Experience the Magic of Santa's Arrival by Lifeboat

Join Us for a Festive Celebration in St Ives

A unique community tradition where Santa makes his grand entrance by lifeboat, bringing joy and excitement to St Ives.

Stick around for a Santa’s Magical “Wicked” Weekend of festivities themed around good and evil, pink and green, Glinda and Elphaba.

5th - 7th December 2025

Donate Now

Experience the Magic of Santa's Arrival by Lifeboat

Join Us for a Festive Celebration in St Ives

A unique community tradition where Santa makes his grand entrance by lifeboat, bringing joy and excitement to St Ives.

Stick around for a Super Santa Saturday of Christmas festivities.

5th - 6th December 2025

Donate Now

Santa's On His Way......

Day(s)

:

Hour(s)

:

Minute(s)

:

Second(s)

December in Magical St Ives

Santa’s arrival marks the start of Christmas festivities in St Ives. We have a range of events throughout the month to bring Christmas alive. Our featured events are below. Click Calendar for our full schedule and check back for more information as events are being added through the month.

Events Calendar

December 2025

Friday 5th
December

Santa by Lifeboat

Date 5th DecemberTime 5:00 pm - 6:30 pmVenue The WharfLocation Wharf Road, TR26 1LF St Ives Organizer St Ives In DecemberCategory Entertainment, Family, For Children, Free
Witness the magical moment as Santa arrives by lifeboat, marking the start of our festive celebrations. Get there early this year as Santa will be arriving at about 5.30pm. With music from Lee Davids.
Friday 5th
December

Procession to Royal Square

Date 5th DecemberTime 6:00 pm - 6:30 pmVenue The WharfLocation Wharf Road, TR26 1LF St Ives Organizer St Ives In DecemberCategory Entertainment, Family, For Children, Free
Storm Troopers provide an honour guard for Santa as he takes to his sleigh for the short journey to Royal Square.
Friday 5th
December

Personal Appearances by Santa

Date 5th DecemberTime 8:00 pm - 9:00 pmVenue The WharfLocation Wharf Road, TR26 1LF St Ives Category Entertainment
Personal appearances by Santa to our lead sponsor venues. Expect Santa surrounded by his elves, and a lot of ho ho ho.
Saturday 6th
December

Markets, Markets, Markets!

Date 6th DecemberTime 10:00 am - 5:00 pmCategory Markets
If you love artisan markets – local produce, arts and crafts from local makers, we’ve got an extravaganza for you. There’s two to choose from, both right in the heart of the town and full of local makers and artisans: St Ives institution, FairMo is at St Ia Church, b and another at the Salvati...
Saturday 6th
December

Santa Super Saturday Street Entertainment

Date 6th DecemberTime 11:00 am - 5:00 pmVenue Fore StreetLocation Fore Street, TR26 1HE St Ives Organizer St Ives In DecemberCategory Entertainment, Family, For Children, Free
St Ives is going to be packed for the weekend of 6th December. Celebrating Santa's arrival on the Friday night, followed by Street Entertainment on Saturday afternoon. We have music from St Ives Concert Orchestra and St Ives Ukelele band, stilt walkers, elves, a flying elephant ride, a children's sn...
Saturday 6th
December

Santa Grotto

Date 6th DecemberTime 11:00 am - 4:00 pmVenue LibraryLocation Gabriel St, TR26 2LX Saint Ives Category For Children
Come and meet the big man himself, share your wishes for Christmas and hang out in the Elves’ grotto. For children from 4 to 14
Saturday 6th
December

Phil and Friends Evening of Songs from the Shows

Date 6th DecemberTime 6:00 pm - 8:30 pmVenue St Ives TheatreLocation Lower Stennack, Saint Ives TR26 1QG, TR26 1QG St Ives Organizer St Ives In DecemberCategory Entertainment, Family, Theatre
Phil Barnett and Friends entertain you with an evening of songs from the shows. A “Wicked” evening of songs from The Greatest Showman, Wicked, Disney, Les Mis, Six, Chicago & many more!
Come along & meet Glinda, Elphaba & other princesses before the show & during the interval.
...
Friday 26th
December

Boxing Day Swim

Date 26th DecemberTime 11:30 am - 12:30 pmVenue Porthminster BeachLocation The Warren, TR26 2EA St Ives Organizer St Ives In DecemberCategory Sport
Join us on Porthminster beach for a Boxing Day dip. It’s a great way to clear the cobwebs.
Wednesday 31st
December

New Years Eve Street Party

Date Dec 31, 2025 - 1st JanuaryTime 5:00 pm - 12:30 amVenue The WharfLocation Wharf Road, TR26 1LF St Ives Category Entertainment, Family, Free
Celebrate the end of the year with one of the UK’s largest fancy dress street parties. Come and soak up the atmosphere, stay for the spectacular midnight fireworks display over the harbour.

Friday 5th: Santa's Spectacular Arrival

This December, St Ives will once again kick off the festive season in the most magical way possible – with Santa arriving by Lifeboat! Supported by the RNLI, this much-loved tradition brings the community together for an unforgettable celebration. 

This year, the tides are perfectly aligned with Santa’s schedule for a special Friday night arrival, meaning no school in the morning! 

This promises plenty of festive cheer, and the event is set to be bigger and better than ever.  It’s an event which the whole family can enjoy, so come along and be part of the fun

 

What Our Visitors Say

“Watching Santa arrive by lifeboat is a magical moment for my family. It’s a tradition we look forward to every year!”

Emily R.
“The festive atmosphere in St Ives during December is unmatched. The community really comes together to make it special.”
John T.
“I love how the event brings everyone together. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season!”
Sarah L.

Join the Team

 

St Ives in December is run entirely by volunteers and there are a myriad of tasks which need your help. If you can lend a hand, with planning, logistics, social media or with marshalling/fundraising on the night, we’d love to hear from you. Many hands make light work, and if we all do a little, together we’ll achieve a great result. Let us know where your skills lie and what you would be willing to offer.

 

Volunteer

Sponsor Us

 

St Ives in December relies on donations and we’re  asking local businesses to help with the cost of making a weekend to remember. With early December normally being a quiet time in St Ives,  the celebration weekend offers a real boost to retail and hospitality. We want to give local people the opportunity to enjoy their town and invite visitors to join us. Click here to get started.

 

Sponsorship

Get in Touch with Us

Contact Our Team

We’d love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our events or want to get involved, reach out to us for more information.

Donate
Sponsorship
Volunteer

Get in Touch

Name
I'm interested in: