The St Ives September Festival.
Come to St Ives this September and celebrate music and the arts with us. Every year, the St Ives September Festival takes over the town, with musicians, performers and artists in every venue and on every street.
We love this lively fortnight, and we’ve put together a visitors’ guide to the Festival for you. We hope to see you here!
What is the St Ives September Festival?
The St Ives September Festival of Music and the Arts started life in 1978. There have been a few hiccups since, but the Festival has not only survived, it’s thrived, and has grown into a major event in the Cornish calendar.
Its premise hasn’t changed over the decades. The Festival continues to celebrate visual and performing arts, from exhibitions to film showings, pub gigs to classical concerts. Immerse yourself in Festival life by joining a workshop or a guided tour, or by simply letting your feet gently jig as you walk down the busker-filled streets.
When is the St Ives September Festival?
The Festival is held over two weeks every September, and in 2025, it runs from Saturday 13 September until Saturday 27 September. That’s 15 fun-filled days this year, and we can’t wait!
The 2025 programme is the usual blend of ticketed and just-turn-up events. The St Ives September Festival website is super-helpful, breaking down the programme by both date and type of event, making sure you can easily find what you need to know. You can also book your place at ticketed events via the website.
What’s on at the St Ives Festival for 2025?
There’s a lot to look forward to in the 2025 festival programme, ranging from epic music, to more artistic and hands on experiences. We have detailed the best of the St Ives September Festival below:
Artistic Heritage.
Our hometown is known for its amazing light, something that has helped St Ives to become a hub for creative artists for many, many years. From the Tate Gallery to Barbara Hepworth, from Bernerd Leach to Peter Lanyon, art is a huge part of the community. Come and celebrate this with the festival and hosting galleries.
A Myriad of Music.
St Ives September Festival offers a truly diverse music line-up. From Folk and Jazz to Rock and Classical, there is something for every taste. Enjoy more intimate sets from local artists in pubs like The Sloop or The Union, or book tickets to see headline acts in places like St Ives Arts Club or St Ia Parish Church.
There’s a lot to look forward to in the 2025 festival programme, including last night headliners Fascinating Aida, the famous, whip-smart cabaret trio. The Countrymen open the show on the night of the 13th, and they’re followed over the fortnight by musicians including Steve Knightly (Show Of Hands), Martin Simpson and Martha Tilston. Look out for fabulous local performers like Molly Hocking and Bailey Tomkinson.
Get Hands On at the St Ives September Festival.
There’s plenty of opportunities to try your hand at something new in many of the creative workshops. From picking up a paintbrush, sketching the harbourside or throwing your very first pot. You’ll have the chance to take your own crafted piece home to remind yourself of the memories made during the Festival in St Ives.
Literature and Theatre.
There will be spoken word and theatre performances throughout the fortnight long Festival. Enjoy performances inspired by Cornwall’s rich cultural history, bringing local stories to life.
Where is the September Festival taking place?
The St Ives September Festival is held in venues across town, from pubs to the parish church. This year, we’re especially excited to see acts in the newly refurbished St Ives Theatre, which reopened only last April following a major renovation. (The Guildhall, that favourite festival stalwart, is having its own glow-up this year so is taking a break from hosting performances.)
Everywhere gets involved, from the community orchard at the top of the town to the pubs and bars by the harbour. You’ll find things going on at the School of Painting, the cinema, the library and the museum, while galleries from the Tate to the smallest independents host special exhibitions.
Take a look at the venues for the 2025 St Ives September Festival.
Can I stay in St Ives during the September Festival?
Be at the heart of the action by staying in St Ives itself during the festival. Our lovely new property, White Mist Cottage, is a former fisherman’s cottage in the old back streets of St Ives, sleeping four. Benjamin’s Bolthole is a beautifully presented traditional terraced cottage in Wesley Place, again sleeping four guests. If there’s just the two of you, The Old Salthouse studio is cosy perfection, housed in an old pilchard curing cellar in the beachside Barnaloft complex.
Is the St Ives September Festival fun with friends?
If you’re planning a group holiday for family and friends, the festival fortnight is a brilliant time to come to St Ives – there’ll simply be so much for you all to do! Book one of our larger St Ives holiday properties, such as the four-bedroomed, three-storey Maranatha in Back Road East.
Picture House sleeps five guests, again in the popular Wesley Place. We love the curated art collection in this luxury property. Three-bedroomed Secret Cottage is tucked away off Fore Street itself – you can’t get much more central than that! This hidden gem even has its own private courtyard garden in the middle of town.
Meet The Author.
As Business Development Director at Cornish Escapes, Emma plays a strategic role in driving the growth of the business through the marketing and recruitment whilst also overseeing the performance of our sister company Handpicked Cottages. Emma brings a wealth of industry insight to the business.
With over 20 years of experience in the holiday rental market, Emma focuses on understanding evolving market trends and her goal is simple: to increase bookings for our owners through marketing while also strengthening the visibility and reputation of our brands.
Outside of work, Emma makes the most of Cornwall’s stunning coastline. Her favourite walk is the St Ives to Zennor route – a challenging trek, but one she says is always worth it for the views and a well-earned pint at The Tinner’s Arms. Passionate about the lifestyle Cornwall offers, Emma loves exploring the county with her two daughters, from discovering family-friendly days out to attending local events such as the St Ives Food Festival, where she enjoys sampling some of the very best Cornish food and drink. When it is time to relax, she can often be found at Newlyn Film House catching the latest film or sharing recommendations on the best theatre productions and live performances across Cornwall.
Book your St Ives Holiday Cottage for the September Festival.
Are you coming to St Ives for the festival? We have a selection of luxury holiday cottages and apartments in the centre of St Ives, including the lovely properties we’ve already mentioned.
