More Place-Based Cultural Events to Enjoy in the Run-Up to the Festive Season

As we move towards the festive season, a range of exciting affordable cultural events are taking place across Bodmin, helping residents and visitors connect with the town's rich heritage, creativity and community spirit. Supported through the Experience Bodmin Event Grant Programme, these events showcase the diverse organisations, venues and individuals that make Bodmin such a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

Shadow Lounge Returns to St Petroc's Church

One of Bodmin's most atmospheric venues will once again provide the backdrop for an unforgettable evening as Shadow Lounge returns to St Petroc's Church (30th & 31st October). Blending live performance, music and a unique immersive setting, the event offers audiences the chance to experience one of Cornwall's finest historic buildings in a fresh and engaging way.

Creative Workshops at Discovering42

On 1st November, local Science Museum Discovering42 will host Make Time, a free clock-making workshop celebrating the legacy of John Arnold, the pioneering clockmaker born in Bodmin in 1736. Participants will have the chance to design and create their own working clock while learning about Arnold's extraordinary contribution to precision timekeeping and maritime navigation. Alongside the workshop, visitors will be able to explore Discovering42's growing makerspace and take part in hands-on activities that combine creativity, science and practical skills.

St Petroc's Heritage Event

Experience a Snapshot of Bodmin During the 40s and 50s, presented as part of St Petroc's Heritage Event, invites audiences to explore how the town was shaped by war, recovery and social change. Through photography, stories, fashion, music and dance, the event brings the mid twentieth century vividly to life. The event draws inspiration from the remarkable archive of local photographer George Ellis, whose images captured everyday life in Bodmin and across Cornwall during the wartime and post-war years. Visitors will discover stories of a community adapting to extraordinary times, while gaining a deeper appreciation of the people and places that helped shape modern Bodmin.

Supporting Culture, Heritage and Community

These events form part of Experience Bodmin's ongoing commitment to supporting place-based cultural activity that celebrates Bodmin's unique identity. By providing grants to local organisations and event organisers, the programme helps bring new experiences to residents and visitors while strengthening community connections and showcasing the town's rich cultural offer.

Lasting Legacy

More than a series of standalone events, these grant-supported projects are designed to leave a lasting legacy for the town, helping organisers test the long-term sustainability of new cultural ideas while encouraging local creatives, residents and visitors alike to take a chance on Bodmin. By supporting innovation, collaboration and community participation, the programme aims to build confidence in Bodmin as a place where culture can thrive, grow and inspire future opportunities.