Golowan Festival 2024

How Will You Shine For Golowan? Fatel wrewgh golowi rag Golowan?

In difficult times, with a world seemingly in turmoil, it is with joy and gratitude that, in the 34th year of its revival, we celebrate the beacon of light that is the Golowan Festival in Penzance.

That light is reflected in our theme for 2024, “Together, We Shine” as we seek to celebrate all that is brilliant and inspirational – both past and present – in our wonderful community here in West Cornwall.

Golowan has for more than thirty years brought all sectors and all ages of our community together in a joyous celebration of Midsummer madness, music and mayhem, including the fantastic images created with love and skill by local artists, students and community groups parading down Market Jew Street on Mazey Day.

“This year’s Golowan theme could not be more fitting – celebrating the togetherness that not only makes us shine, but also builds our resilience and community spirit in an uncertain world. The team at Golowan CIC, and the countless volunteers and friends of Golowan, embody that spirit of togetherness perfectly.

I’m especially pleased that this year we are welcoming the bagad marching band from Concarneau, our twin town in Brittany, who this year will lead the Civic Parade on Mazey Day – shining a light on our shared Celtic traditions and heritage.

Golowan is a unique, one-of-a-kind festival that brings the generations together in a celebration of who we are. I am proud and honoured to part of it again this year.” Stephen Reynolds – mayor of Penzance

All your old favourites are here – Mock Mayor, the Serpent Dance, the Fireworks, music and parades – together with the successful Youth Music innovations that we introduced in recent years.

Tradition and innovation will always be key to Golowan as we grow and shine together.

Sunday 23rd June at 10.30Am sees the Civic parade leave from St. John’s Hall and at 9.30PM we gather at the top of Chapel Street for the Torchlit Procession.

Thursday 27th June from 7pm in the Golowan marquee in St. Anthony’s Gardens, we will vote for this year’s Mock Mayor. Who will stand? What will they stand for?!

Friday 28th June at 10.45PM, the fireworks will illuminate Abbey Slip and Ross Bridge and at 11PM Penglaz will be called from his lair at The Barbican on Battery Road and lead us in The Serpent Dance. Grab someone’s hand and hold tight!

Saturday 29th June is Mazey Day! Get your shiny shoes and sparkle on and come and shine with us. Parades are at 10Am, 11AM, 1PM and 3PM. Amaze at the creativity of Penzance as the incredible structures pass down Market Jew Street. There’s music, dancing, good food and stalls and the Bandstand in Morrab Gardens will be in full swing.

Sunday 30th June Quay Fair Day. Down on the prom and around the harbour, music and stalls abound. Don’t forget your dancing shoes. The Community Showcase will be in Morrab Gardens. Can you shine for one more day?!

Of course, the Fair will be on the Quay from Wednesday 26th through to the end of Quay Fair Day on Sunday.

We are keeping things sustainable with our reusable cups and please travel by train, book your tickets at www.GWR.com – our official travel partners.

And don’t forget to make your donations to the Golowan buckets. These donations go directly to the infrastructure of the festival and make sure it survives for another year. If we all put in the price of a pasty each…

All the best efforts of this Golowan people’s army would, of course, incredibly more difficult without the continuing support of our main partner Penzance Town Council together with the Arts Council of England, FEAST, Penzance BID, Sustainable Penzance and our sponsors and partners – a massive thank you, one and all!

All the information and a downloadable programme is at www.Golowanfestival.org

photo Credits: Cam de pete