The Feast
of
St John
Help Secure the Future of Golowan
Golowan
19-28 June 26
Golowan Festival is Penzanceโs vibrant 10โday celebration of Cornish culture, creativity and community, transforming the town each June into a colourful hub of music, art and midsummer magic. Rooted in the revived Feast of St John, itโs now one of the South Westโs most loved festivals, drawing thousands for its unique mix of heritage, performance and joyful street celebration.
Penzance comes alive with parades, street theatre, live music, dance, workshops and makersโ markets. The iconic Mazey Day procession fills the streets with giant sculptures and community creations, while the Quay Fair and festival markets showcase local makers, food producers and independent traders.
Golowanโs thriving Fringe scene adds grassroots arts, spoken word, comedy, exhibitions and intimate gigs, championing emerging talent and diverse voices. In the evenings, Marquee Nights bring live bands, DJs and performances ranging from traditional Cornish music to contemporary and global sounds.
At its heart, Golowan is powered by community spirit. Created by and for Penzance, it celebrates local creativity, cultural heritage and inclusive participation, a joyful midsummer festival where tradition, imagination and community come together in spectacular style.
WHAT'S ON
Friends of Golowan Launch Party
7pm @ The Ritz, Penzance
Entry: ยฃ7.50 – Tickets On Sale Now
Kick off the Golowan season with a night of music and community spirit featuring:
The Golowan Band
Amelia Acheson
Wild Blue and Yonder
No Rif Raf
Joe Doyle
Marmalade Shed
All artists are performing for free to support the festival that โmakes Penzance โ Penzance!โ
CIVIC CHURCH PARADE FOR THE FEAST SERVICES:
Sunday 21 June
Dy'Sul 21 mis Metheven
10.30am START
Civic Parade and Church Service at St Johns.
Leaves St Johns Hall at 10.30am โ service starts at 11am.
TORCHLIT PROCESSION:
Tuesday 23 June
Dy'Meurth 23 mis Metheven
9.30pm START
Top of Chapel Street to celebrate St. Johns Eve and the Midsummer Solstice.
The torchlit parade is always held on St Johnโs Eve, which is traditionally 23 June each year.
MOCK MAYOR ELECTIONS
Thursday 25 June
Dy'Yow 25 mis Metheven
6pm | Golowan Marquee | Harbourside Carpark
Mock Mayor Elections – 18:00โ23:30
A riotous Golowan tradition where locals lampoon civic life in an evening of satire, mischief and music. Expect big laughs, bold characters and a full-tilt community celebration, with performances from The Regalos, Mock Mayor Elections Band and Night Motor.
FREE event
MAZEY EVE FIREWORKS & PENGLAZ
Friday 26 June
Dy'Gwener 26 mis Metheven
FREE Event
10:45pm | Penzance Harbour & 11pm | Barbican next to the Dolphin
Quieter fireworks using low bursting effects.
FREE ENTRY (Donations to Golowan Welcome)
Come and be dazzled by the Golowan Fireworks, lighting up the harbour in a burst of midsummer colour. The best views can be found along Abbey Slip and Ross Bridge, where the reflections dance across the water.
Then, as night deepens, be drawn into the magic of knocking for Penglaz at 11pm by the Barbican beside the Dolphin Pub. Crowds gather as musicians strike up and dancers begin to twirl, crying โAn Eye! An Eye!โ while the serpent dance weaves through the narrow streets. Hands join, the head of the serpent rushes forward, and the whole procession threads its way through Penzance before returning to the harbourside.
Traditionally held on St Johnโs Eve (23 June), these midsummer fires once marked the turning of the year, warding off mischief and celebrating renewal. Today, the tradition lives on with the Mazey Eve Fireworks at Albert Pier, drawing hundreds to witness this spectacular burst of light. When the final sparks fade, the Serpent Dance winds into motion, a joyful, communal procession that keeps this ancient Cornish custom alive in the heart of the town.
MAZEY DAY CELEBRATIONS
Saturday 27 June
Dy'Sadorn 27 mis Metheven
FREE Event 10am START
Mazey Day Parade Times
Mazey Day Parade Times
10.00 โ Civic Procession From St Johnโs Hall โ up Clarence Street โ round and down Causewayhead โ along Market Jew Street โ Market House for the Mayor & Mock Mayor address.
11.00 โ Crowst Parade From St Johnโs Hall โ down Market Jew Street โ return.
13.00 โ Dinner Parade From St Johnโs Hall โ down Market Jew Street โ return.
15.00 โ Crib Parade From St Johnโs Hall โ down Market Jew Street โ return.
16.45 โ Men and Maids Serpent Dance through the streets of Penzance with the Golowan Band, starting at St Johnโs Hall.
Please see our Golowan Festival Programme for a full list of events.
Mazey Day Music & Performance Stages
Acorn Theatre Steps
11.00 – Just Ukes
12.00 – Grace & Johanna
12.50 – SCAMPZ!
13.40 – No Riff Raff
14.30 – Hannah Johnsonย
15.15 – The Gleavesย
15.50 – Liam Jordan
16.30 – Petty Criminals
Queen’s Square Mazey Day
12.00 – Beauty of Diagrams
13.00 โ Joe Smith
14.00 – Fungus
15.00 – What the Goose?
16.00 – Du Glas
17.00 – Hanterhir
The Globe & Ale House, Queens Square
12.30 โ Mr. T
13.30 – Tony Fox
14.30 – End of the Line Blues Band
15.30 – Firewalk (Jon Jones & Ged Kingsford)
16.30 – Guy Harandonย
The Union Hotel, Chapel Street
12.00 Dave Miller
13.00 The Meadowlarks
14.00 Dan Levine
15.00 Fishing for Compliments
16.00 Pagan Teapot
17.00 IGNATZ
Farmerโs Arms Mazey Day Stage, Causewayhead
12.30 โ Pendansย
13.40 โ The Ghost of Fishboy Tractorย
14.50 โ Mint
16.00 โ The Electric Timothyย
17.10 โ The Laganย
Morrab Gardens Bandstand Mazey Dayย
11.00 – St. Erth Concert Band
12.00 – Barbed Choir
13.00 – Cape Cornwall Singers
14.00 – Richard Gibbons & Malcolm Star
15.00 – George Wakfer
16.00 – Tim Ridley
17.00 – St. Erth Concert Band
Sea Shanty Crews – Penlee Park Community Stage
Monthโs Advance
The Perraners
The Rusty Tubs
Cork An Barbor
Wild Blue & Yonder
Folk Stage Line Up Mazey Day
10:00 – Pensans Morris
10.40 – John Warburton
11.10 – Bagas Crowd
11.50 – Du Glasย
12.30 – Dalla Duo
13.10 – Tros An Treys
13.50 – Bagas Fellyon
14.30 – Red River Singers
15.10 – Kekezza
15.50 – Richardย Tretheweyย And Mollyย Biscoeย
16.30 – Henavek
17.10 – Hayle River Band
For the full festival schedule:ย Please see the Golowan Festival Programme for all events, activities and venue details.
Buskers on Mazey Day
In the Green Market Bus Stop and outside Lloyds building, in between the parades, watch out for Darryl Carrington, Able Mable and Pete Anderson’s shows, from 12pm on the hour, every hour. Donโt forget a few quid for the buskersโ hats.
QUAY FAIR DAY
Sunday 28 June
Dy'Sul 28 mis Methevenโฏ
FREE Event 10am START
Quay Fair Day fills Penzance with music, performance and summer energy across the harbour, the Quay and Penlee Park. Enjoy live music outside the Boatshed, street performers along the waterfront, and both Penlee Park stages running throughout the day. Wherrytown hosts the Model Boat Display and the highโenergy Plaza Skate Jam, while the Golowan Marquee in the harbourside car park offers a full weekend of live music.
Exmouth Shanty Men
Wild Blue & Yonder
Monthโs Advance
Rumbellion
Pensans Morris
Order of the Geep
Dartmoor Border Morris
Morris Lowenek
Carn Brea Morris
The Wad
11.00 โ Robin Shaw
11.50 โ Pitch & Holler
12.40 โ Sarah Mรฉnage
13.30 โ Fishing for Compliments
14.20 โ Rob Boughton
15.10 โ East Meets West
16.00 โ Rio Riva
10.30 โ Youth Folk Ensemble
11.10 โ Tros An Treys
11.50 โ Pendans
12.30 โ Golowan Band
13.10 โ Foxes Fair
13.50 โ Penzance Guizers
14.30 โ Heb Mar
15.10 โ Martha Woods
15.50 โ Salt and Sky
16.30 โ Shindig
17.10 โ Raffidy Dumitz
For the full festival schedule, please see the Golowan Festival Programme for all events, activities and venue details.
Outside the Dry Dock on Quay Fair Day, watch out for Darryl Carrington, Able Mable and Pete Anderson’s shows, from 12pm on the hour, every hour. Donโt forget a few quid for the buskersโ hats.
PENLEE PARK RETURNS FOR 2026!
Saturday 27, and Sunday 28 JuneFREE Event 11am START
After a brilliant debut in 2025, Penlee Park is back, bigger, brighter, and bursting with family fun. Enjoy a full programme of music, shows, and activities, all served up with great food and a welcoming bar. Escape the town centre buzz and unwind in the parkโs relaxed, leafy atmosphere.
Lower Field – Qube Records Stage
Expect live music, your favourite food stalls, ice cream, quality coffee, local crafts, inflatables, and the childrenโs play park.
11am โ 6pm | QubeโฏRecords in the Park
Catch the incredible musical talent from MountsโฏBayโฏSchool, showcasing the next generation of local artists with fresh sounds and festival spirit.
6โฏpmโฏ| BagasโฏFellyon
Get ready to move! BagasโฏFellyon bring the rhythm of NosโฏLowen to PenleeโฏPark, traditional Cornish music and dancing to round off MazeyโฏDay in true local style.
Plus: Drop into Lizโs workshop and craft something FlyingโฏHigh to carry in the 3โฏpm parade.
Upper Field – The Big Tree Stage
11โฏamโฏโโฏ4โฏpmโฏ|โฏSeaโฏShantyโฏFestival
The park comes alive with the rousing sound of Cornwallโs finest shanty crews, sing along and soak up the maritime spirit! Kicking off with All For Jolly at 11am.
2โฏpmโฏ|โฏSeamusโฏCarey – CommunityโฏService
Join Seamus for his brandโnew show, blending humour, heart, and music in true Golowan style.
Elsewhere in the Field – 11โฏ- 5โฏpmโฏ|โฏPZNโฏYouthโsโฏTreeโฏLounge
a chillโout zone packed with activities and space to relax, created especially for young people.
Lower Field – Qube Records Music Stageย
11โฏamโฏโโฏ6โฏpmโฏ|โฏQubeโฏRecordsโฏinโฏtheโฏPark
Turn up for a full day of nextโgen sound! QubeโฏRecords brings the stage alive with the rising stars of MountsโฏBayโฏSchool, bold beats, fresh voices, and unstoppable festival energy filling PenleeโฏPark.
Upper Field – The Big Tree Stage
Compered by the inimitableโฏAnnabelleโฏHolland
(Timings subject to changeโฏโโฏcheck announcements on the day)
11.30โฏamโฏ|โฏTheโฏBelieveโฏAcademy
A dazzling dance showcase from all ages, pure energy and joy on stage.
12.15โฏpmโฏ|โฏFoxโฏRoxโฏChoir
A vibrant community choir open to anyone who loves to sing, feel the harmony!
12.45โฏpmโฏ|โฏMinackโฏTheatreโฏโโฏTheโฏRisingโฏStars
Penzanceโs own musical theatre group perform favourites from beloved shows.
1.30โฏpmโฏ|โฏPenzanceโฏMakatonโฏSigningโฏChoirโฏโโฏKeurโฏArwodhaโฏKemeneth
Beautifully expressive performances in song and sign.
2.00โฏpmโฏ|โฏBurningโฏEmbersโฏChoirโฏ+โฏJoeโฏDoyle
VickyโฏAbbot and co bring their latest singing venture to life.
2.30โฏpmโฏ|โฏSeamusโฏCarey –โฏCommunityโฏService
A witty, heartfelt new show from one of Cornwallโs most original voices.
3.30โฏpmโฏ|โฏGoldieโฏFiasco
Hold your breath for Goldieโs thrilling knifeโthrowing spectacle!
Elsewhere in the Field
HotchโฏPotchโฏCircusโฏSkillsโฏWorkshopโฏโโฏtry juggling, balance tricks, and even tightwire!
PenzanceโฏFencingโฏClub – watch demonstrations and have a go, from beginners to seasoned athletes.
THE GOLOWAN MARQUEE
Thursday, June 25, to Sunday, June 28
Ticketed evenings of Friday 26th & Saturday 27th see link below.
Tickets on Sale now
Hosted by Pengellyโs Cornish Bar, the Golowan Marquee promises a vibrant line-up, local ales and a look and feel designed to keep the groove going.
The weekend kicks off Thursday with the riotous Mock Mayor Elections, followed by a Cornish-powered Mazey Soirรฉe, a punk-charged Mazey Day afternoon followed by a DJ takeover in the evening, and a Quay Fair Day finale of local bands and DJs to see the weekend out in style.
Mock Mayor Elections – 18:00โ23:30
A riotous Golowan tradition where locals lampoon civic life in an evening of satire, mischief and music. Expect big laughs, bold characters and a full-tilt community celebration, with performances from The Regalos, Mock Mayor Elections Band and Night Motor. Free event
Mazey Soirรฉe – 18:00โ00:00
A Friday night feast of Cornish talent, blending roots, rhythm and festival-night energy. Featuring Jam & Meme, Flats & Sharps, Bailey Tomkinson and The Locals and DJs Jago Pengelly and Jack Maylem. Tickets on Sale Now
Mazey Day (afternoon) 14:00โ19:00
A high-energy Mazey Day line-up packed with local noise, punk spirit and grassroots power. Featuring DJ No Future, Piecework, Half Kut and the legendary Diรซ Spanglรซ. Free event
Mazey Day (evening) 19:45โ02:00
The Marquee transforms into a late-night dancefloor with a groove-heavy line-up. Expect deep cuts, disco heat and festival-night euphoria from Groove Lounge, Love Love Musica Discoteca and headliner Greg Wilson. Tickets on Sale Nowย
Quay Fair Day – 12:00โ23:30
A full day of live music and DJs celebrating Cornwallโs creative spirit. Featuring Susannah Sail, The Odd Folk, Fay Love, Iron5ide, Robbo, Flo the DJ, Pauly, King Louis, Ry Spenceley. Free event
Golowan
Pictures by John Stedman
Volunteer For Golowan
Golowan needs YOU!
Volunteers play a major part in Golowan celebrations.
Volunteering is a great way to participate and to feel connected and supportive of our community festival.
By giving your precious time, Golowan volunteers help bring our community together in celebration and Mazey madness, making Penzance a place we love to live in.
Volunteer roles we need to fill are:
stewarding the processions; collecting donations; litter picking; giving out water during the processions; running the Golowan pop-up shop and stall PLUS The Golowan Green Brigade who wake up early on Mazey morning to decorate Market Jew Street with greenery and bunting for Mazey Day
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact us at community@golowanfestival.org
Penzance Council
Penzance Council is our lead supporter, and Golowan Festival is deeply grateful for its ongoing commitment, providing financial backing, guidance and practical assistance.
We also extend our thanks to the many organisations and businesses whose continued support is invaluable, especially in challenging financial times.
If you are a business or individual interested in becoming a supporter or sponsor of Golowan, we would be delighted to hear from you.
Contact: marketing@golowanfestival.org
Our supporters and sponsors
