St Ives Town Council has confirmed the 46th John Knill Ceremony for Saturday 25 July 2026. The observance takes place every five years and was last held in 2021, making this a time-specific part of the town’s 2026 calendar rather than an annual event.
The ceremony follows instructions in John Knill’s 1797 will. The council records that the first observance took place in 1801 and that the Knill Trustees are the Mayor, the Customs Officer and the Vicar. Knill’s Steeple, a 15-metre granite monument on Worvas Hill, is the focal point.
The specified party includes a fiddler, 10 dancing girls and two widows of fishermen, seamen or tinners. Participants wear white knot ribbons, process around the monument and sing the hundredth psalm. The Town Council organises the ceremony on behalf of the trustees.
Visitor information
Date: Saturday 25 July 2026.
Location: The official listing describes locations across St Ives, with the ceremony centred on Knill’s Steeple. A public route and start time have not yet been published on the pages checked.
Admission: No visitor ticket or admission arrangement is stated. Check the council notice before attending rather than assuming that every part of the ceremony has open access.
Access: The event moves between town locations and a hilltop monument. The current listing does not explain step-free viewing points or transport arrangements, so visitors with access requirements should ask St Ives Town Council for the final plan.
Where to stay
See St Ives visitor information and browse places to stay in St Ives for the 25 July ceremony.
