Wide-open spaces, endless beaches and festive events are taking place in Cornwall this December. Take a look at our top events and activities taking place this month.
Ice Skating at the Eden Project
The ice rink at the Eden Project is open throughout December. Spend the morning exploring the rainforest biomes and the Eden Project gardens, and the afternoon skating. Pre-booking is essential and do check the website for the latest updates.
Beach and Coastal Walks
Wide-open spaces and empty beaches, take to the cliffs and walk the South West coast path, or check the tides and explore rock pools, caves and our sandy shores. Read 10 local family walks from our friends at Muddy Stilettoes, and check our blog on Ten best beaches in Cornwall for inspiration.
Drive-In Cinema
Festive favourites such as Home Alone, Jack Frost, The Greatest Showman, Love Actually, Elf, The Grinch and It's a Wonderful Life headline in the pop-up open-air cinema in Truro Cattle Market. Taking place each weekend between 4 and 20 December, pre-booking is essential. Local food and drink trucks will be on-site, so grab a blanket, wind the car seats back and enjoy the film.
The Heligan Night Garden
The Lost Gardens of Heligan are a garden frozen in time, forgotten since the outbreak of WW1, and re-awakened in 1990. The history, scale, wildlife, woodland, and jungle rope bridge suspended 100 feet above ancient ferns, are waiting. Throughout December, the gardens are illuminated at night by hundreds of traditional and wildlife lanterns, lighting up the iconic gardens for an immersive gentle one-hour circular night walk.
The Heligan Night Garden takes place 4 - 6 December and 11 - 13 December between 5:30pm and 8:30pm.
Christmas at Lappa Valley
Take the steam train through the wooded valley into Lappa and meet Santa in his grotto, where there is a present for every child. A family-friendly festive day out in Newquay with activities for the children and refreshments. Ticket purchase is essential, dates available are 2 and 6 December, 12 and 13 December and 19 -24 December.
Minack Theatre
Set on the south-west cliffs of Cornwall, the open-air theatre has some festive performances on this December, set against the backdrop of the Atlantic. A Musical Minack Christmas, The Mousehole Cat and a Christmas Carol feature at various dates throughout December. (12 - 22 December).
Bodmin Jail
A major re-development has taken place at Bodmin Jail. Built 1779, you can now dig into the history yourself, literally. With immersive experiences, a “Dark Walk” grimy cells, and chilling last moments.
Booking essential. Open throughout December, restrictions permitting.
Tunnel of Lights
Underneath the Shipwreck Treasure Museum, Charlestown more than five kilometres of cable and over 50,000 lights transform the subterranean passages of the Shipwreck Museum into a festive wonderland. "From Narnia to the North Pole, through a frozen forest and a neon wood, travel through magical realms in this illumination spectacular." Running from 3 December to 10 January, pre-booked tickets essential.
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