
Boxing Day Lunch and Family Gatherings
In Cornwall, Boxing Day is as celebrated as Christmas Day itself, offering time for relaxation, family visits, and walks along the coast. Many families take advantage of Cornwall’s scenic landscapes and go for a post-Christmas stroll on beaches or through the countryside, often ending up in a cosy pub for a festive carvery. Traditional Boxing Day gatherings give families and friends a chance to come together without the rush of Christmas Day, sharing leftover holiday treats and enjoying time together.
From the ancient tradition of the Montol Festival to the bracing Christmas Day sea swims, Cornwall has a distinct way of celebrating Christmas that blends history, local customs, and a bit of holiday magic. Whether it’s sampling a Stargazy pie, taking in the glow of the Mousehole Christmas Lights, or enjoying a Boxing Day carvery with family, Cornish Christmas traditions offer something special that reflects the spirit of the season and the beauty of Cornwall’s unique heritage. For anyone spending Christmas in Cornwall, these traditions create unforgettable memories and a holiday experience like no other.
Don’t forget to book your table for the Griffin Boxing Day carvery, served every Boxing Day our carvery is served with a festive twist, all day long!