This 4th-6th October: Fun Palaces Take Over Cornwall with Free Events

A series of ‘Fun Palaces’ will spring up across Cornwall from 4-6 October, as part of a national celebration marking the 10th anniversary of the international Fun Palaces movement. The weekend promises a variety of free cultural experiences and activities, inviting local communities to unleash their creativity in some unexpected spaces.

Cornwall Joins Nationwide Celebration

Hundreds of Fun Palaces are set to take place throughout the UK during the first weekend of October, with events planned in towns and cities from Edinburgh to Exeter. Cornwall will play a key role, hosting Fun Palaces in locations ranging from libraries and pubs to museums and even racetracks.

The movement encourages community-led events, showcasing local talent and offering free access to creative activities. This year’s line-up in Cornwall includes workshops on crocheting in Port Isaac, a Lego fun day in Bodmin, a Grease sing-along screening in Redruth, and watercolour painting sessions in Penzance. Helston will also see locals stitching their own book designs, while Redruth will offer an opportunity to learn how to create a unique species of butterfly.

Photo: Artists leading workshops at the Krowji Fun Palace, Redruth Cornwall – Credit: Neal Megaw

A Decade of Community Creativity

Founded in 2013, Fun Palaces is a year-round campaign with an annual Weekend of Celebration, funded by The National Lottery Community Fund. The initiative began in honour of the influential theatre maker Joan Littlewood, who in the 1960s envisioned a “laboratory of fun” and a “university of the streets.” Her dream of a space where people could come together to learn, experiment, and engage in different cultural activities laid the foundation for the present-day Fun Palaces.

Over the past decade, more than 45,000 people have organised around 2,600 events attended by over 850,000 people. This year marks a significant milestone as the movement celebrates its 10th anniversary, with Fun Palaces popping up across the UK, including several right here in Cornwall.

Local Collaborations and Community Spirit

Many Fun Palace venues in Cornwall have teamed up with local organisations such as Bodmin Town Council, The Writers Block, Wooden Box, and Cornwall Butterfly Conservation to enhance the range of activities available. These partnerships provide access to the facilities and expertise of larger organisations, offering even more opportunities for community members to get involved.

Ellie Allen from St Rumons Social Club in Redruth shared her experience of hosting a Fun Palace last year: “The whole thing has brought the community together because we’ve got people here that don’t normally come to the social club.”

Isobel King from the Museum of Cornish Life echoed this sentiment: “Whenever I think of the autumn, straightaway I think, ‘Fun Palaces!’ I think it’s just a really lovely way to get people involved in a space, in our case, and I really like the idea behind Fun Palaces: to have a go at things, to experiment, and to have fun.”

Join the Fun

With dozens more events being added daily, the weekend promises a diverse range of activities devised entirely by the public. From junk modelling to dancing, recipe sharing to DIY, there’s something for everyone. To find a Fun Palace near you, visit the Fun Palaces website.

This celebration of culture is a unique opportunity to explore creativity and community spirit right on your doorstep. Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with your local community and discover something new.