Thousands celebrate Helston Flora Day in 54 stunning images

One of Cornwall’s best-loved traditions took place today (Wednesday 8 May) as thousands filled the streets for Flora Day. Helston’s famous celebration of the passing of winter and the coming of spring always takes place on 8 May, unless that date falls on a Sunday or Monday, in which case the previous Saturday is taken.

Flora Day is one of the oldest British customs still practiced today and sees mass dancing in the city streets and the performance of the Hal-an-Tow pageant. The day starts with the morning dance at 7am, with people arriving much earlier to get the best viewing spots.

The midday dance is perhaps the best known and was traditionally the dance of the city’s nobility. Today, the men wear hats and tails, while the women dance in their finest dresses.

Traditionally, all dancers wear water lilies, the symbolic flower of Helston. Gentlemen wear it on the left, with the flowers pointing up, and ladies wear it upside down on the right.

Read more: The tradition once banned for being too noisy is making a comeback with the dying crow

Thousands of spectators lined the streets to watch the Morning Dance, the Hal-an-Tow, the Children’s Dance and the ever popular Midday Dance. With winter well and truly over, Flora Day enjoyed blue skies and warm sunshine this year, with smiles everywhere for this much-loved event.

There are 54 images in this photo story – click the “Next” button at the bottom of the page to see them all.