How to enjoy Falmouth's music and theatre scene on a student budget

Are you a live music and theatre lover? Discover how you can make the most of Falmouth’s thriving theatre and music scene without breaking the bank. 

Performance venues in Falmouth

Princess Pavilion

The first stop I want to take you to is Princess Pavilion in Falmouth, which is a beautiful theatre and music venue set in four acres of formal gardens.

Princess Pavilion provides a variety of year-round creative events, from live music to theatre performances, and is the perfect place to see artists local to Cornwall and those further afield.

During my time at Falmouth University, I have been able to see different theatre performances and take part in acting workshops at Princess Pavilion that have been both affordable and beneficial, especially with the chance for further discounts for students provided by Falmouth University’s AMATA department.

The Poly

Swiftly moving on to our next stop, live arts venue The Poly – which is home to both a cinema and theatre space. Tickets to music and theatre shows tend to range from £3-£12, making it a budget-friendly place for students to access the theatre and music scene in Falmouth.

The Poly also offers the opportunity to volunteer, something I am currently doing. Not only does volunteering give you the chance to support the local creative community while gaining professional experience, but you can often get access to events in exchange for your time.

I would highly recommend getting involved as a volunteer – it’s such a beneficial experience, and a great way to access live events without spending a penny.

Live music venues in Falmouth

The thriving live music scene in Falmouth includes both international artists and up-and-coming talent. There’s a whole host of live music venues in Falmouth to choose from, from venues dedicated solely to music to other local pubs that have a range of regular events for a smaller, quieter atmosphere.

The Chintz Symposium & Underland

The Chintz Symposium and sister venue Underland host free weekly live music events. Monday Jazz night is one of my personal favourites. The resident Cornish jazz band plays upbeat songs perfect for getting up and dancing to, and what’s even better is the only cost of the night is the pint (or lemonade!) in your hand.

The beautiful interior of The Chintz is so unique, with its assortment of decorations and balcony looking over Old Brewery Yard. I can honestly say it’s one of the most wonderful venues to listen to an eclectic range of music. So, when you get here, make sure you grab your flatmates and friends and head down to The Chintz for a low-budget evening of high-quality music.

The Cornish Bank

Another live music venue in Falmouth I would highly recommend is The Cornish Bank, which I only discovered late into my first year of university and now I am trying to make up for all my lost time! The supportive atmosphere created by the community at The Cornish Bank is amazing, and is something I would highly recommend experiencing.

This vibrant venue is a non-profit, community arts space based in the centre of Falmouth that hosts a range of gigs and events, including Folk Night and Open Mic Night (a personal favourite), which are both free of charge! They offer affordable prices for ticketed events, with the option to donate more if you wish, and their pay as you feel policy on their canteen meals, unique to The Cornish Bank, is perfect for students on a budget looking for quality food.

The line-up is seriously impressive, with the venue booking big-name acts from across the country and beyond, including Gwenno, Beans on Toast and COOPS. However, what I find particularly special is the opportunity to see local talent up on stage. At the Open Mic Night, anyone interested in playing or singing has the chance to perform, and seeing friends and discovering new talent is such a beautiful thing to witness.

Falmouth’s theatre and live music scene is incredibly vibrant and completely unique. It’s also very accessible for the local student community. Days and nights out here don’t have to be expensive to be memorable.

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