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Things to do in Cornwall this July
July in Cornwall is a lot, In the best possible way!
It’s festivals, harbour weeks, food stalls you didn’t plan on staying at, and that familiar moment of thinking “We’ll just pop in for one thing” and resurfacing four hours later somewhere completely different, a little more tanned and slightly unbothered by any responsibility.
The County is very much awake now. Here’s what’s actually happening this month...
10th-12th July
Tropical Pressure, Porthtowan
One of Cornwalls most distinctive small festivals set just above Porthtowan beach.
Global music, workshops, eco- minded everything, and a crowd that manages to be both lively and very grounded at the same time.
It’s colourful, slightly off grid in spirit, and usually ends with you dancing in a field wondering how it became midnight.
9th-12th July
Newquay Food Festival, Kilacourt
Four days of street food, local producers, cooking demos and live music overlooking Towan beach.
It has that very Cornish rhythm of: arrive hungry, stay longer than planned, sit down ‘just for a minute’ and suddenly it’s sunset and you’re considering dessert again even though you absolutely don’t need it.
13th July
Stithians Show
A proper Cornish classic.
Livestock, vintage machinery, craft tents, show rings, fairground rides and families moving between them all with determined optimism and wellies (just in case).
It’s part agriculture, part nostalgia, part mild chaos and entirely Cornish!
Find out more here
18th July
Folk Festival, Falmouth
A relaxed, open air celebration of folk music at Princess Pavillions.
Trad tunes, original sets and an easy going crowd that drifts in and out as the day goes on.
Free entry, which always feels like a small gift once you’re there.
25th July
Charlestown Regatta Week
Charlestown regatta week brings a full programme of Harbourside activity across the village, centred around the historic harbour.
Expect a mix of sailing races, rowing events, live music, family activities and evening gatherings along the quay, with different events running through the week rather than one single focus.
The harbour becomes the centre stage- it’s busy but perfectly Charlestown in all it’s beauty..
27th-1st August July
Carnival Week, Looe
Parades, floats, harbour celebrations, music and full seaside energy.
It’s loud, slightly old-school and very community led, the sort of week where the whole town gets together and leans in to summer.
All Month long
Newquay
Less a single event, more a constant hum of activity.
Surf comps, skate sessions, pop ups, beach gigs, late evenings that blur into the night.
Newquay in July doesn’t really start or stop, it just shifts shape depending on the time of day.
St. Ives in July
St Ives in July is everything happening at once, in one small place between sea & sky.
Beaches filling early, boats moving through the harbour, galleries, cafes and streets all flowing between water and light.
Days drift easily between swimming, wandering, eating something you didn’t plan on and ending up somewhere you didn’t expect.
There’s music in the evenings, exhibitions tucked in to every corner of town and a constant sense that you’re either on your way somewhere, or already exactly where you should be.
It’s busy, beautiful and always the best experienced rather than described.
July in Cornwall doesn’t need much from you. Just follow things that look interesting. Eat things you didn’t plan to. Step inside when the light gets too bright. And, don’t be surprised if the best part of the day wasn’t what you planned at all.