Popular Cornwall Christmas market scrapped after a decade - leaving visitors out of pocket and stallholders facing £50 'admin fee' to get their money back

Published: 11:24 EDT, 19 October 2026 | Updated: 11:26 EDT, 19 October 2026 A much-loved Christmas market that has drawn tens of thousands of visitors to Cornwall over the past decade has been scrapped, with organisers blaming rising costs and mounting challenges.Fowey Christmas Market, famed for its festive atmosphere, local food and drink, handcrafted gifts and live entertainment, was due to run from December 4 to 6 this year.The cancellation will come as a blow to visitors and local traders alike, with some already having booked accommodation specifically to attend the event.Announcing the decision on Facebook, organisers said the market's viability had become 'extremely challenging' over the past five years.They added: 'After putting our heart and soul into this event over the last 10 years, it is with a heavy heart to inform you that Fowey Christmas Market, provisionally scheduled for 4th - 6th December 26, will not be taking place this year.' Fowey Christmas Market was provisionally scheduled to take place from December 4 to 6Increased costs, operational challenges and 'other factors outside of our control' were cited as reasons behind the decision. An email reportedly sent out to stallholders from Live Events South West explained traders would be given a refund, minus a £50 admin fee. According to Cornwall Live, the email read: 'As part of the terms and conditions we can move the event to a new location and or to an alternative date. Alternatively we could roll your booking over to next year should this issue be resolved for 2027. 'However, we do not feel any of these are the fairest course of action and will therefore refund all stallholders less a £50 + admin charge (which is 50% less than the T&C's state). 'You also have the option to transfer your funds to book onto either of the below events should you wish to, info for these is attached. Terms and conditions are also attached. Hopefully you will see we are doing our best to minimise the impact on stallholders.' Some visitors had already booked accommodation in the area specifically to attend Fowey Christmas Market and are now left unable to get their money back. One commented on Facebook: 'So we booked 2 nights accommodation in Fowey 3 months ago specifically for the Christmas market and parades etc. 'We cannot get a refund. Will there be any festivities going on at all? We are very disappointed.' However, organisers have cancelled the festive event due to increased costs, operational challenges and 'other factors outside of our control'Another disappointed visitor said: 'Yesterday I booked and paid for kennels for our 4 dogs and accommodation for ourselves.... surely more notice could have been given??? 'I saw this advertised in Country Living magazine so it was lucky my son saw it was cancelled and contacted me... do the people who forced this not to happen pay compensation? Very annoyed.'The market is a special event for locals too, and one resident fumed: 'Oh no....I love this Christmas Market. Its our local one. It is a beautiful market in a beautiful little town. 'I get my Christmas bits and pieces from the food stalls. I hope this is not the end and issues can be resolved going forward.'Fowey Christmas Market's statement mentioned how 'over the last few years a handful of individuals who do not represent the views of our visitors or wider town have their own agenda, which negatively impacts the event, local businesses and traders', though they did not name who had caused the issues.It added: 'This includes, but not limited to, moving this year's light switch on and parade to a different date from the traditional opening night of the market. This comes after our most attended light switch on ever last year and has a direct impact on the viability of the event.'Their actions have been carried out without due consideration of how this affects our visitors, local businesses, suppliers and traders. Unfortunately this has taken its toll, created a huge amount of unnecessary stress and additional work, whilst negatively impacting the event programme, and the event financials and operations.'The Daily Mail has approached Fowey Christmas Market for comment.