Newquay at Christmas: The Lights Switch-On With Fireworks, Then the Boxing Day Swims

Short answer: The lights switch-on is a Friday in late November, afternoon into evening, with a market and fireworks — free. On Boxing Day there's a beach swim at Watergate Bay in the morning and the harbour 'Dip for CLIC' at 1:30pm. Neither needs a wetsuit and both need you to arrive early.

This is one of our town-by-town winter guides — the full county picture is in Christmas and New Year in Cornwall 2026.

The switch-on

Newquay does its Christmas lights properly: a Friday in late November with a market, live music and carols through the afternoon, the switch-on itself, then a fireworks display. It's free and family-shaped — the town centre is pedestrianised for the evening, so pushchairs and small children are fine as long as you're in position before the fireworks and can bear a slow walk out afterwards.

2026 dates: not yet announced — a Friday in the last week of November in recent years. We update this line the moment organisers confirm.

Where to park

Centre car parks fill by mid-afternoon on switch-on night. Manor Road Car Park Newquay and Mount Wise Car Park Newquay are the ones to try, or park at the Newquay Railway Station end and walk in. If you're staying in Newquay, walk.

Boxing Day: two swims, two moods

• Watergate Bay, morning. A beach swim run from the surf school end, with hot chocolate afterwards. Wide open, plenty of room to watch, a good one for families where some are swimming and some very much aren't. Watergate Bay Beach has a big car park that still fills.
• Newquay harbour, 1:30pm — the 'Dip for CLIC'. The town's own, off the harbour slip, raising money for Young Lives vs Cancer, with fancy dress and a crowded quayside of spectators. Arrive well before 1pm to see anything.

What to know before you go in

• No wetsuits is the tradition at most Cornish festive swims; check the organiser's page for each.
• Get in, get out. Two minutes is a swim. The cold does strange things after five.
• Dry robe or big towel and warm layers ready on the sand, and a flask.
• Children: in the shallows with an adult holding a hand, and out fast.

And the rest of the season

Lappa Valley, ten minutes inland, runs Father Christmas trains on weekends from late November — book. The Boxing Day walk is the headland: Towan Head Newquay out past the Huer's Hut, blowy and glorious. Our Newquay guide has where's open for lunch.