Thousands enjoy first Falmouth Festive Weekend - photos

The artificial snow along Church Street was one of the highlights of a packed two days of seasonal fun, which also included an ice rink on the Church Street car park, a land train running the length of the town centre and a 45-foot Victorian carousel on The Moor, on which visitors could sit on the same horse as King Edward VIII himself.

Even Father Christmas took time out of his busy schedule to ride on the train over the weekend and give out sweet treats to fellow passengers and passers-by.

Businesses on Arwenack Street got into the spirit by dressing up in a World War II theme, with matching window displays.

while up on High Street traders organised a Christmas Gathering, complete with fire pit, mulled wine and music, and the National Maritime Museum offered free entry to all TR postcodes.

Choirs and bands from Falmouth and beyond, as well as street performers such as stilt walkers and Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, added to the weekend fun.

Falmouth’s cruise ship ambassadors were officially renamed the ‘Christmas Ambassadors’, helping out over the festival.

Mayor Steve Eva said: "The Festive Weekend bears testament to the strength of community spirit here in Falmouth, with many local groups, volunteers and traders getting involved.

"I’ve received terrific feedback from residents and visitors, impressed by how well Falmouth and its Town Team organises events. The new festival really has brought Christmas cheer to many people.”

The event was funded and organised by Falmouth Town Team, the management partnership between Falmouth BID and Falmouth Town Council, with support from the town's Christmas Working Group.

Falmouth BID manager Richard Wilcox said: "We’re absolutely delighted with the first Festive Weekend and the overwhelming feedback from the thousands of people who came into Falmouth over the two days has been hugely positive.

"Despite extremely challenging weather conditions in the build up to the event., our volunteers, businesses and groups came together so well to support the new idea and enable it to take place.

"The weekend is the result of feedback that we have received over the year which centred around how we can bolster the festive period in Falmouth. Out of those discussions, the Festive Weekend idea was born.

"The town was buzzing, the atmosphere terrific and the platform has now been laid to further refine, grow and develop the offer for next year.”

Such was the success that it has already been decided the event will return next year, on the weekend of December 12 and 13.

Falmouth town manager Richard Gates, who was also on the organising team, said: "I’d like to thank the many people and organisations who kindly supported us in delivering the Festive Weekend, including the fantastic Christmas Ambassadors and the Christmas Working Group.

"It’s that positive community spirit which enables us to deliver a varied Christmas programme.

"For towns to develop and thrive in the future, there has to be a focus on the destination experience and so in Falmouth we as a Town Team have worked hard over the last ten years to develop a year-round festivals programme that offers something for everyone and provide economic benefits at key times of the year."

Sadly the the strong winds over the weekend led to the cancellation of the Christmas on the Square element that had been planned in Nordic tipis on Events Square, and which included the Jump, Jive & Jingle Christmas Party with Company B.

Photos by Colin Higgs and Falmouth Town Team