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 - 6th December 2025
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
Santa Cancelled due to Appalling Weather
Unfortunately, due to the appalling weather, high winds and very high surge on the tide, we’ve had to take the very difficult decision to cancel tonight’s Lifeboat arrival. This decision has been taken by the RNLI Coxswain in conjunction with the St Ives in December team and other interested parties. Our first consideration is always to keep people safe, and if we have questions around that, we would be reckless to proceed.
Tomorrow’s programme is still scheduled to go ahead, weather permitting, and the Santa’s Grotto, markets and concert will proceed whatever the weather.
We apologise for the inconvenience caused. We’re all devastated by this news.
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.
December 2025
The Great Christmas Singalong
Boxing Day Swim
Note: this is a community tradition which takes place spontaneously, not organised by the St Ives in December committee. Sea swimming can be hazardous and is undertaken at your own risk. The water is cold and the sea is a natural environment which is not controlled by humans. Please assess for yourself that you are comfortable to enter the water based on the sea conditions and your personal experience/abilities. There is no lifeguard, public safety or first aid cover present. If in doubt, ...
New Years Eve Street Party
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.
John T.
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.
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.
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.