NEWQUAY’S New Year’s Eve fancy dress tradition made a welcome return.

Hundreds of revellers dressed up in various colourful costumes following Newquay BID launching its five-year plan to rebuild the once-iconic fancy dress celebrations.

The business group staged the Great Newquay Pub Fancy Dress Competition to kick-start the revival in a bid to boost footfall, support businesses and celebrate the community.

Bars, pubs, restaurants and venues were invited to choose any theme from 80s retro to movie icons.

Businesses have reported increased footfall compared with recent years, alongside a renewed sense of “atmosphere, creativity and celebration.”

Newquay BID manager Mark Warren said: “We have had a lot of good feedback about the New Year’s Eve celebrations.

“The venues were really busy. Sailors said they had a great night. There was definitely an increase in footfall this year.

“We need to continue the message about dressing up, coming out and enjoying New Year’s Eve in Newquay but doing it in the right way.

“I still think there's work to do. We started this as an opportunity going forward for the next five years, so I think it was the first time we'd really started reinventing New Year's Eve in Newquay.

“We’re really pleased with the initial focus and the improvement this year, but we know there’s more work to do. This is a long-term commitment. Newquay has changed, and our New Year’s Eve offer needs to reflect that. Vibrant, safe, family-friendly and community-led.”

Entries for the fancy dress competition will be judged online, with the winning venue receiving a prize donated by fellow businesses across the town.

Ben, the manager of Whiskers on Gover Lane, said: “I was really pleased with this year. It was much better than previous years, there was lots of dressing up and we had a great time all round.”

Chris from Sailors Nightclub added: “It was a great night and something we’re definitely going to be building on going forward.”

Meg, the manager of Concho Lounge, said: “New Years Eve was great and a lot busier than last year for us.”

Mr Warren stated Newquay BID’s plans to revive the town’s New Year’s Eve celebrations is about creating a family-friendly early-evening celebration rather than turning back the clock and returning the town to its “Wild West” party reputation.

He said: “Since the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent changes in drinking habits and nighttime culture, Newquay has struggled to achieve the New Year’s Eve crowds it once saw.

“In recent years, many venues reported little uplift, and the once-iconic fancy dress element had largely disappeared from the town’s streets. This year, however, saw a noticeable and positive shift.

“As part of a long-term five-year plan to re-establish New Year’s Eve as a key moment in the town’s calendar, Newquay BID has been working closely with local businesses to carefully rebuild the experience in a way that reflects the modern Newquay.

“The first step was intentionally gentle, with the introduction of the Newquay Pub Fancy Dress Competition, encouraging venues to share images of their teams celebrating on the night. The initiative was well received and helped reintroduce a sense of fun, colour and participation.

“Newquay BID is clear that this is not about returning to the party-town reputation of 15–20 years ago — a time which, for many, became detrimental to families, residents and the wider community.

“Instead, this is about recognising how Newquay has grown up.

“Newquay today is a very different place. It is family-friendly, community-focused and experience-led. The town has developed a strong foodie culture, an award-winning restaurant scene, vibrant cocktail bars, quality clubs, independent shopping, and a thriving adventure and activity economy.

“Visitors, including stag and hen groups, now come to Newquay to surf, kayak, coasteer, cliff jump and explore the coastline, before enjoying cocktails, dining out and a dance in the evening. It is a more balanced, respectful and diverse visitor offer than in years gone by.

“That’s the Newquay we’re celebrating,” said Newquay BID. “A Newquay that is safe, welcoming, and vibrant — without being overwhelming.

“New Year’s Eve in Newquay is designed to be inclusive. Early evening celebrations cater for families, with children’s discos and family-friendly events, while later programming offers more adult-focused entertainment, themed fancy dress and joined-up activities — all within a safe and well-managed environment.

“Safety remains a top priority, supported by extensive CCTV coverage, engaged local policing, Newquay Rangers, Pub Watch, and Best Bar None with Newquay proud to be the first location in Cornwall to adopt the scheme. This approach ensures protection for customers, businesses and staff alike.

“The town’s midnight fireworks display over Newquay Harbour, surrounded by beaches in the heart of the town centre, continues to provide a memorable focal point for residents and visitors welcoming in the New Year together.

“Newquay BID has also received nostalgic photographs from the community, some dating back 20 to 25 years, capturing Bank Street full of people celebrating. These images highlight the strong emotional connection people have with New Year’s Eve in Newquay and the desire to bring back that sense of shared celebration in a modern, responsible way.

“New Year’s Eve in Newquay is back — not as it was, but as it should be. A grown-up Newquay. A welcoming Newquay. And a town that still knows how to celebrate.”