Organised by volunteers, our annual fair takes place at the Eden Project in mid-November with around 50 fabulous food, lifestyle and craft stalls and prize draws. Think of it as a joyous and sociable opportunity to find unique presents in a dramatic setting amid Eden’s festive lights.
More than the chance to shop, eat and chat, our key mission is to raise money for charity. Last year the fair totted up an awesome £63,000 which went to Cornwall Community Foundation (CCF) and direct to those who needed it most – at St Petroc’s, The Women’s Centre Cornwall, Young & Talented Cornwall, Wadebridge Foodbank, White Gold Cornwall and CCF’s Surviving Winter Fund.
Over the past 35 years, we have raised an awesome £1.1million for charity. The fair’s success really boils down to a winning formula of creative sellers – see this year’s list of food and drink and lifestyle stalls – clever creators, generous sponsors and a dedicated committee of volunteer organisers.
It was originally the brainchild of Lady Mary Holborow who decided, with a group of friends, to host an event in memory of her friend Charlotte Galsworthy and raise money for the nurses who cared for her. It was an immediate success with the baton taken up over the following decades by Jane Hartley and Mary’s daughter, Kate Holborow.
The founding legacy lives on as this year Kitty Galsworthy, Charlotte’s daughter-in-law, has stepped up as co-chair alongside Pix Ashworth.
Pix: “Life can race by and the fair is an opportunity for me to give back to Cornwall, whilst working with a fabulous group of volunteers – for the past 14 years. There’s something about Cornwall Community Foundation that just grabs me and you know the money is going where it’s properly needed.”
Kitty: “For me it’s about doing something within Cornwall for Cornwall with a group of amazing people who work hard, and we are able to make a difference in a very joyful and celebratory way. It’s a whole day out or a whole evening out and there aren’t that many events where you get access to great shopping, food and see some friends at the same time. You get a lot of interesting people in the same room, from stallholders to businesses and volunteers from across Cornwall, pulling together because they care.”
Highlights for 2026 (preview evening 18 November and day-fair 19 November) include:
- Grand Christmas Fair Prize Draw sponsored by PKF Francis Clark with the chance to win a painting by contemporary landscape painter Jethro Jackson, a luxury Cornish stay at Atlanta Trevone or personal styling session and £400 voucher prize from Jo & Co
- The Great Coodes Christmas Cake Stand with a showstopper tiered Christmas cake available to win
- Rodda’s Pre-loved Christmas jumpers and ski-wear stall
- Evelyn Partners Tombola with a range of fantastic prizes won on a spin
- Live music from the Rock Choir on our Preview Evening
- Plus, don’t forget that every ticket includes either the preview ticket includes a glass of wine and supper while your day ticket includes a glass of wine and lunch. (The social bit!)
