Welcome to Camborne Trevithick Day, a celebration of Camborne's most famous local hero, incorporating our engineering heritage, Cornish culture, music and fun on one amazing day at the end of April each year.
Mark your calendar for 25th April 2026!
Steam engines, large and small, are a significant feature of the day, leading the dances, and forming a parade of steam at the end of the day. A working replica of Trevithick’s Engine, the Puffing Devil, is the star of the show, and visitors can get up close to dozens of heritage steam engines of all shapes and sizes. Vintage vehicles and exhibitions of model vehicles, as well as displays by local school children are hosted across town, and the Fair is also a huge draw.
Stalls line the main streets, offering bargains of all kinds, delicious food, and the opportunity to donate to local good causes – and maybe win a prize. The local traders get in on the act as well, offering deals and special products, and many theme their window displays to match the event.
Four music stages throughout the town host a wealth of local talent, featuring well-known choirs and brass bands, local schools, Cornish folk music on the Nos Lowen stage, and both established and up-and-coming singers, musicians and entertainers of all kinds. There’s something for everyone, and always opportunities for newcomers to take part.
Camborne Trevithick Day is run as a Community Interest Company, and organised each year by a dedicated team of volunteers. If you are interested in helping out, either in the run-up to the event, or on the day, we would love to hear from you.
What is Trevithick Day?
Camborne Trevithick Day celebrates Richard Trevithick, Camborne’s most famous local hero. He is acknowledged across the world as the inventor and creator of the very first steam-powered locomotive. Its inaugural drive took place on Christmas Eve, 1801, up Camborne Hill, and has since been immortalised in song. Every steam engine across the world is a descendent of Trevithick’s invention.
Trevithick Day has been celebrated in Camborne for more than forty years, and is a whole-town occasion. Roads are closed, and the day begins with a procession of pipes and drums through the main street. Children from the local primary schools dance through the town, dressed in replica mining costumes, and are followed in the afternoon by the adults’ dance, with participants wearing Cornish tartan ties or sashes.
Our Chairman Trevor Brookes explains it, in a short video shot during Trevithick Day 2025:
The highlight of the day is the amazing steam parade,
filmed for us in 2025 by Capturing Cornwall
Camborne Trevithick Day CIC is delighted to announce that we have been awarded the King’s Award for Voluntary Service, the ‘MBE for community groups’, in recognition of the work of the committee, and the positive year-round impact of our event on the town and local area.
See our press release here.
Trevithick's Puffing Devil
Come along and join us for a day out in Camborne.
The Puffing Devil, a fully working replica of Trevithick's original steam engine, will be based in Basset Street.
- Steam engines and steam parade
- Four stages with local bands and choirs
- Street entertainers
- Stalls
- Street food
- Funfair
- Exhibitions
- Schools competition
- Vintage vehicles
- Stationary engines, next to The Wesley Chapel.
- Morning and afternoon dances led by Camborne Town Band
- Park & Ride on vintage buses
What happens on the day?
Join us for a day of music, entertainment, lots of steam and all the fun of the fair!
Ride the vintage buses
Ride here in style!
Please use the Park and Ride facility to get here as parking is limited. Our 'Ride' is vintage buses!
For details of where the Park and Ride carpark is, and other details, see
Join in the dances
Trevithick’s Dance (adults) 2.30 pm
Open to people aged 12 or over who live, work or study in Camborne.
Use our contact form if you want to join in.
Bal Maidens & Miners Dance (children) 10.15 am
The dance is taught to local schools who are encouraged to participate. Your child's school will explain how to get involved.
See the engines
Steam up!
Steam engines from all over the country line up in Basset Road and then parade through the town at approximately 3.30pm.
It’s a magnificent sight, not to be missed.
We have fair organs and miniature steam engines also on display.
You can find the stationary engines next to the Wesley Chapel on Chapel Street.
Street Entertainment
Entertainment for all ages
Entertainers, musicians, jugglers and theatre groups perform throughout the day. As well as our four stages for local bands and singing groups.
See the full list (subject to change) on our events page.
Don't forget to go and see the vintage cars on Union Street and tractors on Chapel Street.
All for FREE!!
Indoor Exhibitions
Lots of things indoors
Schools' competition entries and art exhibition at the Masonic Hall, model exhibitions at Camborne Community Centre and Camborne Parish Church, the Centenary Chapel flower festival, and many more events.
Follow our Facebook page for up to date information.
Stalls and Fairground
Enjoy your day out!
Rosewarne car park is transformed into a funfair, with all the usual rides and stalls.
Stallholders including crafts, local voluntary organisations and traders take over the main streets, where bargains can be found, and prizes won. And don't forget the wide range of food stalls offering drinks, snacks, ice cream and food to keep you going all day.
If you are interested in a stall for 2026, fill in the stalls form on our How to take part page and send it to the email address provided.
Richard Trevithick - History worth celebrating
Trevithick Monument – Station Road, Pool
The Trevithick Monument is a Grade II Listed Building and was first listed on 4th October 2005.
The monument is believed to have been erected in the 1930’s by either the original Illogan Parish Council or Camborne & Redruth Urban District Council and was designed in appreciation of the great inventor and his gifts to the world.
The monument is situated on the site of the house in which Richard Trevithick was born on 13th April 1771.
The Story of Richard Trevithick
Trevithick's 250th Birthday
To mark Richard Trevithick’s 250th Birthday we commissioned this animation all about Richard’s life and inventions, aimed at our younger audience.
Did you know he took steam engine parts over the Andes by donkey to help set up mines in Peru , went pearl fishing in Costa Rica and was chased by alligators in Ecuador?
Watch with little ones
Join Fred & Pete to take a ride on a replica of the Puffing Devil - Fred & Pete's Treasure Tales on BBC iPlayer.
Support Trevithick Day
Help keep Trevithick Day going by donating using the button below
Every penny or pound you give will help pay for an element of the day
The volunteers that organise this event do it for free and appreciate all donations
Our Wonderful Sponsors in 2025
Trevithick Day is fully funded by grants & sponsorship
We'd like to thank the following sponsors for their support, without them, Trevithick Day couldn't go ahead!
