Huge Padstow Christmas festival axed after 17 years due to ‘rising costs’

A major Christmas event in Cornwall has been canceled due to “rising costs” and a lack of sponsorship, its organizer has confirmed. The Padstow Christmas Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the town over the course of the four-day event.

One of the biggest events of its kind in the UK was due to take place between 4th and 8th December this year, with stallholders already on board and a range of fun and foodie festivities including the popular ticketed Sharp’s Chefs Theater events .

Every year the center of Padstow is transformed for the event and the market in particular is a vital part of the small business trade for the season. But after previously speaking about the event’s financial difficulties, founder and organizer Tina Evans has confirmed it will not take place this year.

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In an email to traders on Friday (May 10), the event organizer said: “It is with great sadness and regret that we have been left with no alternative but to cancel Padstow Christmas Festival 2024. With rising costs and a lack of sponsorship. the event became financially unviable.

“After paying the initial deposits and costs, it became painfully obvious that the festival could not go ahead. So to minimize the financial loss as much as possible, canceling now is the best option.

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“We could have continued, but I know in my heart that I should have canceled later and then the financial loss for everyone would have been much greater. My sincere apologies to all of you. It’s been a great 17 years. and I know some of you have supported us for many years and I am truly sorry that we cannot continue.

“I wish you all well in the future. You all have great products, so I know that whatever events you decide to do, you will all be successful.”

In 2022, the event made the decision to start charging for entry to the Christmas marquee. It asked for an entry fee of £7 to cover the rising costs of running the event. People called the charge “greedy” and “atrocious”, saying you shouldn’t have to pay for the “privilege of entering a tent to buy luxury items”.

Last year, organizers lowered the entry fee after backlash and the Christmas market reverted to free entry.

Padstow Christmas Festival said at the time: “Last year, Padstow Christmas Festival was the first event following the Coronavirus pandemic, so it presented various obstacles which, combined with increased costs and sponsorship challenges , could not have taken place without the ticket fee”.