The beloved Padstow Christmas Festival has been cancelled after 17 years, with "escalating costs" and a shortfall in sponsorship being cited as the reasons behind the decision. The event, which is one of the UK's largest of its kind, was scheduled to run from December 4 to 8 this year, attracting thousands of visitors to the Cornish town for a four-day celebration filled with market stalls, culinary delights, and the much-anticipated Sharp's Chefs Theatre.

The festival not only brings festive cheer but also serves as a crucial platform for small businesses during the holiday season, transforming the heart of Padstow into a winter wonderland. However, Tina Evans, the founder and organiser of the event, has made the difficult announcement that the 2024 festival will not take place.

In a disheartening update to traders on Friday (May 10), Evans expressed her sorrow: "It is with great sadness and regret that I have been left with no alternative but to cancel the 2024 Padstow Christmas Festival. With escalating costs and lack of sponsorship the event has become financially non-viable.

She further explained the financial predicament: "Having paid out deposits and initial costs it has become painfully obvious that the festival could not carry on. So to minimise the financial loss as far as possible to cancel now is the best option.

"We could have carried on but I know in my heart of hearts that I would have had to cancel later on and then the financial loss to all would have been much greater. My sincere apologies to you all. It has been a great 17 years and I know some of you have supported us for many many years and I am truly sorry that we can not continue. I wish you all well for the future. You all have great products so I know whatever events you decide to do you will all be succesful."

In 2022, the event introduced an entry fee of £7 to help cover rising costs. However, this was met with backlash from some visitors, who called it "greedy" and "atrocious". As a result, the entry fee was dropped last year and the market reverted back to being free to enter.

In a statement, the organisers said: "We could have carried on but I know in my heart of hearts that I would have had to cancel later on and then the financial loss to all would have been much greater. My sincere apologies to you all. It has been a great 17 years and I know some of you have supported us for many many years and I am truly sorry that we can not continue."

They added: "I wish you all well for the future. You all have great products so I know whatever events you decide to do you will all be succesful."