The festival will be launched with the annual Beer Fleet on Friday 24 May. A flotilla of boats of all shapes and sizes will make their grand entrance into Falmouth Harbour at around 7pm - A spectacular sight not to be missed.

For the first time in 2019, the opening celebrations will continue right by the water's edge in a marquee on The Greenbank Quay. Expect FREE live music from ceilidh band SPLANN, delicious food, and pop-up bars serving thirst quenching Cornish ale and more!

The subsequent days will be packed full of popular longstanding events, alongside a range of exciting new ones, including a mix of festivities suitable for all ages to enjoy, in and around the river.

An undisputed highlight of this years festival will be the return of the popular Gin Cruise, setting sail on Fri 31st May. Gin-loving seafarers will enjoy a two hour journey around the river aboard a classic wooden ferry, sampling a selection of Cornish G&Ts exclusively designed for the festival.

Falmouth Art Gallery are offering a whole host of family-fun creative workshops during the festival including maskmaking, drawing and painting. There’s also a feast of creative pop-up events taking place across the river in Flushing during the festival. Fish Factory Arts Space, Penryn will be taking part in the celebrations this year, offering a whole host of creative activities about Morgawr- the sea monster that purportedly inhabits the river.

Other major local attractions taking part this year are the National Maritime Museum Cornwall who will host an exciting programme of survival activities throughout the week and Pendennis Castle where visitors can witness an all-action battle at the Knight’s Tournament on Wednesday 29 & Thursday 30 May.

As ever, this years festival offers lots of opportunities to get out on the water including the chance to get up close to the action at the start line of the AZAB Race on board a Spectator Boaton Saturday 1st June. Miracle Theatre will be hosting an extra special one-off event on the river where guests can set sail to St Anthony Lighthouse and enjoy an exclusive screening of their 1999 short film WIND on Wednesday 29 May. Canoe Cornwall are back on Sunday 2 June, inviting for volunteers to help clean up the river by canoe as part of the Creek Clean.

There are also plenty of opportunities to get outdoors and explore on land with a whole host of guided walks taking place all over the river.

St Mawes is the place to be on Bank Holiday Monday, with annual favourite Jazz on the Quay returning from 3pm - 5pm, raising funds for Children's Hospice South West.

Film on the Ferry will also return to the King Harry Ferry on Tuesday 28 May and Thursday 30 May; films to be aired aboard the floating open air cinema this year include multi award-winning Bohemian Rhapsody and Churchill: The Untold Story of D-day.

Amy Brocklehurst, the festival's co-ordinator, commented:
“There is an amazing array of events taking place along the length and breadth of the river during the 10 days, and we hope locals and visitors alike will come out in force to enjoy them.”

CLICK HERE To see the full festival line-up, or follow the festival on Facebook /falriverfestival or Instagram /falriverfest