Trevithick Day is Camborne’s annual celebration of Richard Trevithick, the Cornish engineer who built the first steam-powered road vehicle in 1801. The festival takes over the town centre on the last Saturday of April, with streets closed to traffic and filled with live music, processions, and working steam engines.
Four stages host bands and performers throughout the day, covering everything from folk and rock to brass and dance. A parade of steam engines, vintage vehicles, and classic cars rolls through the town, while a funfair and food stalls add to the atmosphere. The event regularly draws up to 30,000 visitors.
The day also features craft markets, children’s entertainment, and historical displays about Trevithick’s engineering achievements. His original workshop was in Camborne, and the town’s connection to the steam age runs deep through its mining heritage.
Admission is free and the festival runs from morning until late evening. Camborne is well connected by rail and the A30.