| Where: | Formerly Tintagel, Cornwall at the Mayfair car park |
| When: | Formerly Saturday on/before 31st October |
| Time: | Formerly Performances from 2pm until close at approx 8pm (evening times may vary depending on whether or not its GMT or British Summer Time) |
The All Hallows Gathering was founded just a few years ago but quickly became an established Hallowtide custom marking the close of summer and the approach of the dark days of winter. The seasonal festival included performances by morris dancers and musicians, and the meeting of Welsh Mari Lwyds and their Cornish Oss equivalents. The performances formerly took place in the space outside the museum of Witchcraft and Magic, at the Harbour in the pretty fishing village of Boscastle on Cornwall’s north coast, but from 2023 the location was moved to Tintagel just a few miles along the road. Storytelling, myths and legends, disguise, dramatic performances and more were all likely components throughout the day and evening; the programme was varied from one year to the next to keep it vibrant but there was also continuity from regular favourites such as Beltane Border Morris from Dartmoor, torchlit performances and a traditional Welsh Pwnco performance with the Mari’s and their songs. You could expect vibrant performances, singing, the Ancestor chant and lots of folklore and frolics, and maybe a spine-tingling moment as dusk fell and the atmosphere took on a darker aspect…
Helpful Hints
In 2026 it was on Saturday 31st October at Tintagel- actually on Hallowe’en this year- and this was the final Dark Gathering as the event has now ceased. Because of limited space it was a ticketed event- you could double check the event website for all of the timings and venues and any last-minute changes. In 2023 tickets cost £11.50 including booking fees which was exceptionally good value.
The festival took place to coincide with school half-term holidays, and when Hallowe’en fell on 31st it was on that day, otherwise it was the Saturday preceding.
Plenty of parking was available in the village, and also plenty of food and drink including at the venue.
Click here for the Festival website: https://thedarkgathering.co.uk
and Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089568135230
Thanks to Cassandra Latham-Jones for all the info!
I’m afraid the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic will not be open in the evening of the 29th October, last entry is 4.30pm that day as usual. The Mari’s will also not be visiting the museum as stated as the gathering is held in the upper car park this year, not outside the museum.
Thank you Hannah- that’s very helpful. I shall tweak the article accordingly straightaway!
Best wishes,
Averil