A Guide to Summer Festivals and Activities in Cornwall 2025

Cornwall in summer is more than just turquoise water, golden coves and clifftop walks. It’s a season that bursts with music, food, surfing and village traditions, each woven into the landscape by a calendar of lively, sometimes unexpected, events. If you’re planning a visit in 2025, you’ll be pleased to know that many of the region’s most popular summer festivals already have their dates confirmed — giving you the certainty you need to plan a proper Cornish escape.

By mid-June, the musical side of Cornwall comes alive with the Eden Sessions, a unique concert series held in the dramatic setting of the Eden Project near St Austell. The line-up this year is especially strong. Things get underway on Thursday 12 June with Scottish pop-rock band Texas, supported by KT Tunstall. Then, on Wednesday 18 June, Gary Barlow headlines with soul powerhouse Beverley Knight. A week later on Wednesday 25 June, Irish favourites The Script take the stage with Tom Walker. On Thursday 26 June, fans of alternative metal will welcome the arrival of Deftones, joined by post-punk outfit High Vis.

The Sessions continue into July with Biffy Clyro and Nova Twins on Wednesday 9 July and Thursday 10 July. Expect loud guitars, big choruses and serious energy. Then on Saturday 12 July, ska legends Madness bring their timeless catalogue of hits to the stage, followed by The Libertines with special guests on Sunday 13 July. The Eden Sessions offer something quite rare — intimate gigs by major acts in a surreal garden setting. They’re well run, easily accessible, and surrounded by some of Cornwall’s loveliest scenery.

The tone shifts from rock stars to livestock on Monday 14 July with the Stithians Show — Cornwall’s biggest one-day agricultural event. Held on the Stithians Showground near Truro, it’s a staple of the county’s rural calendar. Think prize sheep and shire horses, classic cars, home-made jam contests, artisan crafts, fairground rides and a full day of local food and drink. There’s a live music stage, a dog show, vintage tractors and lots of hands-on fun for kids. It’s a joyful day out, and a proper taste of Cornwall’s deep-rooted farming culture.

Next up is Lafrowda Day, the colourful community arts festival held in St Just, West Cornwall. In 2025, it falls on Saturday 19 July. This grass-roots celebration sees the streets filled with parades, giant puppets, open-air performances and a distinctly local flavour. It’s a free event, run by volunteers, and feels wonderfully authentic. Whether you come for the live bands, the creative workshops or the joy of watching a handmade parade snake its way through a tiny town, it’s a good-humoured day with serious heart.

For those drawn to the finer side of food and music, the Rock Oyster Festival takes place from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 July 2025, on the banks of the Camel Estuary near Wadebridge. This festival has grown into a standout on Cornwall’s summer schedule, blending top chefs and rising music acts with yoga, kids’ activities, river swims and very good cocktails. Expect pop-up restaurants from Michelin-starred names, as well as fire-pit cooking and plenty of local oysters (naturally). Music is always strong too — with past line-ups featuring the likes of Groove Armada and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. Whether you come for the food, the atmosphere, or a barefoot dance under the stars, Rock Oyster nails that upscale-boho vibe perfectly.

Cornwall’s busiest and boldest event, Boardmasters, returns to Newquay from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August 2025. It’s the ultimate hybrid of surf competition and music festival, drawing in more than 50,000 people each year. The action is split across two sites — Fistral Beach, where the surfing, BMX and skateboarding contests are held, and Watergate Bay, where the main music arena sits above the Atlantic. This year’s headliners include The Prodigy and Raye, with many more acts to be announced. Expect beach yoga, wellness workshops, sea swims, artisan markets and parties that roll late into the night. If you’re looking for energy and edge, this is the place to be.

That wraps the list of confirmed-dated events — and though Cornwall’s calendar has plenty more to offer throughout the summer, these are the ones you can bank on now. From a springtime foodie weekend in Porthleven to surfside sunsets in Newquay, from intimate Eden gigs to family days out at Stithians, there’s plenty here to build a memorable summer around.

A few tips to help you get the most from your visit: tickets for the bigger events, especially Boardmasters and Eden Sessions, can sell out quickly, so early booking is recommended. Parking can be tight at smaller village festivals like Lafrowda, so consider park-and-ride options or arriving early. Most of the food-focused events cater well for dietary needs, and nearly all are family-friendly, with kids’ zones, quiet areas, and accessible facilities.

Cornwall in summer is always special — but when you align your visit with an event that suits your style, you tap into something even better. A gathering of like-minded people, in an extraordinary setting, doing something joyful. What more could you ask for?

Whether you’re chasing big beats or quiet Cornish charm, the summer of 2025 is shaping up nicely. Book your spot, pack your suncream (and a raincoat just in case), and get ready to make the most of it.