Golowan Festival CIC has not yet announced dates for its 2027 Penzance festival or Mazey Day.
The organiser’s current site remains an archive of the completed 19 to 28 June 2026 edition. That programme included processions, music, performance, workshops and markets, with Mazey Day on Saturday 27 June and Quay Fair Day on Sunday 28 June.
The name comes from the Cornish for the feast of St John, and the festival revives something Penzance actually did in the 19th century: celebrations opened on St John’s Eve, 23 June, with bonfires, fireworks, dancing and music, then moved to a fair around the town quay on Midsummer Day. The modern version dates from 1991, when Stephen Hall and people from the Penzance community restarted it. Penglaz, the horse figure that leads the processions, is a reworking of a Cornish ‘obby oss made for the festival by David and Julia Twomlow in 1992-93, so the two anchor days on the current programme - Mazey Day and Quay Fair Day - still follow the older shape of the feast.
Current status
Date: No 2027 festival range or Mazey Day date has been published yet; watch the organiser’s site for the announcement.
Venue: Events traditionally use streets, parks, halls, harbour spaces and other locations across Penzance; the 2027 programme will confirm each site.
Admission: Unknown for the next edition. In 2026, major outdoor activity such as Mazey Day was free, while the launch party and some marquee sessions were ticketed.
Programme: Giant processional artwork, parades, community music and markets are part of Golowan’s established format. Exact times, routes, performers and road closures will come with the 2027 announcement.
The organiser describes Golowan as a ten-day festival around St John’s Day in late June; the exact 2027 start and finish are still to be announced.
Where to stay
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