Best places to celebrate New Year in Cornwall
With the end of the year nearly here, we can look back on the past 12 months fondly and find a reason to celebrate the forthcoming year.
Every New Year’s Eve should be special and unforgettable as everyone is looking forward to new beginnings whilst celebrating with family and friends. However, deciding on where to celebrate can sometimes prove difficult due to there being just too much choice.
Cornwall can serve as a perfect location for any celebration, but even more so when the new year comes around. From watching a spectacular fireworks display, lighting up the sky, and live music to a quiet, intimate dinner, the county has so many different activities that you can do to bring in the New Year. In this guide, we take you through some of the best places where you can celebrate.
Best places to celebrate New Year in Cornwall
- Looe
- Polperro
- The Watering Hole
- Truro
- Newquay
- St Ives
- The Lost Gardens of Heligan
Looe
Looe is a renowned holiday destination due to its versatility, which can be enjoyed whatever time of year. Of course, during the summer, you will find the cobbled streets bustling, the beaches full of those searching for a lazy day basking in the sunshine. However, during the colder months, you will find a more relaxed atmosphere both in the day and night, although there is still plenty of fun to be had.
Looe is a wonderful destination to celebrate the New Year, as the pretty seaside town normally hosts one of the best New Year’s Eve events in Cornwall. The charming cobblestone streets and waterfront of Looe burst with vibrant costumes and fun. The town’s venues are abuzz with activity, offering various entertainment options. You can find more information here.
Additionally, Looe is renowned for being a great place to watch the fireworks display, a dazzling spectacle of colour. Families can revel in the 6pm show before venturing into a pub or restaurant for a delicious dinner. Alternatively, couples and night owls can embrace the midnight display for a romantic experience. The festive spirit permeates Looe throughout the evening and into the early hours, promising a memorable time no matter where you find yourself.
For those seeking an adventurous start to 2024, joining the locals for a refreshing dip in the ocean on New Year’s Day is the ultimate way to kick off the New Year!
If you want to experience the great atmosphere and buzz that will still be evident around the town, then looking to stay at caravan parks in Cornwall is the choice of accommodation for many over the festive period in the build-up to the celebrations.
READ MORE: A guide to Looe
Polperro
Polperro is usually a pretty, quaint and quiet little coastal village, but it transforms into a hive of activity when New Year’s Eve arrives.
The village usually turns into a giant fancy dress party, as visitors often circulate between the five pubs and the British Legion to wish everyone a happy New Year, but when the clock strikes 12, almost everyone in the village meets at the Big Green in the heart of the village.
The village really does showcase a great party atmosphere, and like Looe, this little seaside resort is a fantastic place to see in the New Year.
The Watering Hole
The Watering Hole is the UK’s only bar on a beach, and each year, it puts on an event to enjoy in the New Year. Located right in the middle of Perranporth Beach, The Watering Hole is set to be no different this year, as you will be able to see in the arrival of 2024 at their Craig Charles funk & soul New Year’s Eve party. Tickets for the event are £37 (plus a £3.00 booking fee), and tickets can be found here.
READ MORE: Restaurants with a view in Cornwall
Truro
Being the capital of Cornwall, Truro is, of course, going to be a great place to visit on New Year’s Eve. Here, you can experience a great night-time vibe as most bars will be putting on parties and celebrations.
If you’re looking for New Year’s Eve fireworks in Cornwall, then there will be two fireworks displays that you can enjoy on Lemon Quay.
According to Visit Truro, there will be a family display at 7.30pm that will be perfect to let your children join in on the celebrations, and there will also be a midnight fireworks display for adults to see in the New Year.
If you love a bit of shopping, then on New Year’s Day, you could browse through the independent and national shops located in the city and grab a bargain in the January sales.
Alternatively, you can enjoy some entertainment at the Hall for Cornwall with shows such as Peter Pan taking place, or you can visit the amazing cathedral.
Newquay
Widely recognised for its surfing, beaches and nightlife, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Newquay is one of the best places to see in the New Year.
Every year at midnight, the Newquay Town Council puts on a spectacular fireworks display at the Newquay Town Harbour.
After the fireworks, you can join the masses in fancy dress in Newquay’s pubs and clubs and join in all the New Year’s songs.
Central Square in Newquay is another popular destination to count down to midnight, but beware, it can get very busy.
READ MORE: The best places to swim in Cornwall
St Ives
New Year’s Eve in St Ives, Cornwall, is another great place to celebrate to see 2024 in with a bang. Crowds often gather down at the harbour at midnight to wave goodbye to the old year and say hello to the new one.
Most people wear fancy dress, and it is a tradition for adults and kids alike to wear a costume and join in the impromptu parade that heads down Fore Street to the harbour.
Festivities often start early in the evening, and bands generally play at The Guildhall as well. Pubs are usually busy, but the main event is the large fireworks display that happens down at the harbour at midnight.
Heligan Night Garden
For those who have younger children or adults who want to celebrate the New Year but not stay up late, visiting The Lost Gardens of Heligan can be the ideal place to spend the evening.
You will have the opportunity to wander through and discover nature’s wonders, from wildlife celebrations to ancient oak trees. Take your time, savour the scents, toast marshmallows, and enjoy seasonal treats against a festive backdrop on your winter’s evening. Jen, a Cornish blogger at Corners of Cornwall, said:
“The Night Garden is fun for all the family; younger children enjoy the creatures but adults can also enjoy the joy of these creations. The gardens have their own restaurant and also offer several kiosks and a BBQ shack for food along the way. If you’re lucky, you may even find the marshmallow-toasting fire pit!”
This year, kids can join lantern-making workshops every evening from 4pm to 6pm; they will then be able to take their lanterns with them during the walk; however,
These are just some of the amazing New Year’s events that you can enjoy in Cornwall this year. Make sure to check their websites for any updates or changes.
If you are looking for a last-minute stay in Cornwall, you can book a spot at our Looe holiday park, and to read more articles and guides like this; check out our blog section.