With the Olympic Games focusing attention on the UK this year, here are our top 12 event highlights for 2012.
Cornwall Spring Flower Show: March 31 - April 1
See the very best in Cornish horticulture at one of the earliest shows in the gardening calendar. With fantastic displays of spring flowers including rhododendrons and azaleas, Boconnoc House and Estate provides the perfect place to wander around the show gardens and competitive classes and to stroll among the many trade stands and the Cornish produce marquees in the grounds.
More info: http://www.cornwallflowershow.co.uk/
J P Morgan Asset Management Finn Festival: May 4 - 18
This world class sailing event will see up to 120 elite sailors representing 30 nations across the globe competing in the waters off Falmouth. The festival includes the UK Open Finn Nationals and the Finn Gold Cup, the annual world championship for the Olympic Finn dinghy. The Finn Gold Cup will be an Olympic qualifier for the London 2012 Olympics. There will be spectator boats to follow the action whilst ashore the close fought daily racing will be screened in the festival marquee. During the Gold Cup there will be shore-side entertainment, live music and a fireworks finale.
Running alongside the Finn Festival will be the Sail for Gold Exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall, 2 – 24 May. The exhibition will show how Great Britain cemented its place as the world’s most successful Olympic and Paralympic sailing nation, linking our heritage with the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic sailing regattas taking place at Weymouth and Portland.
More info: www.falmouthfinnfestival.co.uk
Helston Flora Day: May 8
The whole town joins in the celebrations to mark the coming of spring and the passing of winter. The five Furry dances which give the day its name, wind in and out shops, houses and gardens led by the Town Band with its instantly recognisable music. Market stalls the length of the main street and a town fair give the whole day a carnival atmosphere.
More info: http://www.helstonfloraday.org.uk
Daphne du Maurier Festival: May 9 - 20
Set in Fowey overlooking the picturesque harbour, the festival marquee is the main venue for book talks, stand-up comedy and live music. Theatre and classical concerts are held around the town and put Fowey on the literary map for ten days of entertainment featuring star names, talks, walks, theatre and concerts celebrating the town’s most famous literary resident, the author Daphne du Maurier.
More info: http://www.dumaurierfestival.co.uk
Golowan Festival: June 16 - 24
The streets and harbourside of Penzance are filled with music and colour for this unique festival, which celebrates music and the performing arts. Golowan traditionally includes Penglaz, the Penzance ‘Obby ‘Oss, Serpent Dances and Mazey Day. Not to be outdone by the London Olympics, Penzance will be hosting the very first GOLympic Games as part of Quay Fair Day in 2012.
More info: http://www.golowan.org
J Class Regatta: June 26 - 30
This will be an event not to be missed, the Regatta will make history when up to eight magnificent J Class yachts will race together in a fleet. The yachts, each 140 feet long and carrying up to thirty crew, will create an amazing spectacle as they race in Falmouth Bay and beyond with great vantage points from the headlands around Falmouth harbour as they make their way to and from the race area.
More info: http://www.jclassfalmouthregatta.com/
Pendennis Cup: July 2 - 7
Held every two years, 14 superyachts have already signed up for the 2012 event, bringing over 400 crew to Falmouth. The largest of these graceful yachts is Athos - an impressive 62 metres long, whilst Mariquita, built in 1911, is one of the oldest yachts taking part. The yachts will make their way to the daily racing past Pendennis and St Mawes Castles, with great viewing areas around Falmouth harbour and seafront.
More info: www.thependenniscup.com
Port Eliot Festival: July 19 - 22
The ancient Port Eliot estate in south east Cornwall is the setting for this festival which has been described as a literary festival, but with the feel of a garden party! It appeals to all ages with a magical combination of books, food, music, art, comedy, fashion, films, flowers, wildlife and water. Don’t miss the extremely popular Cabaret Tent, the ‘Caught by the River’ stage and the enchanting House of Fairy Tales, a fabulous family festival.
More info: www.porteliotfestival.com
Boardmasters Skate, Surf and Music Festival: August 8 - 12
An action packed week of pro surfing competition at Fistral in Newquay, one of Cornwall’s top surfing beaches and two full on days of music at the stunning site overlooking Watergate Bay. If you are into surfing or music this is the festival for you! Europe’s biggest surf and music festival attracts top names to the surfing and an impressive line up of headline bands to the music stages. Music tickets sell out fast – so be warned!
More info: www.boardmasters.co.uk
Festival of Sport Cornwall: September 14 - 16
Competitors of all levels will take part in this exciting new event around Marazion and St Michael’s Mount in west Cornwall. The festival includes a high-octane combination of triathlon, long distance cycling road race, off road cycling, open water swimming and a beach run as well as live music, beach sports, entertainment and much more. Sporting celebrities Will Greenwood and Austin Healey will take part in a team relay challenge in the ‘Weekend Warrior’ event.
More info: http://www.festivalofsport.net/
Bude Jazz: August 28 - 31
A festival of traditional and New Orleans jazz which will appeal to audiences and dancers alike with live gigs, street parades and a jazz picnic. Bude Jazz 2012 plans to have five main venues with two gigs per day at each venue.
More info: http://www.budejazz2012.co.uk/
Falmouth Oyster Festival: October 11 - 14
Taste native oysters with local stout or champagne whilst listening to shanty singing or laid back jazz and you will return to this unique festival again and again. Celebrating the start of the oyster season with local oyster fishermen shucking the delicacies before your very eyes, cooking demonstrations from leading local chefs and stalls selling quality Cornish produce and crafts make this one of the top food festivals in Cornwall.
More info: http://www.falmouthoysterfestival.co.uk