Spring & Summer Events in Fowey

Anyone who knows the pretty waterside town of Fowey, knows it’s a dreamy place for a holiday no matter the time of year! But…plan your stay just right, and you can experience it at its most magical when one of these fabulous events takes place on the doorstep of your Fowey holiday cottage.

Here are the highlights for what’s coming up this year…

What’s on in Fowey in May

May is one of those times of year in Cornwall where everything seems to land at once—but we’re not complaining.

The du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival

The highlight of the month is most certainly the du Maurier Fowey Literary Festival which kick offs with a fantastic live performance from London-based doo-wop boy band, The Overtones whose tours at major international venues regularly sell out. Besides its celebrity line-up, the event will also host various writing workshops, coastal foraging outings with Rachel Lambert, a jazz evening, guided walks to the places that inspired Du Maurier’s works, comedy, an ABBA tribute night, a quiz night, and more.

Authors at Fowey Literary Festival

Every year the festival showcases a line-up of fantastic authors some of whom in the past have included Sarah Vine, Liz Fenwick, Louise Candlish, Adele Parks, Patrick Gale, and Fern Britton. These authors will share insights about their latest publications including the stories that inspired them. The festival also features personalities which have people like included Sir Jeremy Hunt, historian Iain Dale, and radio producer Jenny Nelson covering topics from history and politics, fiction and films, to music, art and more.

Stay in Fowey for the Literary Festival

Fowey Art Trail

Running alongside the literary festival is the Fowey Art Trail which showcases 17 exhibitions across 12 locations in the area. Creative, a bit eclectic, and easy to explore at your own pace, the trail highlights work from local artists in a pop-up style, with pieces on show in private studios, homes, and other spaces like The Old Bank in the heart of Fowey and John’s Church in Bodinnick…think of it as an art-lover’s treasure hunt, with coffee stops along the way.

Secret Gardens event in Fowey

And then there’s Fowey’s Secret Gardens. This one feels a bit more under the radar. For a short window in May, six wonderful private gardens open their doors to the public for two days (25th and 26th May) flaunting hidden terraces, bespoke landscaping, and a variety of planting styles and types.

From the organisers of the festival: ‘The Secret Gardens map and garden details will be available from the Festival box office, located in the Royal Fowey Yacht Club, during the Festival open days (May 2nd -9th). They will also be available at events during the Festival and at all participating gardens on May 25th and 26th’.

Find a Fowey self catering holiday

What’s on in Fowey in August

Fowey Royal Regatta

Things shift focus from land to water as life in Fowey moves into summer, when the pace picks up and the town gets more buzz. August sees the Fowey Royal Regatta and carnival week – one of Cornwall’s most popular events and a real highlight for your Fowey holiday.

While sailing is at its heart, with racing on the water throughout the week, it’s everything happening around it that gives it its atmosphere. Enjoy sea swims, crab-catching, gig racing, and plenty of other family-friendly fun—as well as live music a carnival procession, the giant pasty ceremony and a torchlit dinghy parade—slightly chaotic, but all part of the vibe.

Fowey Classic Car Show

It’s also worth noting that the Fowey Classic Car Show & Parade slots into the week itself (Thursday 21 August), starting with a relaxed afternoon viewing at Fowey River Academy before the cars make their way through town early evening.

A fabulous fireworks display rounds off the week!