This Weekend in Cornwall: 16–18 October 2026

Short answer: The big one is Mevagissey Shanty Festival, Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October, free across about 20 venues. On Saturday 17 October, Eden's ice rink opens and Bodmin Jail's Trick or Treat Trail starts. Half term begins the following weekend.

The headline: Mevagissey Shanty Festival

Friday 16 to Sunday 18 October, with a fundraising gala night on Thursday 15 October. Every performance is free, in around 20 venues across Mevagissey and Pentewan, with a free shuttle bus between the two. Parking in Mevagissey is tight, so arrive early or park in Pentewan. Full guide: Mevagissey Shanty Festival 2026.

Also this weekend

• Eden's ice rink opens, Saturday 17 October. General skate £13.50 adults, £10.50 children; Eden admission on top. Eden ice rink 2026.
• Bodmin Jail Trick or Treat Trail starts, Saturday 17 October, included with entry, alongside the Haunted Gallery. Bodmin Jail at Halloween.
• parkrun, Saturday 9am. Ten free 5k runs across the county: every parkrun in Cornwall.
• Dogs are back on Cornwall's council beaches until May. Pick one: where to go with the dog.

Next weekend: half term starts

• Saturday 24 October: Witch Festival Cornwall at Enys Gardens, the Newquay Zombie Crawl, and Halloweden opens at Eden (to 1 November).
• Saturday 31 October: Earthwave, the world record surf attempt in Newquay, now on Halloween.
• Half term: 26 to 30 October for most Cornish schools. Plans by town: October half term in Cornwall.
• Bonfire Night is Thursday 5 November; every display is in Bonfire Night in Cornwall 2026.

If it rains

Pick an indoor pool from Cornwall's indoor pools, or try soft play in Cornwall by town.

The bigger picture: what's on in Cornwall in November.

Dates, prices and times are the organisers' to change — check the official page before you travel or book. Spotted something we've got wrong? Tell us and we'll fix it.