Golowan Festival 2025 runs from Friday 20 June to Sunday 29 June. Now in the 35th year of its revival, the theme of this year’s festival is “On the Crest of a Wave”, honouring the power of our Cornish coast and seas, unique sea life and love of the ocean in Penzance.
Organisers Golowan Festival CIC are anticipating a tidal wave of optimism and joy on Mazey Day with nautical parade images surging through the town in a massive blue wave. Historically, pirates and whales and galleons have played a colourful role in past parades, and we have no doubt that, once again, the streets of Penzance will revel in a magical display of maritime mayhem.
Despite the potential for difficulties with the Coinagehall development work close to Golowan’s footprint, we are delighted to report that the Quay fair will remain in its popular location on Battery Road in front of the Jubilee Pool again, while the Golowan Marquee breaks exciting new ground by moving to a new site, the Wharfside Maritime Car Park by the harbour.
Mayor of Penzance, Stephen Reynolds said:
“Golowan is a festival like no other, and I’m proud that Penzance Council is once again supporting the amazing team at Golowan CIC and the dedicated band of volunteers who make it happen. This year’s theme chimes perfectly with the burgeoning ‘Penzance Renaissance’, and I have every faith that Golowan will continue riding the wave of success for years to come.”
As well as the usual parades, street entertainment and stalls on Mazey Day, this year sees the introduction of a new event 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 new Tree Lounge hang out space for young people, organised by PZN Youth.
Also new to Golowan is the Golowan mini-Sea Shanty Festival on Quay Fair Day Sunday 29th June on the Quay at the Penzance Dry Dock.
KEY DATES:
Sunday 22 June: Civic Parade and Feast of St John Service
Carrying the ceremonial head of St John on a plate, the Civic Parade will set off from St John’s Hall and will make its way through the centre of Penzance to St John the Baptist Church for the Feast of St John Service.
A rolling road closure will be in place on the day along Alverton Street, Market Place, The Greenmarket, Market Jew Street from 10:30 – 10:50am.
Monday 23 June: Torchlit Procession
Gather at the top of Chapel Street, Penzance, for the procession down to The Dolphin pub.
Thursday 26 June : Mock Mayor Elections
The annual vote for the ’Mock Mayor of the Quay’ in the Golowan Marquee, which is hosted this year by the Cornish Crown Brewery, with their fabulous line-up of performances running through to Sunday 29th.
Friday 27 June: Golowan Fireworks
The quieter ‘Golowan Fireworks Display,’ using low bursting effects, lights up the night sky (funded by Penzance Council) and Penglaz makes an appearance accompanied by the Golowan Band leading the Serpent Dance crying, ‘An Eye! An Eye!’ and rushing through the dancers’ hands which form the head of the serpent, snaking along Coinagehall and winding its way around the streets in celebration of Midsummer and the Feast of St John.
Saturday 28 June: Mazey Day
The Mayor and Mock Mayor address the crowds from the Mayors’ Platform followed by the 11am, 1pm, and 3pm parades where hundreds of participants from schools and community groups showcase their giant wicker models to the tune of marching bands. There will be street music, stages, markets, food stalls, theatre and dance. Greenmarket Car Park will host the street food stalls and musical acts will fill the Folk Stage.
Sunday 29 June: Quay Fair Day
The action moves to the harbourside as the Quay market accompanies the Golowan Folk Stage, street entertainment, dancing, and the youth music stage will be in full swing in Penlee Park.
At the Wherrytown Skateboard Plaza there will be the Skate Jam Competition, and across the road the Model Boat Display.
The Golowan Marquee in the Harbourside car park will host a star-studded cavalcade of music with entertainment throughout the weekend.
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. Golowan is also supported by Arts Council England, FEAST, the Community Fund, Penzance BID and Sustainable Penzance.
See the full programme of Golowan Festival 2025 here:
