What’s on in October 2020: Cornwall’s Diary
things to do in october in cornwall
From haunted halloween events to online festivals, Cornwall welcomes October with plenty to see and do. Read on for our highlights of the month ahead.
: KneeHigh Theatre
26th September – 24th october: KNEEHIGH STORECUPBOARD ESSENTIALS ONLINE CLASSES
Where: virtual event
Fun, energising and non-pressured. KneeHigh Theatre are putting on some online classes aimed at performers or those with an interest or passion in the arts. A series of online taught workshops, dip into the ones that take your fancy, or commit to the whole set. Each session will be delivered by one of the Cornish company’s talented members. And with so many different areas to explore, from sound and voice to improvisation and character building, there’s plenty to learn. Book your place here.
: The Royal Standard Gwinear
2nd october – FOLKTOBER FESTIVAL, gwinear
Where: 40 minute drive from The Greenbank
For some toe-tapping outdoor music, head to the Royal Standard in Gwinear this month. Local bands and musicians including JollyRoger, Boundless Brothers, As Weird As Fish and Queen Anne’s Revenge will be performing. In addition to brilliant music, the pub will also be putting on a thrilling fire show!
The event is all weather permitting and socially distanced in accordance with government guidelines. The bar will be fully stocked and hot food will be available too. If you’re worrying about getting home after a few tipples, there are also camping pitches or campervans ready to hire from £5. Grab your tickets here.
: StreetDraw24
2nd October – STREETDRAW24, falmouth
Where: throughout Falmouth
If you’re wondering what to do in October in Cornwall without breaking the bank, check out StreetDraw24. The perfect outdoor activity for art-lovers, get your sketchpads, easels, pens and paintbrushes at the ready. Join other artists, students and enthusiasts for 24 hours of drawing around Falmouth. As well as lots of creativity, listen to local storytellers throughout the day. Gary Cordingly will be kicking it off at midnight on 2nd October with some spooky ghost stories.
Also, you can enter your work to be shown and sold at The Poly. As a result, all the proceeds will be donated to a homelessness charity in Cornwall. The exhibitions themselves will take place from 15th-17th October.
3rd october – CORNWALL CRAFT GIN AND RUM FAIR, devoran village hall
Where: 15 minute drive from The Greenbank
Discover your new favourite rums and gins at the Cornwall Craft Gin and Rum Fair. St Ives Gin, Wrecking Coast, Curio and Rosemullion Gin are just a few of the Cornish companies set to be attending. Meet the distillers and teams behind some of the best craft gins and rums in the south west.
10th october – OPEN AIR ‘GINEMA’ AT PORTHMEOR BEACH, st ives
Where: 1 hour drive from The Greenbank
Gin, the beach and a feel-good movie. What could be better? This October in Cornwall the open air ‘ginema’ is hitting St Ives. Sip on a Tarquin’s Cornish Gin and Franklin & Sons tonic and choose from The Greatest Showman or Dirty Dancing. And if you’re lucky, you may even catch a sunset too! Tickets can be bought here.
17th october – ‘PEEKY’ BLINDERS MURDER MYSTERY EVENING, the alverton hotel, truro
Where: 30 minute drive from The Greenbank
Back by popular demand, our sister hotel The Alverton are hosting another murder mystery night. The theme is ‘peeky’ blinders, and The Great Hall will be travelling back in time to 1919 back street Birmingham on the 17th October. Performed by the brilliantly entertaining Murder By Appointment, get ready for an immersive dining experience with plenty of plot twists and dramatic scenes.
After watching carefully whilst you tuck into a four-course dinner, it’s time to put your detectives hats on and piece together the clues to determine the culprit. Ticket holders are encouraged to wear fancy dress.
24th october – 1st november – SPOOKY PENDENNIS CASTLE, FALMOUTH
Where: 10 minute drive from The Greenbank
If you’re in Cornwall this October during Halloween, where better to spend the spookiest day of the year than an old Tudor castle? Henry VIIIs old coastal fortress is hosting a spooky day of family-friendly events for you and your little ones. Expect eerie trails, creepy clues, haunted stories and a Halloween fancy dress competition.
: The Minack Theatre
25th – 28th october – HORRIBLE HISTORIES BARMY BRITAIN, the minack theatre, porthcurno
Where: 1 hour 15 minute drive from The Greenbank
Rated by Time Out as ‘a fact-packed gem’, Horrible Histories is returning to The Minack Theatre stage this October half term. Described as ‘the horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in’, this is a hilariously educational, family-friendly event. From horrible Henry VIII to dastardly Dick Turpin, get ready to be disgusted and thoroughly entertained at this special live production in Cornwall. Tickets are available here.
26th – 30th october – THE BIG BOOK WEEK, st ives
Where: 1 hour drive from The Greenbank
This event is one for the children who love reading. Stories by the Sea are hosting a week of family-friendly fun with bookish activities and arts and crafts. Book a table and join in, with the events mainly aimed at children aged 4-11 years old. Each day of the week will be focusing on a new children’s book. Choose your slot and book online here.
: Lowender Peran
28th october – 1st november – LOWENDER PERAN ONLINE
Where: virtual event
This year, the Celtic dance and folk festival Lowender Peran can’t go ahead as originally planned. However, fear not! The organisers are bringing festival-goers Lowender Peran Online – a virtual version of this popular Cornish knees-up. Find out more here.
31st october – HALLOWEEN AT THE SHIPWRECK MUSEUM, charlestown
Where: 45 minute drive from The Greenbank
Rumours of paranormal activity and ghostly sightings in the tunnels at the Shipwreck Museum in Charlestown date back for centuries. The Cornish village with the beautiful late Georgian working port is the place to be this Halloween. Explore ancient artefacts and the remnants of old wreckages, as the museum invites you to get investigating on Halloween evening. Not for the light-hearted, are you brave enough? Get your tickets here.
31st october – TRURO SCHOOL COOKERY, truro
Where: 30 minute drive from The Greenbank
Mini pumpkin pizzas, mummy hot dogs with blood relish, ghost meringues and a show stopping chocolate sponge slash cake are on the menu this October at Truro School Cookery. If you’ve got a keen aspiring chef in your family, AJ and Maria of Truro School Cookery have put together this spooktacular day of family-friendly cooking. Silence the ghoulish grumbles of hungry little tummies and come along for some terrifyingly tasty treats. Book online here.
: Lappa Valley
31st october – FIREWORKS AT LAPPA VALLEY, Newquay
Where: 45 minute drive from The Greenbank
For a dazzling Halloween, head to Lappa Valley for fireworks and food. Soft drinks and tipples, as well as hot and cold food will be served from the outdoor bar. Booking is required here.
plan your cornish escape to the coast this autumn
With rooms for two from just £99 per night including breakfast and a mini cream tea, book with our Cornish Winter Getaway offer by calling 01326 312440.
