Short answer: Porthleven's Christmas lights switch-on is usually on the first Friday of December, which would make it Friday 4 December 2026, but the date hasn't been confirmed yet. Last year it was Friday 5 December 2025, with a Christmas market at the Shipyard from midday to 5pm and the lights switched on at 7pm, as part of a weekend of festivities.
Porthleven's harbour lights are paid for by the community through crowdfunding, and the switch-on is a proper village night: brass band, mulled wine and the harbour lit up.
Not confirmed yet. It's usually the first Friday of December, which this year is Friday 4 December. We'll update this as soon as the lights committee confirms.
In earlier years Porthleven Band played from 6:30pm, with mulled wine and mince pies before the lights came on at 7pm.
Kittos Field fills on switch-on night; it's free after 4pm. Arrive early, or park at the free Highburrow car park and walk down. Porthleven parking.
Book dinner: best restaurants in Porthleven. Or grab fish and chips and eat on the harbour.
Helston, Marazion and Mousehole are all close: Mousehole lights and Montol · Christmas in Cornwall 2026.
Times, prices and dates are the organisers' and businesses' to change — check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
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