What’s On In Cornwall This September
September might be Cornwall’s best-kept secret.
The summer crowds have gone, the weather often holds, and the county fills with festivals, food and live music right through the month.
From a central base, you can reach it all. Here’s what’s on across Cornwall this September 2026, and why staying in the middle of the county means you can dip into any of it without a long drive back.
St Ives September Festival
12-26 September
For two weeks every September, St Ives turns into one of Cornwall’s biggest cultural draws. The St Ives September Festival fills galleries, pubs, chapels and the harbourfront with music, poetry, art and workshops – a mix of professional touring acts and local talent that’s been running for decades. Most events are free to attend, and the whole town stays walkable, so you can drift between a morning workshop and an evening gig without needing to plan much beyond turning up.
It’s one of the best reasons to time a September trip around Cornwall’s north coast – and one of the most exciting, fun-filled ways to see St Ives.
How Far is St Ives from Penventon?
St Ives is around 30-minutes by car from Penventon, or about 45-minutes by train – making it an easy day trip to explore the festival.
Festivals & Food This September
September in Cornwall is a proper feast of food and music festivals, spread right across the county, so finding a central base means you can see it all.
Penzance food Festival | 3-6 September
Four days of street food, live fire cooking and local producers in Penlee Park — free to attend, and a genuine highlight of the town’s calendar.
35-minute drive from Penventon.
Little Orchard Cider & Music Festival | 11-13 September
A Cornish institution at Healeys Cyder Farm near Penhallow – live bands, a silent disco, and no shortage of cider, all set in the Cornish countryside.
15-minute drive from Penventon.
Looe Weekender | 18-20 September
Three days of free live music spilling out of pubs and venues across Looe’s harbour town – a proper community “musical pub crawl” rather than a fenced-off festival.
1-hour drive from Penventon.
On Stage This September
Prefer your entertainment indoors with a drink in hand? September’s a strong month for it, with big names at Hall for Cornwall in Truro and a packed run of shows just up the road at The Regal in Redruth – including a full week of The Addams Family.
Why Base Centrally For What’s On In Cornwall This September?
With so many things to do in Cornwall in September – St Ives at one end, Looe at the other, and everything from Penzance to Truro in between – where you stay matters more than usual. Base yourself centrally and nothing in this guide is more than an hour away; you can catch a festival on the coast one day and a show in town the next, without the drive eating your time. Penventon sits right in the middle of it all, in Redruth, with easy reach to both coasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is September a good time to visit Cornwall?
Yes – arguably one of the best. The summer crowds thin out, the weather’s often still mild, and September brings its own packed calendar of festivals and events across the county, from St Ives to Looe.
What’s the weather like in Cornwall in September?
September in Cornwall tends to be mild and settled, with daytime highs typically around 17–19°C and cooler nights down to about 12–13°C. The sea’s usually at its warmest of the year too, averaging 16–17°C – though, as with any Cornish autumn, it’s worth packing a layer for an occasional passing shower.
How do I get around Cornwall to catch more than one September event?
With events spread from St Ives to Looe, a central base makes the difference – from Penventon in Redruth, you’re within an hour’s drive of everything in this guide, so it’s easy to build a September trip around more than one festival or show.
Jess is the Marketing Manager at Penventon Park Hotel. Born and bred in Cornwall, she’s ironically not a fan of the beach—she’d much rather be in a garden or the woods with her dogs, Murphy and Daisy. A lover of horror films, fantasy books, and a solid playlist featuring Dire Straits or the Eagles, she’s often found with a Moscato, German Riesling, Bloody Mary or Spicy Marg in hand.
