Be Newquay Festival
Unleash your creativity at the Be Newquay Festival – each weekend in November is packed with comedy, theatre, art, and workshops, celebrating Newquay’s vibrant energy and creative talent. Keep reading for a snapshot of the weekend highlights.
Weekend one (1-3rd Nov)
The Cream of Cornish Weekender kicks off the Be Newquay Festival with a spirited blend of Cornish music, comedy, theatre, workshops, and community gatherings. Starting on Friday with a candlelit acapella performance by KANA at St Michael The Archangel, the weekend then moves into Saturday’s laughter-filled LOL-A-DAY Destination! comedy night, followed by a one-man comedic twist on Dracula at The Griffin Inn.
Throughout Saturday, Newquay is alive with creativity: families can enjoy bellyboard painting, shop at the BIG Newquay Market, join live art events, or craft autumnal lanterns and keepsakes. Wellness workshops offer moments of calm, while a beach art session and dance pop-ups bring vibrancy to the town. Sunday rounds out with a local short film matinee by Cornwall Film Festival, family-friendly crafting at the To The Moon & Back sessions, and a coastal wildlife walk, making for an adventurous day outdoors.
Weekend two (9-10th Nov)
Celebrate Newquay’s artistic energy through vibrant installations, hands-on workshops, and unique performances, all spotlighting the town’s creative talent. On Friday, the iconic Versions mural by local artist and community icon Phil Strugnell is unveiled at SeaSpace, setting the stage for a weekend filled with creative expression.
Saturday invites participants to explore their own artistry: adults can paint personalised bellyboards with Dick Pearce and Friends, while SeaSpace hosts an abstract wood sculpture workshop with Phil Strugnell himself. Art continues with a Seascape Painting Workshop at the Adult Education Centre, recreating the iconic Polly Joke poppy fields.
On Sunday, Upstart Theatre’s "Red Planet: Revolution!" at St Michael’s Church Hall takes audiences to Mars in an interactive storytelling game where participants can shape their own utopian society. SeaSpace continues the creative spirit with Phil Strugnell’s Abstract Collage Workshop at Project 83, inviting attendees to craft bold, textured collages.
Weekend three (15- 17th Nov)
Starting on Friday evening with To The Moon & Back, an immersive outdoor performance that blends dance, theatre, sound installations, and projections across Newquay’s town centre.
Saturday offers a rich variety of workshops and outdoor experiences. Attendees can craft willow lanterns at the Trenance Trees and Tales workshop, while tightwire artist Poppy Plowman combines balance and storytelling at the Wire & Write session. Artist Andy Pearce hosts Sip & Sketch at The Headland, where participants can enjoy sketching alongside the stunning coastal views. Meanwhile, families can dive into nature with the Rockpool Experience at South Fistral, guided by Newquay Marine Group experts.
Sunday wraps up with more creative and interactive sessions, including Turk(ish), a performance blending circus arts and storytelling, and a Tightwire Taster Workshop for those wanting an introduction to this balancing act.
Weekend four (22 – 24th Nov)
On Friday, join the community at Trenance Heritage Cottages for the big Christmas tree lighting and full lights display.
Saturday offers a mix of creative activities for all ages. Andy Pearce continues his artist residency with an open studio at The Headland, where visitors can see his work in progress, capturing the coastal landscape. He’ll also host his popular Sip & Sketch workshops, offering a relaxed space to draw and paint while enjoying a warm beverage. Over at Newquay Library, children’s author Craig Barr-Green will captivate young audiences with a lively storytelling session. To celebrate National Tree Week, the library is also giving away free trees for residents to plant, encouraging everyone to contribute to Newquay’s green spaces.
Throughout the weekend, Nordic spa sessions continue at Saunassa’s Feel Good Building, offering a rejuvenating retreat with wood-fired saunas, hot tubs, and cold plunge baths, perfect for relaxation amid the holiday bustle.
Weekend five (29 Nov – 1 Dec)
Curated by ALMA Artspace the, ALMA Winter Arts Weekend in Newquay, from 29th November to 1st December, brings together art, music, and community events to connect you to Newquay’s landscape, history and heritage.
The weekend begins on Friday with an Organ Recital by Martin Palmer at St Michael’s Church Hall, where guests can enjoy mulled wine and live music to set a festive, welcoming tone. On Saturday, there’s a wide array of activities for all ages. The Moogie Wonderland Workshop offers a hands-on chance to create electronic music with modular synths and visuals through live programming—an exciting opportunity for music and digital art lovers. Families can join the Community Flag Making Workshop led by artist Amy Brock-Morgan, adding to a collaborative art piece that captures the community’s creativity. Young artists and families can also enjoy drop-in creative sessions, and local storytellers Recalling Fire will share ancient local myths, transporting audiences to a world of folklore. At the Fly Cellars, Leila Galloway’s installation “Hebaska” transforms the historic space above Newquay Harbour into an artful reflection on the local landscape.
Saturday evening brings live music with The New Eves and Daisy Rickman performing at St Michael’s Church, creating an intimate setting with acoustic sounds.
On Sunday, there’s more to explore: Seaweed Pressing at WI Hall with The Seaweed Institute teaches the Victorian art of preserving seaweed specimens. Later, the Monolith Celebrations with Stone Club at St Michael’s Church invites everyone to learn about Newquay’s ancient monoliths through art, music, and discussion, connecting past and present.
Plus a whole host of other activities.
Don’t miss a moment of fun! Click below to explore the full line-up for the Be Newquay Festival
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