Newquay is set to come alive with colour, sound, and celebration this September for the Big Day Out, a town-wide summer finale filled with vibrant street performances, creative workshops, live music, and family-friendly activities.
Taking place throughout the town on Saturday 6 September from 10am-11pm, the Big Day Out invites locals and visitors alike to explore Newquay in a new way. Activities range from circus performances and aerial dance to outdoor theatre, workshops and markets, local food and outdoor bars and arts and crafts workshops for all ages.
A unique event brought together through a partnership between key organisations in the town, the Big Day Out is a huge celebration of the best that Newquay has to offer
Highlights of the day include:
- Harbour Festival with local street food, live music, chef demos, outdoor bars and relaxed coastal vibes
- LOOK OUT! a brand new festival from Groundswell with an exhilarating programme of international and local circus acts, aerial and street theatre, community performances, and an array of drop-in activities across the beach, green spaces and streets
- Summer Finale over on the Killacourt, including family friendly activities, fairground rides and the Rewind Radio roadshow
- The BIG Newquay Market a buzzing street market of local food & drink, craft, art, design and more
- Creative makers workshops and arts & crafts
- Activities for all ages
- Live music across the town at multiple locations
Mark Warren, Newquay Town BID and Love Newquay, commented: “We’re thrilled to be part of the Big Day Out. It’s a fantastic opportunity to showcase Newquay’s vibrant local businesses and bring people into the heart of our town. Events like this help build pride in our community and spotlight the independent traders that make Newquay unique.”
Dicky Souray, founder of Groundswell and director of LOOK OUT! Festival, added: “Gathering people in public spaces for creative experiences and joyful performance is a great way to bring people together for a shared sense of communal belonging.
The Big Day Out turns the whole town into a stage — and our vision is for LOOK OUT! to contribute surprising and uplifting moments where you least expect them “
Amie Bradshaw, Harbour Festival organiser, said: “There’s such a buzz building around what’s happening in the harbour. From amazing local street food to live music and chef demos, the Harbour Festival has something for everyone — it’s going to be a proper Newquay celebration with laid-back vibes and brilliant local flavour.”
Melissa Hallam from Newquay Town Council said: “As the summer season draws to a close, the Big Day Out is a fantastic way to bring our community together and celebrate everything Newquay has to offer — from its creativity and culture to its warm, welcoming spirit.”
Sarah Curley, of Cornwall Shop Small, running the BIG Newquay Market, said: “We're delighted to be hosting this month's market as part of the Big Day Out. The market is a celebration of local talent, creativity, and entrepreneurship - a chance for small businesses and independent makers to connect directly with the people who support them. Events like this help strengthen our local economy and foster a real sense of community pride in shopping small and supporting local."
All partners involved have been part of the Experience project, run by Cornwall Council, which received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund through the Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Good Growth Programme.
The Experience project aims to attract visitors year-round, building resilience and collaboration between the tourism and creative industries. It encourages visitors to connect with Cornwall's culture, history, and natural environment through unique activities and itineraries.
Cllr Sarah Preece, Cornwall Council's portfolio holder for Tourism, Localism and Planning, said: “The Big Day Out is a fantastic example of how strategic investment through the Good Growth Programme is breathing new life into towns across Cornwall.
"Through the Experience project, we’ve seen a rise in initiatives that extend activity beyond the summer peak, helping town centres like Newquay attract year-round footfall. This not only restores pride in place but also strengthens the local economy by supporting small businesses and creative industries.”
The Big Day Out is made possible with support from Newquay Bid, Newquay Town Council Events, Visit Newquay, The Boathouse bar and restaurant, Cornwall Shop Small and Groundswell.
For full event details, including locations and timings, scan the QR code on posters around town.
Find out more about the Experience Project
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