A Guide to Mousehole Harbour Lights 2023

Last Updated on 26th October 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

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Filled within fishing cottages and surrounded by the sea, you may well have heard of the picturesque village of Mousehole thanks to the popular children’s book, The Mousehole Cat. Especially popular during the summer, what you may well not know is that for over fifty years, the Mousehole Harbour Lights Christmas display shines brightly in Mount’s Bay during the winter time. Here’s your guide on how to see the beautiful illuminations, as well as travel tips to know before your visit.

Mousehole Harbour Lights 2023 times and dates: The lights are set to be switched on between 5pm and 6pm on December 11th but there will be no formal ceremony. Between 11th – 21st of December from 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM there will be various live shows and performances. The lights will be switched on daily between 5pm to 10pm from the 11th December up until January 6th.

Introducing Mousehole, the prettiest Cornish Coastal Village

Though many tourists choose to visit the postcard-perfect community during the summer, you may well want to consider a trip during the off-season (i.e. during the winter).

After all, accommodation is often as much as half the summer price and there are no tourists to be found, meaning that you’ll pretty much get the place to yourself. Mousehole has existed for centuries and is allegedly the place where the last true Native speaker of the Cornish language died in 1777.

Located around two miles away from Penzance, along the Southern coast of Cornwall, though Mousehole doesn’t offer much by way of attractions, the true charm of the place lies in its charming nature and breathtaking setting.

Nearby, you can even spy the impossibly beautiful tidal island of St Michael’s Mount. While I’m sure you’ve certainly heard of Mont Saint Michel in Normandy, you may well not know that the very same order of Monks constructed an abbey at St Michael’s Mount close to a thousand years ago. If you want to learn more about Mousehole, here’s my beautiful fishing village guide.

A history of the Mousehole Harbour Lights

When a simple string of lights was hung up by local artist, Joan Gillchrest, along the harbour front to bring a little winter cheer in 1963, an idea was born. From then on, the Mousehole Harbour Lights have gone from strength to strength, growing in number each year. And not just in terms of lights either!

Each year, the crowd grows and all the village cafés, boutiques, and pubs are open ’til late, providing the perfect respite from the bitter chill and sea breeze outside.

My personal favourite café in the village is Hole Foods (10 N Cliff, Mousehole). With a wonderful harbour view, they even serve veggie marshmallows with their hot chocolates!

How to visit the Mousehole Harbour Lights

Now in its 57th year (2020 being cancelled due to ongoing world events), each night from 5 pm and 11 pm, from the middle of December 2021 until early January 2020, the port is illuminated by a thousand twinkling lights.

Ranging from traditional Christmas shapes (a Christmas pudding, candles, the nativity) to the symbol of the lights (a mouse holding a lightbulb), and even some more obscure lights (a fish pie!) there’s something for all the family to enjoy.

Some of the more unusual lights on display include a dragon on the water, and several sailboats floating on the waves. High above the village, there are several displays depicting Santa, a star, and even wishing you a Happy New Year. Most impressive of all, there’s a Celtic cross on St Clement’s Island a little way out to sea.

Important to note is that the lights are entirely free to enjoy, though donations along the seafront are always welcome. As the fishing village is small and winding, parking (which you have to pay for) is extremely limited and I highly recommend heading to Mousehole well in advance of the sunset in order to guarantee a spot.

During some of the festive period, a Carolaire takes place. Essentially, this is where members of several Mousehole societies sing carols in the open-air. If you want to get a glimpse of the Christmas lights for yourself and happen to be reading this during the Mousehole light display, then be sure to check out this live webcam for another perspective.