What’s on in May and June
From art fairs and harbour-side food events to sea shanties and classic boats, May and June are wonderful months to explore the local area during a stay at Budock Vean Hotel & Spa. If you are planning time by the Helford, here are a few events worth adding to your diary this season.
FORM arts festival
Running from 15th to 17th May at Princess Pavilion, FORM Art Festival returns for its fourth year, celebrating Cornwall’s vibrant creative scene with more than 90 artists and makers. Expect a colourful mix of paintings, prints, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture and furniture, alongside live music and local food vendors. Free to visit, it is an inspiring way to spend a day in Falmouth.
Falmouth Food Festival
Set against Falmouth’s waterfront from 22nd to 25th May, Falmouth Food Festival brings together four days of food, art, music and culture in the heart of town. With Cornish producers, street food, live music and a welcoming harbour-side atmosphere, it is the perfect excuse for a leisurely day by the sea. Whether you are stopping for a bite or settling in for the afternoon, it is one of the highlights of the late May bank holiday weekend.
May half term
There is plenty to discover across Cornwall during May half term. In Falmouth, the National Maritime Museum Cornwall is hosting Shore Safari from 23rd to 3st May, with rockpool-themed activities, crafts and family trails. For adventurous days out, Via Ferrata offers zip wires, climbing and coasteering near Falmouth, while Pendennis Castle adds a sense of history and fun with a Mystery Mission. A little further afield, The Lost Gardens of Heligan’s Wild Week brings bushcraft, wildlife activities and outdoor challenges from 23rd to 31st May, while the Eden Project’s Lloyd of the Flies programme fills the gardens and Biomes with interactive trails, hands-on encounters and bug-sized adventures for all ages.
Explore May half term breaks at Budock Vean Hotel & Spa
Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival
From 12th to 14th June, Falmouth comes alive with one of its renowned free nautical music festival. The Falmouth International Sea Shanty Festival fills streets, pubs and waterfront venues with the sound of more than 80 groups from across the UK and beyond, creating an atmosphere that is lively, uplifting and unmistakably Cornish. It is a brilliant weekend to soak up the town’s maritime heritage and enjoy Falmouth at its most spirited.
Falmouth Classics Regatta
Taking place over the same weekend, 12th to 14th June, Falmouth Classics Regatta 2026 brings a spectacular display of heritage and classic sailing to the harbour and bay. With racing, parades of traditional boats and plenty of vantage points for watching from the shore, it is a wonderful event for anyone who loves the sea. Paired with the Sea Shanty Festival, it makes for a memorable weekend in Falmouth, where music on land meets classic craft on the water.
What’s on at Budock Vean
On Friday 5th June, Budock Vean welcomes an immersive Murder Mystery Night hosted by Murder By Appointment, the longest-established murder mystery company in the West of England. Set in the roaring 1920s at The Flamingo Club, one of uptown Chicago’s most glamorous nightspots, the evening promises suspense, intrigue and plenty of unexpected twists. As financial troubles deepen, mob tensions rise and loyalties begin to crack, you’ll watch the drama unfold before stepping into the role of detective when a body is discovered. It is a wonderfully theatrical evening for anyone who loves a little mystery with their dinner.
Then on Friday 26th June, celebrate English Wine Week at our South West Wine Tasting & Dinner over an evening of exquisite dining and the very best of local tipples. A thoughtfully curated four-course dinner will be paired with a selection of wines and sparkling wines from South West producers, showcasing the depth and character of the region’s vineyards. It is a lovely way to mark the season, bringing together elegant food and local flavour.
Whether you are drawn to Cornwall for its creativity, coastal scenery, family days out or food by the water, May and June offer plenty of reasons to plan a stay. From Budock Vean Hotel & Spa, you are perfectly placed to enjoy the best of the season before returning to the peace of the Helford River.
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Photo credit: Cartel Photography