Redruth’s St Piran’s Festival 2025 – A Celtic Celebration

A Recap of Redruth’s St Piran’s Festival

Redruth’s 2025 St Piran’s Festival took place on Saturday 1st March. This meant the festival coincided with the celebration of the patron saint of Wales, St David, making it an extra special Celtic Celebration!

The day dawned dry and bright, with pale blue skies and a subtle spring-like quality to the sunshine. Before the official opening of the festival, the Ingleheart Singers assembled around the Miner Statue, singing a blend of traditional Cornish songs, choral music and pop.

Crowds then began to gather near the Red Squirrel mural in the Market Strand Alcove, where Cllr Stephen Barnes delivered his last festival opening speech as Mayor. In his speech, Cllr Barnes revealed the new names of Redruth Town Council’s Vans ‘St Piran,’ ‘Tolgus,’ and ‘Murdoch,’ following Redruth Town Council’s recent competition.
After Cllr Barnes’ speech, artist Marc Craig said a few words, before a ribbon cutting ceremony. The ribbon made of Cornish tartan (of course!) was held by project collaborators including Redruth Town Council’s Town Clerk Charlotte Caldwell, and Brandon Hire Station’s local branch manager John Billing. Brandon Hire Station sponsored essential equipment including a Cherry picker. Their contribution allowed Marc Craig to paint the mural on such a vast canvas.

The collaborators were also joined by Sally from Cash Access, who was present to celebrate Redruth’s Banking Hub. The Banking Hub opened a few days after the festival on Wednesday 5th March, St Piran’s Day.

Despite a rather blunt pair of scissors giving the crowd something to giggle about, the festival and mural were officially opened!

This year’s festival featured a smaller Cornish-themed market, centred around Market Strand and Market Hall. Nearby, Alma Place was a hub of activity too with hot food being served by the wonderful Xander’s Diner.

Redruth Library was also busy. In addition to the usual Saturday morning Lego Club, there was #BiliKernow pebble painting with Lowender in the Foyer. The library was also home to ‘Rise Up,’ an exciting exhibition celebrating ‘community-focused artists’ and putting the spotlight on minority languages including Kernewek, or Cornish.

Throughout the Town, there were lots of exciting activities and pop-up events. Kresen Kernow held lino printing workshops and explored the legend of St Piran with local author Alasdair Hoswell. Murdoch House was open, for people to learn about Redruth’s legendary resident inventor William Murdoch. Redruth’s current inventors converged upon Fluxus’ interactive exhibition at 89 Fore Street.

At just after 11 am, the parade began to make its way up a very busy Fore Street. Led by Redruth Town Band the parade featured local school children, community groups, local dignitaries and Tolgus the Lamb! Other bands including the Redruth Festival Band and Bagas Crowd featured in the parade, accompanied by two Osses. Stilt walkers from Hotch Potch handed out Cornish Daffodils to the crowds lining the streets watching the parade.

Following the parade, the community came together for the Trelawny Shout. Voices and flags were raised loud and proud

With “one and all,” and hand in hand;
And who shall bid us nay?

There was a subtle warmth in the air as the afternoon progressed. St Rumon’s Gardens was filled with the voices of Treleigh School’s Community Choir. The children were joined by the Pencoys Male Voice Choir, in a collaboration of Cornish songs. Redruth Town Council’s Facilities Team helped add to the spring-like atmosphere of the day with their workshop. They encouraged people to plant their very own St Piran’s sunflowers, in compostable pots they could take home. Marc Craig brought London’s Leake Street to Redruth, with a St Piran’s flag graffiti workshop.

While the festival officially finished at 3 pm, this was by no means the end of the festivities. Redruth continued its St Piran’s celebration in raucous Redruth style with a Silent Disco Ceilidh in Market Hall with Lowender. There was also a Kernow Kino Cornish Film night at The Ladder, Nos Lowen at the Buttermarket, and a night of ‘Guilty Pleasures’ at St Rumon’s Club.

Redruth’s Red Squirrel Trail was launched at the St Piran’s Festival. Local artists created their very own Red Squirrels, to accompany Marc Craig’s mural. Set in 9 different locations throughout the town, the artworks aim to raise awareness of the endangered Red Squirrel and are all still in situ at this blog’s time of publication.

Redruth’s next Festival is Murdoch Day, which will take place on Saturday 7th June. If you would like to get involved with our Festivals, contact the team at or visit our Festival Bookings page.

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