Prepare for an exciting holiday adventure in Exeter! Our guide has all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're rediscovering Exeter or falling in love with it for the first time, this guide maximizes your holiday cheer.
The Christmas Market brings a delightful array of festive stalls, offering everything from unique gifts to delicious treats. Experience the magic of the Christmas Lights Switch On, where the city is illuminated with dazzling displays. And the Winter Wonderland Exeter is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring enchanting attractions for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Exeter
- Christmas Market
- Christmas Lights Switch On
- Winter Wonderland Exeter
- Exeter Cathedral Christmas Carols
- Exeter Northcott Theatre Christmas Panto
- Exeter Festival of Carols
- Christmas at Killerton
- Powderham Castle Christmas
- Exeter Christmas Craft Fair
- Carols at the Quay
Exeter Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Synchronized light show across multiple city landmarks
Description:
Exeter's Christmas Lights Switch On event captivates with a synchronized light display across multiple city landmarks. This coordinated illumination brings the city's architecture to life, highlighting historical facades and modern structures alike. The event features a countdown led by a local celebrity, building anticipation throughout the crowd. Rooted in a tradition dating back to the 1950s, the switch-on has evolved into a citywide celebration. You can join in the festivities by participating in the community lantern parade preceding the main event.
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Exeter Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans showcase traditional Devonshire crafts
Description:
Exeter's Christmas Market transforms Cathedral Green into a bustling hub of local artistry. Devonshire craftsmen display their wares, offering a glimpse into the region's rich cultural heritage. Visitors can sample locally-produced mulled cider while browsing handcrafted goods. The market's layout, inspired by traditional German Christmas markets, pays homage to Exeter's historical ties with its twin city, Bad Homburg. Stroll through the illuminated stalls and discover unique gifts that capture the essence of Southwest England.
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Exeter Christmas Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Workshops led by local artisans teaching traditional Devon crafts
Description:
The Exeter Christmas Craft Fair stands out with its hands-on workshops led by local artisans. Visitors can learn traditional Devon crafts, from willow weaving to letterpress printing. The fair showcases a curated selection of high-quality, handmade goods from across the Southwest. This event celebrates Exeter's long-standing reputation as a center for craftsmanship, dating back to its medieval wool trade. You'll have the opportunity to create your own unique Christmas gifts under the guidance of skilled craftspeople.
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Alphington Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Community-led event showcasing local talent and homemade goods
Description:
The Alphington Christmas Fayre is a grassroots celebration of local talent and homemade goods. This community-led event brings together residents of all ages, showcasing their skills and creativity. Visitors can browse stalls filled with handcrafted items and homemade treats, each with a personal touch. The fayre continues a tradition of community gatherings in Alphington that dates back centuries. Try your luck at traditional village fête games, reimagined with a festive twist for the holiday season.
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Exeter Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Carols
What to Expect:
Performances incorporate medieval carols unique to Exeter Cathedral
Description:
Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Carol service resonates with the rich acoustics of the 900-year-old Norman cathedral. The program incorporates medieval carols unique to Exeter, preserved in the cathedral's ancient manuscripts. Choristers, adorned in traditional robes, fill the nave with harmonious melodies. The event pays tribute to the cathedral's musical legacy, which dates back to the 13th century. Attendees can admire the intricate Gothic architecture illuminated by candlelight during the performance.
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Exeter Cathedral Christmas Carols
Exeter Northcott Theatre Christmas Panto
What to Expect:
Interactive elements blend traditional pantomime with cutting-edge technology
Description:
Exeter Northcott Theatre's Christmas Pantomime fuses traditional British humor with cutting-edge technology. The production incorporates interactive elements, allowing audience members to influence the story's outcome. Lavish costumes and elaborate set designs transport viewers into a world of whimsy. This annual event continues a theatrical tradition that has delighted Exeter residents since the theatre's opening in 1967. You'll find yourself laughing along with the slapstick comedy and joining in the classic call-and-response moments.
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Exeter Northcott Theatre Christmas Panto
Exeter Festival of Carols
What to Expect:
Choirs from diverse cultural backgrounds perform traditional and contemporary carols
Description:
The Exeter Festival of Carols celebrates musical diversity, featuring choirs from various cultural backgrounds. Performances blend traditional carols with contemporary compositions, creating a unique auditory tapestry. The festival takes place in multiple venues across the city, including historic churches and modern performance spaces. This event reflects Exeter's growing multiculturalism, a trend that has shaped the city's identity in recent decades. Attendees can participate in a mass sing-along, uniting voices from all corners of the community.
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Carols at the Quay
What to Expect:
Floating choir performances on boats along the historic Exeter Quayside
Description:
Carols at the Quay features floating choir performances on boats along the historic Exeter Quayside. The melodies drift across the water, creating a unique auditory experience for spectators lining the banks. This event reimagines the traditional carol service, blending music with Exeter's maritime heritage. The Quayside has been a focal point of city life since Roman times, and this celebration continues that legacy. Visitors can join in the singing, their voices echoing off the ancient stone walls that line the waterfront.
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Exeter Other Holiday Activities
Winter Wonderland Exeter
What to Expect:
Ice sculpture garden with live carving demonstrations
Description:
Winter Wonderland Exeter boasts an impressive ice sculpture garden, complete with live carving demonstrations. Master sculptors transform blocks of ice into intricate works of art before your eyes. The event also features an outdoor ice rink, allowing visitors to glide beneath the stars. Embracing Exeter's Roman history, some sculptures depict scenes from the city's ancient past. Warm up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate as you explore the frosty creations dotting the landscape.
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Christmas at Killerton
What to Expect:
Period-accurate Victorian Christmas celebrations in a historic National Trust property
Description:
Christmas at Killerton offers a glimpse into Victorian holiday traditions within a stunning National Trust property. The 18th-century house is adorned with period-accurate decorations, transporting visitors to Christmases past. Costumed interpreters bring history to life, sharing stories of bygone celebrations. The event pays homage to the Acland family, who owned Killerton for nearly 400 years. Visitors can try their hand at traditional Victorian parlor games, immersing themselves in the festive customs of the era.
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Powderham Castle Christmas
What to Expect:
Guided twilight tours showcasing the castle's 600-year history and Christmas traditions
Description:
Powderham Castle's Christmas celebration offers guided twilight tours, illuminating the fortress's 600-year history and evolving holiday traditions. The ancient halls are bedecked with garlands and period decorations, each room telling a story of Christmases past. Visitors can explore secret passages and hidden chambers not usually open to the public. The event highlights the castle's role in shaping Devon's history since the 14th century. Participate in a traditional Yule log ceremony, connecting modern celebrations to ancient winter rituals.
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Santa's Grotto at Princesshay
What to Expect:
Eco-friendly grotto made entirely from recycled materials
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Princesshay breaks new ground with its eco-friendly design, constructed entirely from recycled materials. This innovative approach aligns with Exeter's commitment to sustainability, a key focus for the city in recent years. Children can meet Santa in a setting that showcases creative reuse, from cardboard gingerbread houses to plastic bottle snowmen. The grotto's design changes annually, always incorporating materials donated by local businesses and residents. Families can participate in upcycling craft workshops, creating holiday decorations from everyday items.
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Exeter Respect Festival Winter Fayre
What to Expect:
Multicultural winter celebration promoting diversity and inclusion
Description:
The Exeter Respect Festival Winter Fayre is a vibrant multicultural celebration promoting diversity and inclusion. This unique event showcases winter traditions from various cultures represented in Exeter's community. Visitors can sample global cuisines, enjoy performances of international music and dance, and participate in cultural workshops. The fayre builds on the success of the summer Respect Festival, which has been promoting unity in Exeter since 1997. You'll discover how different cultures around the world celebrate during the winter months, broadening your perspective on holiday traditions.
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Exeter Respect Festival Winter Fayre
Christmas at Crealy Theme Park
What to Expect:
Interactive 'Santa's Workshop' experience where children help elves prepare for Christmas
Description:
Christmas at Crealy Theme Park features an interactive 'Santa's Workshop' experience where children become Santa's helpers. Young visitors assist elves in toy-making, gift-wrapping, and reindeer care, bringing the North Pole to life. The park's rides and attractions are given a wintry makeover, creating a cohesive holiday atmosphere. This event builds on Crealy's 30-year history of providing family entertainment in Devon. Hop aboard the Polar Express simulator for a thrilling virtual journey to the North Pole, complete with motion effects and immersive visuals.
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Christmas at Crealy Theme Park
Nearby Events
Polar Express Train Ride (Okehampton)
What to Expect:
Journey through the scenic Dartmoor countryside on a heritage railway
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride whisks passengers through the picturesque Dartmoor countryside on a heritage railway line. The journey recreates the beloved children's story, complete with hot chocolate service and a visit from Santa. The sound of the steam engine adds to the nostalgic atmosphere as the train winds its way through the winter landscape. This event takes place on the historic Dartmoor Railway, which dates back to 1871. Families can don their pajamas and relive the magic of the classic tale while enjoying Devon's natural beauty.