Best things to do in Cornwall during May Half Term (and throughout the month!)
Long sandy beach at Godrevy, Cornwall
May often brings the best weather of the year to Cornwall, making it the perfect time to enjoy the beautiful coastline and outdoor activities. With long daylight hours full of sunshine, it’s one of our favourite months for walking the South West Coast Path and marveling at the flourishing spring flowers and wildlife.
Pretty pink sea thrift lines the cliff edges alongside forageable sea beet and seals bottle in the coves below. Fields are ablaze with wildflowers, ponies graze in coastal fields and seabirds whirl overhead. We even look forward to the drive to The Cornish Place at this time of year, because of the bright montbretia, violets and red campion which explode from Cornwall’s roadside hedges.
In addition to the sunny weather and abundant landscapes, May in Cornwall brings family days out, food festivals and cultural events.
Keep reading to discover our complete guide on the best things to do in Cornwall in May 2026.
The best things to do in Cornwall May Bank Holiday 2026
The early May bank holiday weekend (Friday 1st May to Monday 4th May) promises a series of cultural events including some of Cornwall’s best may day festivals.
The Boy at the Back of the Class at the Hall for Cornwall
When: Tuesday 28th April to Saturday 2nd May
Where: Hall for Cornwall
Told from a child’s perspective, The Boy at the Back of the Class is a heartfelt and humorous performance about kindness, compassion and friendship. Awarded with a Best Family Show Olivier Award nomination, it follows the story of schoolboy Ahmet and how his classmates plan to reunite him with his family after fleeing from a wartorn nation.
Anna Phoebe at The Minack Theatre
When: Friday 1st May 2026
Where: The Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
Join award-winning composer Anna Phoebe for an evening of cinematic, violin-led soundscapes in Cornwall’s famous outdoor theatre venue – The Minack Theatre. Inspired by the natural landscapes and technological experimentation, Anna’s music blends raw emotion and cutting edge sounds which bridge classical, electronic and cinematic music.
May Day St Ives
When: Monday 4th May 2026
Where: Guildhall, West Pier and Sloop Slipway, St Ives
St Ives is a fantastic day out at any time, with its cobbled streets, the Tate Gallery, and independent cafes and shops, but tying it in with May Day adds fun to the experience for the whole family. Be swept up in the community atmosphere of choir singing, maypole dancing and the town procession, then head to the harbour or beach for a pasty and an ice cream afterwards.
St Agnes Bolster Festival
When: Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd May 2026
Where: St Agnes
Discover the legend of the Giant Bolster at St Agnes’ May Day – who legend tells was killed by the town’s saint and namesake after he fell in love with her. Festivities include a re-enactment of the legend with a procession of the giant and characters from the story, along with a lantern procession, town band, bonfire and barbecue.
The best things to do in Cornwall May Half Term 2026
The spring May bank holiday weekend and half-term (Friday 21st May to Monday 1st June) promises a range of exciting family friendly days out and festivals.
Shore Safari at National Maritime Museum Cornwall
When: Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026
Where: National Maritime Museum Cornwall, Falmouth
Delve into the secret world of rock pools with The Rock Pool Project at National Maritime Museum Cornwall. Featuring a mobile rock pool, participants will learn all about the sea life in Cornish waters and top tips for rock pooling, along with creature identification. The National Maritime Museum also includes multiple stories of exhibitions linked to the coastline and ocean and is a great day out for both adults and children.
Falmouth Food Festival
When: Friday 22nd to Monday 25th May 2026
Where: Church Street car park, Falmouth
A harbourside gathering to kick off the summer, Falmouth Food Festival brings together a love of food with Falmouth’s maritime and creative heritage. Independently run over four days, expect craft beer, local street food vendors, chef demos and a makers market – along with live music and a friendly buzz which means all ages are welcome. It’s non-ticketed so pop in for an hour or stay all day – whatever you fancy.
Great Estate Festival
When: Friday 29th to Sunday 31st May 2026
Where: Scorrier House, Scorrier
A ten-minute drive from The Cornish Place, The Great Estate Festival is one of Cornwall’s best family friendly events – where fancy dress combines with vintage fairground rides, circus skills and a garden fête atmosphere. It’s also a great event without children, with headlining artists, silent discos, secret drinking areas and a wellbeing zone, meaning there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy.
Family friendly shows at The Minack Theatre
When: Various dates
Where: Minack Theatre, Porthcurno
Choose from several entertaining family friendly shows at The Minack Theatre during the May half term, including: Myths and Monsters which leads viewers through a mystical and magical world using puppetry, live music, storytelling and comedy (25th to 27th May 2026); The Piskie in the Garden which follows a story of mischievous piskies as they torment a hapless gardner (29th May to 28th August 2026); or King Arthur for a tale of legendary family fun.
Open Studios
When: Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st May 2026
Where: Throughout Cornwall
Helping to connect the public with Cornish artists and the stories behind their art, Cornwall Open Studios sees local creatives and craftspeople open their homes and studios for behind-the-scenes access. Including painters, potters, jewellery makers and plenty more, you’ll have the opportunity to browse original art, meet artists and learn more about their creative processes – and to buy works directly from creators. Head to the website to browse artists profiles and plan your visit.
Other things to do in Cornwall May 2026
Looking for more things to see and do in Cornwall in May 2026? There’s plenty more on offer throughout the county.
Helston Flora Day
When: Friday 8th May 2026
Where: Helston
Celebrate the arrival of spring at one of the UK’s best-loved May Day festivals. Helston Flora Day is an all-day event which involves couples dancing through the street, houses and shops – along with street fairs and the Han Al Tow pageant which tells the history of Helston and some of its key historic characters.
St Ives Food and Drink Festival
When: Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May 2026
Where: Porthminster Beach, St Ives
Another fantastic food festival with free entry during the day, St Ives Food Festival takes place on the beautiful Porthminster beach, bringing street food, live music and chef demos by leading culinary experts to the Cornish coastline. Keep an eye out for their masterclass schedule too, where you can learn new skills in the kitchen. Compact but with plenty to offer, the festival is a family-friendly stress-free day out and in the evening it becomes a ticketed event with more live music.
Bands in the Sands
When: Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May 2026
Where: Perranporth beach
Hosted by the UK’s only bar on the sand, Bands in the Sands promises a one-of-a-kind music event overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Dance your socks off and sip on refreshing beer as the sun sinks into the sea. Friday night is a Beach Country Festival, and Saturday brings headlining act Wilkinson. Both evenings start at 6 pm with after parties going on until 2am for the ultimate beach party. There’s no accommodation, but Perranporth is a short drive from The Cornish Place, where you can recover on our peaceful farm afterwards.
FORM Art Festival
When: Friday 15th to Sunday 17th May 2026
Where: Various venues across Falmouth
Celebrating the visual arts heritage and creative culture of Falmouth, FORM Art Festival brings a three-day series of events to one of Cornwall’s most vibrant coastal towns. A not-for-profit organised by local makers and artists, expect talks, workshops and exhibitions which introduce you to local creatives and provide opportunities to learn more about the visual arts. There will also be a three-day art fair at Falmouth’s Princess Pavilion, where you can discover and purchase works from talented Cornish artists.
Where to stay
Whether you’re looking for a half term holiday, an early summer escape or a romantic week away, our luxury self-catered holiday cottages on a farm in Cornwall are perfectly positioned for May’s best events. Centrally located it’s easy to get around and see the best of the county, whilst also providing a quiet and tranquil retreat to head back to afterwards.
Get in touch for more information or book now.
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