Newquay’s Trenance Gardens to Sparkle with Lantern Parade and Christmas Lights

With the Be Newquay Festival underway, locals and visitors alike are preparing for one of the season’s most enchanting highlights. On Friday, 22nd November, Newquay’s Trenance Gardens will glow as the area hosts the town’s first-ever Lantern Parade at this location, alongside the Trenance Trees and Tales Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Lantern Parade to Light Up the Gardens

The Lantern Parade, a beloved festive tradition in Newquay, will begin at 5:30 p.m. from Trenance Carpark and proceed to Trenance Cottages in a captivating display. Organised with Blystra Arts, this event will see hundreds of schoolchildren and community members showcasing hand-crafted lanterns, creating a trail of lights through the scenic Trenance area. Jill Wilmott, Chairman of Trenance Cottages Newquay, said, “It’s such a joy to see all our proactive organisations coming together in this way to mark the start of the Christmas season. Our beautiful light displays around the cottages and gardens, will brighten up the upcoming winter evenings and create a magical atmosphere in the lead up to Christmas.”

Following the Lantern Parade, the Christmas lights will be switched on at 6:30 p.m., illuminating the heritage cottages, the nearby footbridge, and the surrounding gardens with festive cheer.

Festive Activities Continue with Music and Storytelling

The celebrations continue after the lights go on, filling Trenance Gardens with music, storytelling, and seasonal treats. Choir singers and local performers will offer Christmas carols and live music until 9 p.m. Local storytellers, Rob Copeland and Kate Stebbing-Allen, will captivate audiences with festive tales, while the Garden Café and Trenance Cottages will be serving hot drinks and food to keep attendees warm and in the holiday spirit.

Blystra Arts Craft Workshops Ahead of the Parade

In preparation for the Lantern Parade, Blystra Arts is offering crafting sessions for those keen to create lanterns and autumn-themed crafts for the event. The Jar Lantern & Autumn Craft Workshop is scheduled for 2nd November at Killacourt from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Willow Lantern Making Workshop will be held on 16th November at Trenance Heritage Cottages & The Garden Café from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

About the Be Newquay Festival

Trenance Trees and Tales is part of the larger Be Newquay Festival, a new month-long celebration of Newquay’s culture and creativity. Events and workshops are taking place throughout November at various venues across the town. The first weekend kicks off with Groundswell’s Cream of Cornish Weekender (1st – 3rd November), featuring events like Kana by Candlelight and Dracula The Vampyr, with flexible ticket options ensuring the festival remains accessible.

For more information on the Be Newquay Festival, including event details and booking options, visit benewquayfestival.co.uk/events.

About Experience Newquay

Experience Newquay, part of Cornwall Council’s Good Growth Programme, funds this festive lighting project with support from Newquay BID and Visit Newquay. With a £365,426 investment, Experience Newquay aims to support the town’s visitor economy by encouraging year-round tourism. Funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project is designed to boost local enterprises and revitalise town centres and neighbourhoods.