The best places to spend New Year’s Eve in Cornwall

How are you celebrating New Year’s Eve this year?

If you’re planning ahead but stuck for ideas, take a look at our top recommendations for New Year’s Eve in Cornwall. While 2025's event details are yet to be confirmed, these locations are prolific for their spectacular celebrations, so expect black tie balls and firework displays all round.

Plus, in a Perfect Stays first, we're excited to release a New Year's Eve stay for our luxury property, Shun Lee in St Ives. Never before has this seven-bedroom sea-view retreat been open to guests, until now...

1. St Ives

Above: sea-view dining and NYE firework displays from Shun Lee

As the road closures take place from 6pm, St Ives becomes home to a wonderful range of fancy dress costumes from late afternoon. Thousands of locals and visitors alike show off their most impressive outfits, filling the streets with colour and creativity. Gather on the harbourfront and let your senses soak up the freshly cooked festive treats at the many food stalls, book into a restaurant, or enjoy a tipple at one of the nearby cocktail bars. As midnight nears, find the perfect spectator spot and watch the fireworks light up the harbour.

Details from 2024: The Harbour Hotel offers five-course meals for £125 per person between 6:30pm and 1am, allowing plenty of time for you to step outside and rejoice in the nightlife and fireworks later on. Make sure you select your most impressive attire for this event, as there are prizes for the best dressed.

For something more casual, Balcony and The Razor Clam will satisfy your palette with a range of hearty burgers and fresh shellfish, while Porthminster Beach Café is perfectly positioned for laid back celebrations on the edge of the beach. Access-wise, Cornwall Mobility provide two beach wheelchairs from the café, making for easier NYE planning for older visitors or those with limited mobility. Find one at each end of the beach.

Where to stay: be the first ever guests to book New Year's Eve at Shun Lee. Occupying an enviable lookout over St Ives Harbour, find yourself within walking distance of the celebrations with a holiday from 29th December 2025. Book online or chat through your plans with our Property Advisors on 01208 895 570.

2. Mousehole

Left: © Rachel Claire via Pexels | Right: © Inga Seliverstova via Pexels

For those hoping for a quieter affair, the enchanting village of Mousehole promises to deliver a calm New Year’s Eve. Renowned for the Christmas lights, the fishing port transforms into a festive vision each December, with approximately 7,000 bulbs, floating displays and a 160ft wide Christmas message lit up for all to see. With plenty of cosy nooks in Mousehole's pubs and restaurants, hunker down by the open log fire as you feast on hearty platters and the obligatory glass of fizz, counting down to 2025 with ease.

For sociable dinners, 2 Fore Street offers a delicious tasting menu, featuring refreshing local seafood, high-quality organic meats and crisp vegetables to please all palettes. Boasting a relaxed yet luxurious atmosphere, this venue is perfect for welcoming in the New Year with friends and family.

New for 2025: we have something special arriving in Mousehole this year. Sign up to our mailing list and be the first to know more.

3. Falmouth

The South Cornwall harbour town of Falmouth is renowned for coming alive on New Year’s Eve with a street party that flows throughout. Like St Ives and Newquay, many guests will arrive in their best fancy dress costume, with the boats and buildings also adorned in festive decorations for the occasion. Soak up the live music throughout the town before watching the firework display reflect onto the river from the embankment.

Details from 2024: If you’re looking for an organised event, The Greenbank Hotel host an annual New Year’s Eve party. Complete with champagne on arrival, a glamourous gala dinner and plenty of entertainment, it promises a night to remember.

4. Newquay

Immerse yourself in the vibrant character of Newquay’s town centre, as festive music and fancy dress fill the streets and flood local bars, pubs and clubs. As you'd expect, fireworks are due to light up the town. Released from Newquay Harbour, gather with loved ones for the countdown as the clock nears midnight.

Details from 2024: If you’re looking for the "wow" factor, The Atlantic Hotel is hosting its annual Black Tie Ball. Dig out your finest eveningwear for a spectacularly classy night and choose between a three or five-course menu. Located in a prime position to watch Newquay Harbour’s fireworks, this themed evening is sure to bring in the New Year in the most extravagant way. Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa are also hosting a memorable glitz and glamour celebration from 6pm, filled with a three-course dinner, cocktails and a six-piece rock, pop and soul band.

5. Truro

© The Alverton via Instagram

Details from 2024: If you jump at the chance to get dressed up, a night of glitz and glamour from The Alverton is the perfect place for you. With celebrations commencing at 7pm in the Great Hall, prepare to dance the night away as resident DJs take you into the early hours. Sip on your favourite tipples before indulging in a six-course tasting menu, featuring venison carpaccio, wild seabass and orange semifreddo. Start the year as you mean to go on and treat yourself to a night of luxury.

6. Charlestown Harbour

Left: © The Longstore via Instagram

If you’re looking to spend the remaining hours of 2025 with someone special, head to The Longstore for an intimate dinner for two. Serving up a feast of locally sourced dishes like seafood and steaks, replace the chaos of everyday life with restaurant chatter in one of Charlestown's best eateries. Flavoursome rump steaks and sticky toffee puddings followed by a stroll along the harbour wall promise a peaceful transition into 2026.

7. Looe

Left: © Mike Fleming via Flickr | Right: © Nicole Michalou via Pexels

With fireworks launching from Looe’s Banjo Pier, the best seats in the house can be found on the seafront promenade. Expect the cobbled streets to be filled with visitors and locals dressed head-to-toe in fancy dress. One of Cornwall’s most-loved events, it’s an unforgettable way to welcome in the New Year surrounded by family and friends.

For those with young families, make the most of an early firework display harbourside at 6pm, or join the celebrations for a second display at midnight.

More in North Cornwall

Just a stone's throw from Trebarwith Strand, visit Tintagel Brewery for a taste of local ale, exquisite sharing banquets and live music. As midnight approaches, step out onto the terrace for a mesmerising fireworks display. 

Perfect for foodies, allow the year to draw to a close at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock. Now under new ownership by Paul Ainsworth, we're expecting big things and sparkling celebrations once the restaurant's up and running later this year. If previous events are anything to go by, think Camel Valley on arrival, a nine-course tasting menu, plus live music to dance the night away.

Alternatively, relax with a laid back evening overlooking the Camel Estuary from The Mariners. A beautifully coastal pub, The Mariners is an idyllic family spot for supper and celebrations. Gather loved ones together, wrap up and watch 2026 roll in from the windswept beach below. 

Think masquerade masks, secret gin bars and a magical Cornish setting. On the 31st December, Truro hosts a New Year’s event like no other - The Cathedral Masquerade. Dress up to the nines and wander down the cobbled streets of Truro where a red carpet will lead you into the beautifully decorated hall. With champagne and canapes on arrival, enjoy the festivities long into the night, before the cathedral’s bells ring and the city erupts into celebration.

Image credits: Rachel Claire via Pexels | Inga Seliverstova via Pexels | Nicole Michalou via Pexels | Mike Fleming via Flickr | The Alverton via Instagram | All other images are our own or from Unsplash.

Last updated: 21st February 2025.