With temperatures rising across the country, the streets of Penzance were filled with fire yesterday evening (Tuesday 23 June) as people took part the St John’s Eve Torchlit Procession celebrating midsummer as part of the week-long Golowan Festival.
One of the oldest and most atmospheric traditions of the festival, the procession carrying flaming torches set off from the top of Chapel Street at dusk, led by the Golowan Band and met by Penzance’s summer ‘oss, Penglaz.
2026 marks the 36th year of the festival’s revival and the theme for this year is “Forever Flying High”, which celebrates everything that soars above Penzance – from seabirds over Mounts Bay to Cornish sky spirits and bold visions of future flight.
After the ancient Feast of St John midsummer celebrations stopped happening in Penzance at the end of the 19th century, the tradition was revived in 1991 as a one-day celebration – Mazey Day. With the continuing support of Penzance Council, Golowan has grown over the years into a week-long festival, with Mazey Day still at its heart and now attracting tens of thousands of people to the town.
With slightly cooler temperatures forecast, the main day of the festival takes place on Saturday 27 June, with 10am, 11am, 1pm, and 3pm parades bringing together hundreds of participants from schools and community groups to showcase their giant wicker models to the tune of marching bands.
As well as the parades, street entertainment and stalls on Mazey Day, this year sees the welcome return of a festival area in Penlee Park, where there will be entertainment and activities for all ages, as well as food stalls, a bar, craft stalls and the Tree Lounge hang out space for young people, organised by PZN Youth.
Penzance Council is proud to support Golowan through partnership and funding of Golowan Festival CIC, who won the tender to run the festival and is contracted to deliver it until 2027.
See all of the photos from the St John’s Eve Torchlit Procession below:
