A folkloric festival to commemorate the end of summer and the beginning of the ‘darker half’ of the year whilst honouring ancestors returns to Tintagel on Saturday, October 26.

The Dark Gathering, now in it’s 11th year, is a unique community event which has its roots in Boscastle at Hallowtide – a period for commemorating the departed, and reflecting on mortality, with the name originating from All Hallows’ Eve. In 2023, the event moved to the historic town of Tintagel, where it was warmly welcomed.

Traditionally The Dark Gathering is celebrated each year on the Saturday before Halloween. This usually falls on the half-term school holidays, meaning that families and friends can join in as the community think of and remember ancestors and loved ones.

The event is also associated with Samhain, which is a Gaelic festival on November 1, marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the darker half of the year.

The Dark Gathering has evolved into an iconic event, which features invited performers from Cornwall, Devon and beyond.

This includes Border Morris groups Black Swan from Surrey and Grimspound from Newton Abbot; Mr Fox fire performers; Kekessa Cornish singers and dancers, and this year Takam – an incredible troupe from Mexico with their spell binding Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) presentation and performance – all alongside the important ‘Pwnco’ meeting of the Cornish and Welsh Osses, to mark the end of Summer and the beginning of Winter.

Honouring ancestors is a very special, and integral, part of The Dark Gathering, as each year new ancestors join the ranks of the blessed company of the dearly beloved.

Gates open at 12 noon with entertainment from local shanty singers The Boscastle Buoys before the main event starts at 2pm.

For this year's event, a percentage of the funds raised will go to Cornwall Hospice Care.

For more details, visit: www.thedarkgathering.co.uk