The festive period is always special in Cornwall and none more so than in Newquay, with the annual switch on of the lights to illuminate the town, as well as the popular Music and Ale Festival over the same weekend to warm your cockles.
The festivities begin on Friday 27th November with the Music and Ale Festival – brought to us by the organisers of Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival and the Newquay BID team. It begins at 11am on the Friday with live acts over the weekend at Fore Street Car Park in Newquay.
As is now a customary tradition, between 4.30-6.30pm we will see the reindeer entertaining children outside the Hotel Victoria. From 6.30pm the lantern parade will begin.
Over 100 glowing creations and their makers will be setting off from Narrowcliff at 6.30pm for the parade. They will journey along Cliff Road and East Street where they will be joined by none other than Father Christmas and his real-life reindeer. The parade will pause at the bottom of Marcus Hill for the light switch on and blessing of the Christmas Tree at approximately 7pm. The Reindeer will be entertaining children at the Hotel Victoria from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. The evening’s celebrations will then culminate with a festive fireworks display over the harbour at 8.45pm.
Visitors to the lantern parade can also take advantage of Newquay’s late night shopping event on Friday. Many retailers will be throwing open their doors until 8.30pm for people looking to pick up the perfect present.
Friday 27th to Sunday 29th November
There will be Sipping and Swaying as Newquay’s Music and Ale Festival Returns in time for Christmas
Thanks to Newquay Business Improvement District (BID) and organisers of Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival, the much loved Music & Ale Festival is set to return with on Friday 27th November. The family friendly event will run until Sunday 29th November and is sure to get toes tapping. The event will kick off at 11am each day and will be keeping the crowds entertained until 11pm Friday and Saturday and 10pm on Sunday.
The Festival will once again be on its new location on Fore Street Car park complete with craft stalls from 11am till 6pm each day to start that Christmas shopping.
Festival-goers will be protected from the elements under a large marquee where they can enjoy the musical entertainment of bands such as Black Friday, Rudi’s Message, Backbeat Sound System and Cyderfex along with an array of talented street performers. See below for a full list of times and performances, plus there are a still more to be announced.
Friday 27th November
10 – 11pm – Black Friday
9 – 9.45pm – Rudi’s Message
8 – 8.45pm – Beachfield
11am – 8pm – local bands and acoustic musicians
Saturday 28th November
10 – 11pm – BackBeat Sound System
9 – 9.45pm – Antimatador
8 – 8.45pm – Ten Bob Notes
7 – 7.45pm – The Big Sets
6 – 6.45pm – Shadowmen
5 – 5.45 – The Hawks
11am – 5pm – local bands and acoustic musicians
Sunday 29th November
9 – 10pm – Andy Quick Music – (Land of the Giants)
8 – 8.45pm – Cyderfex
7 – 7.45pm – TBA
6 – 6.45pm – Belfast Busker
5 – 5.45pm – TBA
4 – 4.45pm – Newquay Rowing Club Singers
11am – 4pm – local bands and acoustic musicians
Make sure you check out the Newquay BID Music and Ale Festival Facebook page for regular updates about the event. For more information about Newquay’s Christmas programme, people can pick up a copy of the Festive Events Guide which lists details of all local events up until New Year’s Eve which will be free in next week’s Newquay Voice.
More info can be found at the Newquay Bid website.
