Head of St John Carried Through Penzance to Mark Start of Week-Long Golowan Festival

Published On: 23 June 2025Last Updated: 23 June 2025By CornishStuff

Golowan Festival begins with symbolic Civic Parade

The Golowan Festival officially got underway in Penzance yesterday morning, Sunday 22nd June, with a ceremonial parade through the town centre marking the start of a week-long celebration of arts, performance, culture and tradition.

This year’s festival, now in its 35th year since being revived, is themed “On the Crest of a Wave”, a nod to the town’s deep connection with the Cornish coast, local sea life and love of the ocean.

A tradition rooted in Penzance’s past

Penzance, which translates from the Cornish ‘Pennsans’ as ‘Holy Head’, took that history literally today. As part of the Civic Parade, a symbolic severed head of St John the Baptist — the town’s patron saint — was carried on a plate from St John’s Hall to St John the Baptist Church for the Feast of St John Service. The head is a reference to the image that appeared on the town’s common seal adopted in 1614.

Led by the Penzance Silver Band, the procession included around 50 local dignitaries, including Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds, who said:

“Golowan is a festival like no other, and I’m proud that Penzance Council is once again supporting the amazing team at Golowan CIC and the dedicated band of volunteers who make it happen. This year’s theme chimes perfectly with the burgeoning ‘Penzance Renaissance’, and I have every faith that Golowan will continue riding the wave of success for years to come.”

📷The head of St John the Baptist is carried through Penzance in the Civic Parade for the Feast of St John Service on Sunday 22 June to mark the start of week-long Golowan Festival. Photo Penzance Council

Mazey Day and what’s still to come

The Golowan Festival was revived in 1991 as a one-day event, Mazey Day, and with continued support from Penzance Council has grown into a full week of activity. Mazey Day, now the main attraction, takes place on Saturday 28th June and is expected to draw tens of thousands of people to the town.

The Mayor and Mock Mayor will address the crowds from the Mayors’ Platform, followed by parades at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Hundreds of schoolchildren and community groups will take part, marching with giant wicker sculptures and accompanied by local bands.

This year, a brand new event space in Penlee Park has been introduced. It will host entertainment, activities for all ages, food stalls, a bar, craft traders and a new ‘Tree Lounge’ area organised by PZN Youth, aimed at providing a hangout space for young people.

Backed by the council

Golowan Festival CIC, which won the contract to deliver the festival until 2027, continues to be supported through partnership and funding from Penzance Council.