Thousands expected in Padstow to celebrate annual Christmas Festival
It has been listed as one of the top 11 'best Christmas markets in the UK' by National Geographic
The famous Padstow Christmas Festival is underway.
The event, which is believed to be one of the largest of its kind across the country, will welcome around 50,000 people across the four days.
As well as cooking demonstrations by a Who's Who of top chefs, including Rick Stein, Valentine Warner and Paul Ainsworth, the festival plays host to more than 100 food, drink and craft producers from across Devon and Cornwall.
The Festival’s Chef line-up includes: Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth, Michael Caines, Valentine Warner, Jack Stein, Emily Scott, Matt Tebbutt, Jude Kereama, Rick Toogood, Alex Hollywood and many more, all of whom volunteer their time and efforts to this treasured event.
All profits go back in to local charities
Tina Evans, organiser and founder, said: "The festival has grown year on year and now the event is where it is today. I am really excited about it and I'm really proud of the fact we've grown as much as we have and also encourage world-class chefs to come along, take up their time and demo at the festival.
"A lot of people actually put it into their calendars so they come back year on year. We have a particular family who come down every year from Scotland, for the week, and bring their dog!"
The Friday of the Festival is all about the community - with family-friendly festive activities taking place across the town, such as Santa's grotto, lantern parade with local school children, live music on the bandstand, carol singing and the much-anticipated firework display over the harbour.
There will be the arrival of Father Christmas as well as a dramatic firework display to finish on the quayside.
Tina added: "The Friday in my book is the most special part of the festival. We start with the children's lantern parade and the arrival of Father Christmas which starts at 6pm and they parade around the town with their lanterns."
For more information on the Padstow Christmas Festival, you can visit our Whats On page.