On 5th March, the annual celebration of St Piran’s Day takes place in Cornwall with pasties, plays and parades.
St Piran is the patron saint of tin miners and is generally thought of as the patron saint of Cornwall. In recent years, parades, festivals and pasty eating have become a popular way to honour this lesser known saint. Below is a round-up of events taking place this year to celebrate St Piran’s Day, in Cornwall and beyond…
Redruth St Piran’s Festival
St Piran’s Festival in Redruth is a lively affair with street entertainment and a parade.
There will be a community procession at midday with St Piran, local children, and entertainers. Street entertainment will include traditional music, stilt walkers, tours, and food and craft stalls. There will also be exhibitions, classic coach tours, a treasure hunt and Cornish heritage events. This year’s event takes place on Saturday 7th March, from 10am.
St Piran’s Day in Bodmin
Bodmin celebrates St Piran’s Day every year with a parade through the town, complete with Cornish pipers. The parade, which includes school children from the local parishes, heads to Mount Folly where local dignitaries make speeches to the gathered crowd. This is followed by singing and dancing from the children, and the eating of an all important Cornish pasty to mark the occasion. Join them on Thursday 5th March.
St Piran’s Procession and Play in Perranporth
This popular event features a grand procession, led by St Piran, some animals and a local band. The parade goes from Piran Point to St Piran’s Oratory and Church, where everyone is invited to sing along with local choirs.
At St Piran’s Cross, people gather (dressed in black, white and gold, and carrying the Cornish flag), for the St Piran’s Play. Visitors are welcome to take part in this celebration of Cornish culture by joining the walk over the dunes and watching the play. Dozens of actors and musicians portray the stages of St Piran’s life from his birth in Ireland, to his arrival in Cornwall, his discovery of tin and his Christian ministry in Kernow. Watch this unique bit of Cornish culture on Sunday 8th March.
Truro St Piran’s Day Parade
The St Piran’s Day Parade in Truro claims to be the oldest parade of its kind, and this year begins from Waterfall Gardens on St Georges Road, on Thursday 5th March. After the parade there is a traditional ceremony and bi-lingual spring address. The parade usually attracts hundreds of spectators and local shop windows are decorated for the celebration. All are welcome to along, and there will be free pasties and saffron buns for visitors.
Falmouth St Piran’s Day Parade
Falmouth also celebrates St Piran’s Day (on 5th March) with a parade, but Falmouth’s event also features a Furry Dance by local school children and musicians. The parade usually begins at the Moor and heads along Webber Street and to the end of Prince of Wales Pier, where the community dance takes place. Everyone is welcome to join in or line the streets to watch the procession.
St Piran’s Day celebrations in Newquay
Newquay, not content with a day of celebrations, has a whole programme of events from Sunday 1st March until the following Sunday.
Expect live music from local bands, shanties, film screenings, talks, Cornish language classes, choir music, the St Piran’s Day parade, community tea and storytelling, a beer, food and heritage festival, Celtic music and dance, and family activities.
Kernow In The City
For those who live in the capital and can’t make it to Cornwall for St Piran’s Day, fear not! Rich Mix in London will yet again be hosting Kernow in the City.
The event, on Saturday 7th March, will feature Cornish music, dancing, ale and pasties. Listen to an eclectic selection of Cornish pop, folk and rock music whilst enjoying a pint of ale from Skinner’s Brewery.
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