Be Newquay Festival Celebrates a Successful Start – What to Expect This Weekend

The first weekend of the month-long Be Newquay Festival concluded with success, drawing crowds from both the local community and visitors between Friday, 1st November and Sunday, 3rd November. The opening weekend featured a celebration of Newquay’s rich culture, identity, and heritage, with a diverse line-up of creative activities, wellness workshops, and community-focused events.

Opening Highlights: Music, Art, and Community Spirit

The festival launched with an electrifying performance by Cornwall’s seven-piece female folk band, Kana, who played a memorable set in St Michael’s Church by candlelight. Saturday morning ushered in family-friendly activities, such as the Bellyboard Painting Workshop for Kids led by local surf-crafting experts, Dick Pearce and Friends. The BIG Newquay Market on Killacourt offered a bustling array of stalls, showcasing local art, food, and crafts. Meanwhile, Blystra’s Autumnal Crafting workshops provided drop-in sessions for families seeking hands-on fun.

Attendees also experienced Seascape: A Live Art Event and Auction, where six local artists created pieces inspired by the dramatic Atlantic seascape. The auction for these works is live and accepting bids until Monday, 11th November at 9 pm, offering art lovers the chance to own locally inspired creations while supporting community partners.

Photo Credit: Mike Searle

Workshops and Unique Experiences

The weekend was packed with engaging workshops and interactive experiences. A sold-out session at A State of Mind Studio combined Tension & Trauma Releasing Exercises with a relaxing sound bath, offering participants a deeply restorative experience. Over on Towan Beach, Newquay Marine Group and Newquay Wild hosted a Beach Art Workshop, inviting participants to create art using driftwood and seashells collected from the shoreline. Tor Pottery’s Magnet Making activity allowed participants to craft unique, personalised souvenirs.

Energy and joy flowed through the BIG Movement Pop-Up Community Workshops and 4Motion’s dance sessions at the Killacourt Bandstand, inviting attendees to participate in feel-good, spontaneous dance. These uplifting workshops will return on Saturday, 9th November.

The Wildlife Walk provided nature enthusiasts with the opportunity to explore Newquay’s local flora and fauna, guided by knowledgeable locals who shared insights about the area’s ecosystem. Film fans enjoyed a Matinee curated by the Cornwall Film Festival, featuring a range of Cornish short films that highlighted regional talent as part of the Cream of Cornish Weekender, which included performances like Kana by Candlelight, LOL-A-Day Destination, and Dracula The Vampyr.

Looking Ahead: What to Expect for Weekend Two

The festival continues from Friday, 8th to Sunday, 10th November, inviting the community and visitors to immerse themselves further in Newquay’s offerings. With events booking up fast, attendees are encouraged to plan their itinerary and secure tickets via www.benewquayfestival.co.uk.

Phil Strugnell will headline Seaspace’s first Artist in Residence programme, hosting free events from Friday to Sunday, including a DJ launch evening, an artist workshop, and an abstract collage session. Upstart Theatre’s interactive storytelling game, Red Planet: Revolution, offers participants the chance to shape the narrative in a team-based experience. Additionally, To The Moon & Back will host free workshops, including a VRCade Play Party and the Build a Secret World Craft Workshop.

For those seeking relaxation, the Saunassa Sessions will provide a Nordic-inspired retreat to unwind and recharge.

For a complete list of festival events and booking details, visit the Be Newquay Festival’s What’s On page or follow their updates on Instagram at @benewquay_festival. Early bookings are advised as spaces are limited.

Festival Backing and Broader Goals

The Be Newquay Festival is part of Experience Newquay, a two-year project commissioned by Cornwall Council and funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme. With an investment of £365,426, the project is designed to strengthen Newquay’s visitor economy by highlighting off-season attractions, supporting local businesses, and fostering sustainable community engagement.

The festival is supported by Newquay BID and Visit Newquay, aligning with the aim to revitalize town centres and enhance local enterprises.

The Be Newquay Festival continues to spotlight the best of Newquay’s cultural and creative landscape, ensuring that locals and visitors alike can experience the town in a unique and engaging way.

Photo Credit: Mike Searle