Truro starts first FULL Christmas celebrations since pandemic with Festive Friday
It covers everything from Christmas markets to the return of the reindeer trail
Last updated 19th Nov 2021
Truro is launching its first full Christmas celebrations since the coronavirus pandemic with Festive Friday.
Events begin on Friday 19th November with the switching on of the Christmas lights, as well as markets and the return of the famous reindeer trail!
What can we expect from Christmas in Truro?
From 3pm on Friday 19th November, Pirate FM’s Johnny Cowling and Lucy Start will be broadcasting from the stage in Boscawen Street ahead of the Christmas lights' switch-on.
There will be special entertainment at 6.30pm organised by Hall for Cornwall and then the lights will be switched-on by Johnny Cowling, Truro’s Town Crier, Lionel Knight, and cast members from Hall for Cornwall’s Christmas Show Cinderella.
Following the switch-on, there will be a celebratory parade around Truro featuring music, performers and Father Christmas in his sleigh.
Duchy Fairs will be on Lemon Quay with their Big Festive Cornwall Shop Small Market alongside Truro Farmers Market. Both markets will be open until 9pm on Festive Friday. These two markets will also be taking place on Lemon Quay all day on 20th November, with over 60 traders for the two-day special.
Alongside the city centre lights being switched on for Festive Friday, there will be extra sparkle coming to Truro. Part of Victoria Gardens is being lit up for the festive season with new Christmas lights and the reindeer trail is back where many of Truro’s shop windows will be decorated with Christmas reindeer lights.
From 24th November, five late night shopping Wednesdays are taking place giving ample chances to explore Truro’s wide range of independent and high street shops, and bars and restaurants.
There will be another festive market to enjoy with Truro Farmers Market’s BIG Christmas Market supported by Truro BID on Lemon Quay until Christmas Eve.
This will be open until 9pm on Wednesdays, along with a selection of street food and drink stalls on Boscawen Street.
On Late Night shopping Wednesdays there will be entertainment dotted around as well as large-scale projections on to two buildings in Boscawen Street and River Street.
Every Saturday from 27th November until 19th December, shoppers can get in to the Christmas spirit with entertainment, street food and drink in Boscawen Street, and the BIG Christmas Market on Lemon Quay.
The main shopping streets will be totally traffic-free on late night shopping Wednesdays from 3pm and all day on Saturdays from 27th November, to help give a more enjoyable shopping experience.
As well his appearance on Festive Friday, Father Christmas will be in his grotto at Truro Cathedral from 1st December on four Wednesdays. Coppice Theatre will be helping to bring the man himself to Truro with a new unique storytelling and grotto experience for families.
Finding Father Christmas at Truro Cathedral will involve helping the elves find Father Christmas in the cathedral and hearing festive stories along the way.
Towards the end of the 30 minutes experience each child will get to meet and talk to Father Christmas and receive a gift.
Back for their third year in Truro with Jack Frost shows and for the first time in Victoria Gardens, Coppice Theatre will be performing their new walkabout show.
Jack Frost 5: Lost in Time will be on Wednesday 15th, and Wednesday 22nd December, with performances after dark in the gardens amongst the new Christmas Lights.
The show involves finding Jack Frost who has got himself lost, and needs the audience help to find him.
It is a chance to join Celia the Elf and help search for Jack Frost and hear wonderfully wintery tales along the way.
The Christmas lights switch-on, Festive Friday parade, late night shopping, Coppice Theatre shows, entertainment, projections and traffic-free streets are being delivered by Truro BID, who have been working closely with various partners including Visit Truro.
Alun Jones, Truro BID Manager said: "We’re delighted to be working with so many partners to bring new events, new Christmas Lights, new outdoor markets and excitement to our great little city this festive season.
"We’re looking forward to working with Pirate FM, Coppice Theatre and Duchy Fairs again and are thrilled that Truro Cathedral has agreed to host Truro’s Father Christmas Grotto experience.
"We’re also very pleased to welcome back the Hall for Cornwall. With so much going on we’re confident that locals and residents will come in to shop, eat and drink, and enjoy Christmas in Truro".
To end this year’s festivities on Friday 31st December there will be Family New Year Fireworks at 7.30pm and Midnight New Year Fireworks.
You can find more details of all the events in Truro on the Visit Truro website or on the social media pages.