Short answer: St Ives Feast Day is held on the first Monday after 3 February, so Monday 8 February 2027. Based on past years, a procession leaves around 9.30am, the silver ball is hurled from St Ia Church at 10.30am, and it is returned to the Mayor at noon. Roads close in the morning. The 2027 timetable is not yet published.
Feast Monday is the oldest day in the St Ives calendar, and one of Cornwall's most unusual street customs. A small silver ball is hurled to the crowd from the church, the town gets a bit chaotic for a couple of hours, and then it all goes back to normal. It is free, it happens in the quiet of February, and the town is at its best for it.
The hurling game is played on the first Monday after 3 February, according to Calendar Customs. In 2027 that is Monday 8 February. The feast marks the dedication of St Ia's Parish Church in 1434. Because it is a Monday, it often combines well with the weekend before (a church service the day before is part of the programme).
The 2027 programme has not been published yet, so this is based on the town council's 2026 timetable and the 2025 schedule, which have been very similar. Please check the St Ives Town Council website in January.
In 2026 the town council moved the Monday events from the St Ives Guildhall to St Ia Church because of building work on the Guildhall forecourt, so check where the 2027 events are based. The council's 2026 timetable also had a service at St Uny Church, Lelant, on the Sunday a week earlier and a Mayor's parade and church service at St Ia on the Sunday before Feast Monday. Treat those as a pattern, not a promise.
According to Calendar Customs, only children compete for the ball, though anyone may watch. The council's page does not say how to take part, so ask the council at enquiries@stives-tc.gov.uk if you want to know. If you want a good view, stand near the church or on the route down towards the harbour and the sea front, where the ball is thrown towards children on the sand in some years.
The 2026 council notice said roads close between 9am and 11am for safety, and the same is likely, but check. St Ives is hard to park in at any time, and a Monday in February is quieter than summer but not empty. Arriving by train on the branch line from St Erth avoids the parking problem, and St Ives station is a short walk from the church. Our St Ives in winter guide covers what is open, and the St Ives guide has the rest.
It is a half-day event, so plan the rest of the day. The Boxing Day guide describes the sort of winter day St Ives gives you, with beaches and harbour-side pubs open. The Feast is also a week before the February half term, so it makes a calmer outing than the school holiday. If you are looking for more custom-led events through the winter, see what's on in Cornwall in December 2026 and New Year's Eve in St Ives.
St Ia's Parish Church has 4.5 from 156 Google reviews, and reviewers note the church holds events through the year.
Feast Monday is a working day, and the council closed roads from 9am to 11am in 2026, so leave the car outside town if you can. Visit St Ives says the old Lelant Saltings park and ride is closed and points people to St Erth Station Park & Ride (TR27 6JW), which has 4.5 from 501 Google reviews.
If you drive in, St. Ives Trenwith Car Park (TR26 1DD) has 4.0 from 1,114 Google reviews. Reviewers describe a walk of about 10 minutes downhill and 15 minutes back up, and the Visit St Ives page lists a Trenwith to Royal Square bus from 10am, but does not say if it runs in February. Our St Ives parking guide and park and ride review have more.
The council's 2026 notice covers the timetable and the 9am to 11am road closure but says nothing about toilets, accessibility, children's safety or dogs. For those, email the council at enquiries@stives-tc.gov.uk. Here is honest guidance until it publishes more.
Our St Ives step-free beaches guide is useful for the rest of the day if you need flatter ground.
You will want to be in town before the 9.40am procession, and February hours can be shorter than summer ones, so check before you walk over. These three are within a short walk of the church, with opening times as Google lists them:
After the noon ceremony at the War Memorial, lunch places fill quickly. The St Ives page lists more.
Monday 8 February 2027. The hurling game is played on the first Monday after 3 February.
At 10.30am from St Ia Church in 2025 and 2026. The 2027 timetable is not yet published, so check the town council.
Calendar Customs says only children compete for the ball, and adults watch. Check with St Ives Town Council if you want to take part.
Yes, it is a street event with no admission charge, though roads close in the morning.
A small ball encased in silver that is blessed at St Ia's Well, hurled from the church, and returned to the Mayor by noon. The winner gets a silver coin.
Visit St Ives says Lelant Saltings is closed and recommends parking at St Erth station and taking the train, which takes under 15 minutes. Check prices and train times before you go.
No rule is published. It is a crowded street event, so a short lead or leaving the dog at home is sensible.
It is possible but the streets are narrow and hilly. Choose a spot near the church and stay put.
Scoff Troff Cafe in Market Place is listed open from 8am daily and Yellow Canary on Fore Street from 7am. Check hours first.
Times, prices and dates are the businesses' and organisers' to change, so check before you travel. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.
See the full St Ives guide, filtered by who's with you.
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