The Tamar Valley River Festival on Saturday October 26, Calstock, is a FREE family-friendly event celebrating the River Tamar through art, crafts, music, food and drink.

From 10am, a host of interactive activities and workshops will be on offer, including folk music, gig boat racing, multimedia exhibitions, singing workshops, interactive family-friendly drama performances, art activities as well as a River of Hope exhibition and parade by local school children. The festival will come to a close at 5pm, followed by an evening of music provided by local venues.

Local schools, Calstock Parish Council, Tamar Valley National Landscape, Tamar Grow Local, the National Trust and a number of community groups are involved.

Highlights

  • 10am – morning yoga, Calstock Arts
  • 12pm – Allis the Shad interactive drama performance by Stiltskin Creative Arts & Theatre Co, Calstock Arts
  • 12pm – Wrecker Border Morris interactive dance performance, Village Green
  • 1pm – River of Hope Parade from the train station to the Village Green
  • 2pm – The Rubber Band performance, Village Green
  • 2pm – The History of Cornwall interactive drama performance by Kernow King, Calstock Arts
  • 5pm – River Festival finishes
  • From 6pm – Live music provided by local venues

Festival goers will be able to jump on board of the Calstock Ferry, when it will be taking revellers for short cruises of the Tamar River. This will be an opportunity for people to find out more about the electric eco-ferry that will be opening in Spring 2025 as a trial. Pick up your tokens for £1 from the Tamar Valley National Landscape stand (all proceeds will go to the RNLI).

Bryony James, Tamara Community and Volunteering Officer says: “We are so excited to be hosting this brand-new River Festival, which we have worked with the local community to create! The River Tamar is such an incredibly important and beautiful river and we wanted to develop something to celebrate and recognise this. It links the landscape together, borders two counties – Devon and Cornwall – and has shaped livelihoods and activities in the Tamar Valley for thousands of years. There’s going to be so much for all the family to see and do – we’re so looking forward to seeing you all.”

How can I get there?

By train using the Tamar Valley Line (Plymouth to Gunnislake), by bus (route 79/79A), or by car. Free park and ride location TBC dependent or weather conditions, please follow roads signs. Free Blue Badge parking at the Quay Car Park next to Calstock Village Hall.

Some events and activities need to be booked in advance via Eventbrite and you can find out more about the festival here www.tamaralandscapepartnership.org.uk/tamar-valley-river-festival/.

The Tamar Valley River Festival is a Tamara Landscape Partnership Scheme event. The Scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund aims to create a brighter future for the Tamar Valley and its communities.