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16 things to do this August bank holiday

As September edges closer we've got that back-to-school feeling... before you buy that new pencil case and sparkly pencil set, check out our 16 events that will help you let loose this bank holiday weekend, and eke out that summer feeling a little longer!

From beer festivals to magic in the woods, it’s all going on in Cornwall this August Bank Holiday. Here you experience see outdoor performance like never before at The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Enys Gardens or Tehidy Woods, party the weekend away at a beach bar, join Cornwall Pride, or be part of a World Record pirate attempt! See you out there.

1. Hansel and Gretel at The Lost Gardens of Heligan

Thursday 24th August – Saturday 2nd September

This summer, Cscape Dance Company turn the twisting pathways at The Lost Gardens of Heligan into an evening of story-telling, dance, music, design and installation. Join them on a journey through the gardens, on this evocative, surprising and memorable experience for all the family. Prepare for darkness, light, magic and wonder… and maybe even a few ‘sweeties’ along the way!

2. Sky Bar St Agnes

Thursday 24th – Sunday 27 August

Sky Bar is bringing its beach bar beats to incredible spots this summer, perfect for partying as the sun sets!

Always a sell-out, don’t miss out for 2017 where they are going bigger than ever. With four nights to choose from, expect the perfect apres-sea vibe surrounded by friends, exclusive bars and enviable views down the North Cornwall coast.

Start the weekend early with Throwback Thursday’s old skool anthems and floor-filling tunes that will keep you on the dance floor all night. Anything goes at Freestyle Friday, and Ibiza vibes on Beach House Saturday will transport you to summertime bliss! They’ll be wrapping up the weekend with a Sunday Soul Session of soul-shaking tunes to make it a weekend to remember.

3. If You Go Down To The Woods Today... at Trebah Garden

Thursday 24th – Saturday 26th August

Join Yskynna on a spectacular voyage of breath-taking vertical dance and aerial performance through the garden.

Trebah’s high open spaces and tall trees will be animated to a blend live music, vocal tones, spoken word and poetry over percussion with a little recorded technology and a fire breathing dragon thrown in for good measure!

Don’t forget to order your food for a picnic on the beach after the show.

4. Cornwall Folk Festival

Thursday 24th – Monday 28th August

Cornwall Folk Festival brings folk’s best to Cornwall and showcases our local talent to the world! This years line up includes legend Dougie Maclean, Cara Dillon’s pure vocals, and Scotland’s jazz-folk Dosca. Joining them are Hop’Op’Ops from Brittany, alt-folk Cocos Lovers from Kent, and Cornwall’s own Dalla and  Three Daft Monkeys!

Wadebridge’s streets and pubs pulse with regional artists in abundance at one of Britain’s finest small festivals, the perfect last blast of summer.

5. Flats and Sharps at The Acorn

Friday 25 August

A chance to see these Penzance locals back home after an amazingly successful year which saw a hit debut album, nationwide sell-out shows, and a packed festival schedule.

Flats and Sharps blur the lines between bluegrass, folk, country and pop, performing their own highly original songs as well as their renditions of bluegrass classics. These five incredible young musicians have honed their skills in 400 live performances over five years, charming and wowing audiences along the way.

6. Miracle Theatre's 'The Third Policeman' at Enys Gardens

Friday 25th & Saturday 26th August

This summer Miracle Theatre ventures into a world somewhere between Alice in Wonderland and Father Ted, where the earth is not round but sausage-shaped; where eccentric policemen fall in love with bicycles and you can visit eternity via a rickety lift in the heart of rural Ireland.

Flann O’Brien’s scorching wit and delicious turn of phrase, combined with Miracle’s delight in physical comedy and absurdity, has to be a winning combination. Fans of this cult classic and newcomers alike should expect the unexpected!

7. St Ives Beer & Cider Festival

Friday 25th – Sunday 27th August

The 2017 St Ives Summer Beer Festival is back again for another year of incredible beer and fantastic entertainment!

Live music and fantastic food will also be on hand to guide you through the weekend. Tickets include a commemorative glass to help you taste the 35 beers on tap over the weekend.

8. Ale & Cider Festival at The Bowgie Inn

Friday 25th – Monday 28th August

Wile away the hours tasting new local tipples or stick to your staples from the likes of Skinners, St Austell Brewery, Healeys and Sharp’s at this iconic pink pub overlooking Crantock beach.

9. The Big Games Weekend at Royal Cornwall Museum

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August

This summer Royal Cornwall Museum is a hub for video gamers, and for all things board gaming, interactive or simply fun. Play on!

10. Cornwall Pride

Saturday 26th August

An annual chance for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people in Cornwall, their friends and families to get together and celebrate diversity. Join the vibrant parade that will wind its way through Newquay, and stay for the afternoon family-friendly Rainbow Fest for fun and games, face painting, food and live music.

11. Cornwall's Tattoo Convention

Saturday 26th & Sunday 27th August

This is Cornwall’s all-new tattoo convention at Falmouth University, with over 60 tattooists and live entertainment too. Alongside burlesque dancers, fire breathers and graffiti art tutorials, live acts include Sian Evans, Mad Dog Mcrea, The Dolls UK, Echo Town, Heavy Souls, Waxx, The Busketeers and Dusk Dawns.

12. Pirates on the Prom

Sunday 27th August

“Here’s 20,000 Cornishmen and 20,000 maids an’ all, and if you are from far away feel free to rally to the call. Just stand up and be counted as we’ve got a score to overhaul!”

Join the Guinness World Records attempt for the title of ‘Largest Gathering of Pirates’ – they need 15,000 to win, so dust off your tricorn hat and don some stripes for the count.

As well as a market and fairground, there will be entertainment on the prom from Sea of Mirth, Black Fridays, Raffity Dummitz, Motown Pirates, Trifle Gathering, 3 Daft Monkey and lots more!

13. Echo Town at The Watering Hole

Sunday 27th August

Meet Echo Town, a duo consisting of brothers Ric and Robert Harrison who achieve a full band sound with just two pairs of hands… Instantly recognisable for their multi-instrumental performances and eclectic sound, they mix the culture of the surf soaked South West with contemporary freedom songs.

14. Skinny Living at Old Bakery Studios

Sunday 27th August

Recently signed to RCA Records, Skinny Living are a four-piece from Wakefield dealing in beautiful, haunting acoustic soul music.

Cornish Moonshine are taking over the bar for the night, so expect some super cool cocktails, and Punk Thai will be down there with their fantastic authentic Thai street food in Cornwall’s coolest new venue.

15. Newlyn Fish Festival

Monday 28th August

The 28th annual Newlyn Fish Festival is a celebration of the sea, seafood and the fishing industry held in aid of The Fishermen’s Mission. A great day out for the whole family in the busiest fishing port in England, this festival sees little fish, big fish, live fish, fish displays, fish filleting, fish cookery and fish to eat…

You’ll see little fishing boats, big fishing boats, lifeboats, model boats, pilot gigs and traditional luggers from the days of working sail too!

Little ones can follow the fishy trail, listen to tales in stories in the Fish Tales (get it?) tent and visit the learning zone. Browse through arts, crafts and food stalls around the festival site and enjoy an eclectic mix of music on two stages throughout the day from Cornish choirs and bands to rock to folk.

At 1pm and 3.30pm you can also see a special performance of James Wilton’s LEVIATHAN

16. Rogue Theatre's Wild Woodland Summer Ball

Until Saturday 2nd September

Rogue Theatre’s award-winning show returns to Tehidy Woods with brand new, never-seen-before stories for the young and young at heart.

‘Immersive theatre at its best’, Wild Woodland Summer Ball is Rogue’s free-spirited celebration of wildness, set in one of Cornwall’s most breath-taking landscapes. Don’t miss out on the Woodland Stew, served from a bubbling cauldron on the fire.

Imogen Weatherly

Imogen can usually be found in a village community cinema, exploring Cornwall’s great outdoors, at foodie events, or watching live theatre. When she’s not getting stuck into all the lovely cultural stuff in Cornwall, you can find her on the beach.