Enjoy the best of the season in Plymouth with our comprehensive guide. For Plymouth dwellers and visitors, this guide highlights the best of the city's festive season.
Kicking off the merriment, the Plymouth Christmas Market brings a touch of magic with festive stalls and holiday treats. Brightening up the winter nights, witness stunning visual art installations at the Illuminate Light Festival. And the Polar Express Train Ride is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering a nostalgic journey for kids and adults alike. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Plymouth
- Plymouth Christmas Market
- Illuminate Light Festival
- Polar Express Train Ride
- Santa Fun Run
- Christmas at Saltram House
- Royal William Yard Christmas Market
- Boringdon Hall Christmas Parties
- The Snowman Live Show
- Pantomime at The Barbican Theatre
- Santa's Grotto at Drake Circus
Plymouth Holiday Light Displays
Illuminate Light Festival
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and projections
Description:
Illuminate Light Festival bathes Plymouth's historic waterfront in a dazzling array of colors. Cutting-edge light installations and projections transform buildings and public spaces into works of art. Visitors can interact with some displays, creating their own light shows. The festival celebrates Plymouth's connection to the Mayflower voyage, with light-based artworks inspired by themes of discovery and exploration. Wander through illuminated walkways and marvel at the creative use of light and technology.
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Plymouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Plymouth Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Fusion of traditional and contemporary market stalls
Description:
Plymouth Christmas Market transforms the city center into a bustling hub of holiday cheer. Over 50 wooden chalets line the streets, offering a blend of traditional crafts and modern gifts. Visitors can sample locally-produced mulled wine while browsing handmade jewelry and artisanal foods. The market pays homage to Plymouth's maritime history with nautical-themed decorations. You'll find unique treasures perfect for gift-giving, from Cornish fudge to hand-blown glass ornaments.
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Royal William Yard Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Market in a historic naval victualling yard
Description:
Royal William Yard Christmas Market brings holiday cheer to a unique setting - a 19th-century naval victualling yard. The market's stalls nestle among Grade I listed buildings, offering a blend of history and holiday spirit. Visitors can shop for artisanal goods while admiring the yard's striking architecture. The event showcases local producers, from Devon cheeses to handcrafted pottery. You'll find live music performances echoing off the stone walls, creating a festive atmosphere in this industrial-turned-cultural hub.
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Royal William Yard Christmas Market
Plymouth Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa Fun Run
What to Expect:
Charity run with participants dressed as Santa
Description:
The Santa Fun Run sees hundreds of runners don red suits and white beards for a festive dash through Plymouth. Participants sprint, jog, or walk a 3km route, creating a sea of Santas flowing through the city streets. The event raises funds for local charities, embodying the spirit of giving. You can join in the run or cheer from the sidelines as the merry crowd passes by. This quirky tradition began in 2009 and has grown into a beloved annual spectacle.
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Plymouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Immersive storytelling experience on a moving train
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride brings a beloved holiday story to life on the rails. Passengers embark on a journey through the Devon countryside, complete with hot chocolate service and a reading of the classic tale. The train's vintage carriages are adorned with twinkling lights, creating a cozy atmosphere. Children receive a special gift from Santa himself during the ride. This event recreates the magic of a bygone era of rail travel, allowing you to step back in time for an evening.
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The Snowman Live Show
What to Expect:
Live orchestra accompaniment to animated film
Description:
The Snowman Live Show brings Raymond Briggs' beloved story to life with a unique twist. As the animated film plays on a big screen, a live orchestra performs Howard Blake's iconic score in perfect synchronization. The soaring melodies of "Walking in the Air" fill the theater, creating a multi-sensory experience. Audiences can watch the heartwarming tale unfold while professional musicians bring every note to life. This performance combines the nostalgia of a classic Christmas story with the immediacy of live music.
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Pantomime at The Barbican Theatre
What to Expect:
Interactive pantomime with local twist on classic tales
Description:
Pantomime at The Barbican Theatre brings a beloved British tradition to life with a distinctly Plymouthian flavor. This interactive show encourages audience participation, with call-and-response moments and sing-alongs. The performance blends classic fairy tales with local references and topical humor. Elaborate costumes and set designs transport viewers into a world of whimsy and adventure. You'll find yourself swept up in the energy of this uniquely British art form, which has been entertaining families for centuries.
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Pantomime at The Barbican Theatre
Royal Marines Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Military band performance with precision drill displays
Description:
Royal Marines Christmas Concert showcases the talents of one of the world's finest military bands. The performance features a mix of holiday classics and rousing military marches, played with impeccable precision. Audiences can marvel at intricate drill displays performed in full dress uniform. The concert honors Plymouth's long-standing connection to the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. You'll be swept away by the power and pageantry of this unique musical experience, which blends military tradition with holiday cheer.
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Royal Marines Christmas Concert
Plymouth Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at Saltram House
What to Expect:
18th-century manor house decorated for a Georgian Christmas
Description:
Christmas at Saltram House transports visitors to a Georgian-era celebration. The grand 18th-century manor is adorned with period-appropriate decorations, showcasing how the wealthy celebrated Christmas in centuries past. Explore rooms filled with greenery, ribbons, and candlelight, each telling a story of historical holiday traditions. Visitors can participate in traditional parlor games popular during the Georgian period. The scent of mulled wine and spices wafts through the air, adding to the authentic atmosphere.
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Boringdon Hall Christmas Parties
What to Expect:
Elizabethan manor house transformed for lavish holiday parties
Description:
Boringdon Hall Christmas Parties offer a luxurious celebration in a 16th-century Elizabethan manor. The Grade I listed building is adorned with opulent decorations, creating a sumptuous backdrop for holiday revelry. Guests can indulge in gourmet feasts prepared by award-winning chefs, featuring locally-sourced ingredients. The hall's Great Hall, with its imposing stone fireplace, hosts live entertainment throughout the evening. You'll feel like nobility as you dance the night away in rooms once graced by Sir Francis Drake.
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Boringdon Hall Christmas Parties
Santa's Grotto at Drake Circus
What to Expect:
Santa's grotto in a modern shopping center with virtual reality experience
Description:
Santa's Grotto at Drake Circus brings a high-tech twist to a holiday tradition. Children can meet Santa in a beautifully decorated grotto, complete with a virtual reality sleigh ride over Plymouth. The experience combines the warmth of a personal visit with cutting-edge technology. Visitors can capture the moment with professional photos or create their own at a digital photo booth. You'll find the grotto nestled among the center's shops, allowing for convenient holiday shopping before or after your visit.
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Santa's Grotto at Drake Circus
Nearby Events
Christmas Wonderland at Mount Edgcumbe (Torpoint)
What to Expect:
Tudor-style Christmas in a historic country park
Description:
Christmas Wonderland at Mount Edgcumbe recreates a Tudor-style holiday celebration in a sprawling country park. The 16th-century house and surrounding gardens are transformed with period decorations and activities. Visitors can try their hand at traditional crafts like wreath-making or watch falconry displays. The event highlights the rich history of the Edgcumbe family, who owned the estate for 400 years. Roaming carolers in period costume fill the air with melodies from centuries past.
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Christmas Wonderland at Mount Edgcumbe
Plympton Christmas Lights Switch On (Plympton)
What to Expect:
Community-led event with local performers
Description:
Plympton Christmas Lights Switch On illuminates this historic town with a community-driven celebration. Local choirs, dance troupes, and bands take center stage, showcasing homegrown talent. The event culminates in the grand switch-on, bathing the town's medieval streets in a warm glow. Visitors can enjoy traditional roasted chestnuts while browsing stalls run by local businesses. This annual tradition brings together residents and visitors alike, fostering a strong sense of community spirit in one of Plymouth's oldest settlements.
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Plympton Christmas Lights Switch On
Christmas Extravaganza at Endsleigh Garden Centre (Ivybridge)
What to Expect:
Extensive Christmas shop and Santa's grotto in a garden center
Description:
Christmas Extravaganza at Endsleigh Garden Centre transforms this horticultural haven into a winter wonderland. An expansive Christmas shop offers thousands of decorations, from traditional baubles to quirky modern designs. Visitors can explore themed tree displays for inspiration or meet Santa in his grotto. The center's roots as a plant nursery shine through with stunning poinsettia displays and living Christmas trees. You'll find unique gardening-themed gifts perfect for green-thumbed friends and family.
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Christmas Extravaganza at Endsleigh Garden Centre
Cotehele Christmas Garland (Saltash)
What to Expect:
60-foot handmade garland created from estate-grown flowers
Description:
Cotehele Christmas Garland showcases a breathtaking 60-foot decoration handcrafted from flowers grown on the estate. This centuries-old Tudor house comes alive with the scent of dried flowers and greenery. Visitors can watch demonstrations of traditional garland-making techniques used by the house's gardeners. The garland, featuring over 30,000 flowers, is a testament to the estate's horticultural prowess. You'll learn about the history of this unique tradition, which began in the 1950s and has grown into a beloved annual event.
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Christmas Fayre at Dartmoor Zoo (Sparkwell)
What to Expect:
Holiday market with exotic animal encounters
Description:
Christmas Fayre at Dartmoor Zoo combines holiday shopping with wildlife conservation. Visitors can browse local crafts and gifts while surrounded by the sights and sounds of exotic animals. The zoo offers special holiday-themed animal encounters, allowing guests to get up close with resident creatures. Proceeds from the event support the zoo's conservation efforts. You'll find unique animal-inspired gifts while learning about the important work being done to protect endangered species.
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Christmas Fayre at Dartmoor Zoo
Festive Afternoon Tea at Buckland Abbey (Yelverton)
What to Expect:
Tudor-inspired holiday tea in a 700-year-old abbey
Description:
Festive Afternoon Tea at Buckland Abbey offers a refined holiday experience in a 700-year-old monastic setting. Guests can savor delicate sandwiches and pastries inspired by Tudor-era recipes, served on fine china. The Great Hall, with its massive stone fireplace, provides a dramatic backdrop for this elegant affair. Visitors can explore the abbey's rich history, including its connection to Sir Francis Drake, between sips of specially blended teas. The menu features locally-sourced ingredients, honoring Devon's culinary heritage.
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Festive Afternoon Tea at Buckland Abbey