One of Cornwall’s best-known Christian festivals, Creation Fest, has issued an urgent appeal for financial support because it faces potential closure inside the subsequent 12 months.
The long-running summer event, which mixes music, Bible teaching and family activities, says it’s battling the “change and challenge” of the past 12 months, leaving it with a deficit of £60,000.
In an announcement, organisers said: “We’ve needed to navigate rather a lot. Change of leadership and core team, changes in financial support, lower income generally and rising running costs to call a couple of.
“But despite all that, by the grace of God, Creation Fest 2025 was a tremendous time where once more we saw God move in a strong way.”
The festival, held annually on the Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge, has been a highlight of the Christian calendar within the South West for greater than 20 years. However, organisers have warned that imminent closure is now a “stark reality” unless urgent funds are raised.
They say £60,000 is required to clear current debts, while an extra £100,000 would secure the event’s twenty fifth anniversary next 12 months. A crowdfunding campaign has been launched and can remain open until 7.00pm on Wednesday 12 November.
In July, newly appointed leader Niall Dunne explained that the festival had introduced an entry fee for non-campers for the primary time in its history to assist offset rising costs.
“We are the second biggest event on the Showground every year,” he explained. “The cost of that’s considerable and gets higher every 12 months. We have an enormous bill for things like water and electricity.”
Creation Fest began as a free celebration of Christian faith and has grown into considered one of the most important annual gatherings of its kind within the region. The festival attracts hundreds of tourists each summer for worship, teaching, sports, arts and community outreach.
Despite its financial challenges, organisers say the 2025 festival saw “God move in a strong way” and stays a key space for mission and encouragement amongst believers across Cornwall, Devon and the broader South West.
They have urged Christians to wish for the event’s future, saying: “Pray with us as we seek Him for the longer term of Creation Fest. We undergo [God] whatever it looks like. It doesn’t feel like God is completed with Creation Fest, but we all know for absolute sure that God isn’t done with our region.”
The statement added: “Whatever happens, we’re excited to journey with the Church in Cornwall, Devon and the South West of the UK, to see what our God does on this time.”
If the goal isn’t met, the organisers warn that the 2026 event may not go ahead. However, they are saying they continue to be hopeful and are encouraged by messages of prayer and support from churches and individuals across the country.
 One of Cornwall’s best-known Christian festivals, Creation Fest, has issued an urgent appeal for financial support because it faces potential closure inside...){kind=link}