Popular events in Mousehole
Mousehole and neighbouring communities boast a diverse and full calendar of events to suit everyone. This ranges from ancient traditions to more adrenaline inducing events. There are also several festivals dotted throughout the year, including the Mousehole Lights and Tom Bawcock’s Eve. We have listed the key events in Mousehole below.
Mousehole Lights
Founded in 1963 by a small group of local residents, the Mousehole Christmas lights have become an iconic and destination event and one of the most popular Cornish Christmas traditions. The lights are switched in mid-December until around the first week in January. Choirs, carols, shanties, food stalls, processions and mulled wine create a magical Christmas village by the sea.
Tom Bawcock’s Eve
Held in the village on 23rd December every year, the legendary Tom Bawcock is the 16th century fisherman who allegedly saved the villagers from starvation, bravely going out to sea and battling storms that had prevented fishing. The story tells that in return his whole catch was baked into a pie at The Ship Inn, somewhat miraculously containing as many as seven different types of fish. And so was born the infamous Stargazy pie with the heads of the fish poked through the pastry lid as proof of the catch. These days, following a procession of children, musicians and dancers carrying lanterns through the village, Stargazy pie is still baked at The Ship Inn and served in the village on 23rd December each year and has been part of the Mousehole Christmas light celebrations since the 1950s.