Penzance Mazey Day & Golowan Festival

Where: Penzance, Cornwall town centre
When: Saturday in late June (usually the Saturday on or following 23rd)
Time: All day with processions starting at 10am and continuing through the morning ad afternoon

 

Mock Mayors

Mazey Day is the main event day and 2nd Saturday of the revived Cornish festival of Golowan which lasts for nine days (including 2 weekends). On this day expect morris dancing and community arts festivities; there are several fantastic costumed processions featuring giants, puppets and hundreds of participants and at around 5pm the ancient Serpent Dance weaves is way through town. Everywhere is decorated and there are street entertainers, musicians and stalls aplenty. On Mazey Eve (the night preceding Mazey Day) there are fireworks, the election of the “Mayor of the Quay” and the appearance of Penglaz the skull-headed hobby horse. The festival ends with the Quay Fair Day on the Sunday which has more music and entertainment.

Helpful Hints

It’s usually on the last or penultimate Saturday of the month, near Midsummer’s Day/St John’s Eve so falls from around 23rd to 29th June. In 2024 the Festival dates are 21st to 30th June with Mazey Day on Saturday 29th (follow links below for more details).

Click here for the event website and programme :http://www.golowanfestival.org

and here for the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Golowan-Festival-Official-Page/277967782386

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