This year there are many Christmas Markets and Events being held across the region. We have included all the events we have information for as of 23rd October 2024 but be sure to check with the venue or event directly before travelling as information is subject to change. This blog may be updated as we receive further information.
Devon is bursting with Christmas events and activities, from meeting Santa, Christmas shopping or watching the magic of a Christmas light switch on. There is plenty going on in Devon to entertain the whole family. Christmas markets and late night shopping where you can enjoy an assortment of craft stalls, local food and drink and entertainment are becoming more and more popular each year. It shouldn’t be hard to find a Christmas market nearby and its bound to get you in the festive mood.
If you want some Christmas fun, ideas for things to do with the whole family or inspiration on the best markets or last minute shopping locations, we’ve listed events taking place throughout Christmas in Devon. As we find out about more Christmas markets and events during the season, we’ll add to this list so please contact us if you’d like your event to be included.
And if you’re looking to send a loved one a true taste of Devon this year, don’t forget our delicious Christmas Devon food hampers.
Christmas lights switch on throughout Devon
- Thursday 14th November 2024 - Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on, between 6pm and 6.30pm. Family-friendly entertainment to be enjoyed on stage in the Piazza.
- Saturday 16th November 2024 - Torquay Christmas lights switch-on. Once lit the lights remain on 24 hours a day for six weeks.
- Saturday 16th November 2024 - Plymouth Barbican lights switch-on. Free activities and entertainment from 12pm to 6pm, with the lights being lit at 5.30pm
- Friday 22nd November 2024 - Dawlish Christmas Lights Switch-on.
- Friday 29th November 2024 - Topsham Christmas lights switch-on from 4.30pm onwards.
- Friday 22nd November - Saturday 23rd November 2024 - Brixham Lanterns, Lights and Luminations. The event was first launched in 2007 and has grown in popularity in recent years. The event has traditionally included a magical lantern parade, an incredible firework display, live music, street entertainment, and a street market.
2024 sees the event grow with the street market to include the whole of Middle Street, but also The Square, and The Strand, as well as both The Old Fish Market and The Quay. As well as the extra areas, we are adding an extra day. The Friday afternoon/evening, which will coincide with Brixham's first late night shopping night.
- Saturday 30th November 2024 - Christmas in Crediton, Christmas lights switch-on. Christmas light switch on at 5pm.
- Saturday 23rd November 2024 - Newton Abbot Christmas lights switch-on. There will be daytime events and street food available and Father Christmas will turn on the lights at St Leonard's clock tower at 5.30pm.
- Friday 6th December 2024 - Tavistock Dikensian Evening, lights switch-on at 5.45pm. This year will feature: 'Thawed' Stilt Walkers, Elfic the Juggler, Terrie-Mae McNulty and a Santa Paws Grotto.
- Saturday 2nd December 2023 - Bovey Tracey Christmas lights switch-on. Festivities from 2pm will include a Christmas market and Santa's Grotto. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- Sunday 8th December 2024 - Clovelly Christmas lights switch-on. Festivities from 3.30pm onwards, including a brass band led procession, carols and fireworks. The Christmas lights around the village and harbour being switched on at 5.30pm. Parking is £10 per car at the visitor centre.
- Sunday 1st December 2024 - Bideford Christmas lights switch-on (The Quay 12 - 7pm).
- Thursday 28th November 2024 - Barnstaple Christmas lights switch-on. This year the event will coincide with the Christmas Fayre, carol singing and late night shopping. Light switch on will be 6pm.
- 16th November 2023. Exeter Christmas lights switch-on.
Christmas markets, food and craft fairs in Devon
- Saturday 14th December - Monday 23rd December 2024 – Tavistock Christmas Market, Butchers Hall.
- Plymouth Winter Wonderland, Central Park. 2024 will see Plymouth's second Winter Wonderland which will run 15th November 2024 - 1st January 2025. It boasts a real Christmas extravaganza including an ice-rink, rides, music arena, Santa's Grotto and festive refreshments. Booking is recommended via their website from October.
- Various dates between 15th November - 28th December - RHS Glow 2024. RHS Garden Rosemoor. A magical lights trail with a range of entertainment, craft fairs and a spectacular fire show. Tickets must be booked in advance.
- Friday 15th November – Sunday 15th December 2024 – Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market - Cathedral Green. Devon's biggest Christmas market with around 100 traders.
- Friday 6th - Sunday 8th December 2024 - Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre - the event boasts a huge range of Christmas gifts, entertainment and celebrity appearances. Adults £5, OAP £4, under 16 Free.
- 29th November 2024 - Ilfracombe Christmas Market, with stalls, food vendors, live music and entertainers throughout the street.
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Friday 22nd November 2024 - Dawlish Christmas Street Market & Festive Fun. The Strand, Dawlish, EX7 9PW.
Saturday 7th December 2024 10am-4pm - Brixham Christmas Market - part of the Lanterns, Lights & Luminations event. - Saturday 23rd & Sunday 24th November 2024 - Pavilions Teignmouth - Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre. With 40 stalls of crafts and gifts from local makers.
- Saturday 30th November - Sunday 1st December 2024 10am - 5pm - Torre Abbey, WinterFest Christmas Fair. Gift and craft fair in a traditional setting.
- Saturday 30th November & Sunday 1st December 2024 - Ullacombe Farm Christmas Market. Includes a Santa's Selfie Sleigh, Delicious Festive Food & Local Stalls.
- Thursday 28th November - Sunday 15th December 2024 - Plymouth Christmas Market - City Centre.
- Tuesday 3rd, 10th & 17th December 2024 - Totnes Christmas Markets. 3pm - 9pm. Entertainment, food, drink & artisan shopping.
- Friday 6th December, 2024 - Dickensian Evening, Tavistock. To include a range of family-friendly entertainment from 5pm as well as festive stalls.
- Friday 1st December - Sunday 3rd December 2023 - The Great Hall Winter Craft Fair, Dartington Hall. Over 50 stalls offering a range of contemporary craft & design. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- 3rd-4th, 10th-11th, 17th-18th December - Christmas shopping weekends at The Shops at Dartington. Throughout December there will be live entertainment and kids crafts alongside a range of Christmas gifts to purchase and food tastings to enjoy. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- Saturday 30th November 2024, 10am to 4pm - Newton Abbot Christmas Fayre, Newton Abbot Racecourse. Local Christmas produce, reinpony rides and an inflatable snow globe. Activities are an additional charge.
- Saturday 7th December 2024 - Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas. Farmers market, stalls and carol singing.
- Saturday 2nd December 2023, From 2pm - Bovey Tracey Christmas Market, Fore Street, where there will be stalls, the choir, bar and caterers. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- Saturday 30th November - Newton Abbot Christmas Fair, Newton Abbot Racecourse. 10am-4pm.
- Sunday 4th December 2022 - Tiverton Annual Christmas Craft & Gift Fair. Tiverton Pannier Market. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- From Sunday 3rd December 2023 - Markets at Royal William Yard, Plymouth. Markets on Sundays and Wednesdays and late-night shopping. 2024 Dates & Times to be confirmed once released.
- Thursday 5th December, 2024 - Chudleigh Fair and Late Night Christmas Shopping.
- Friday 13th December - Bicton Park Botanical Gardens, Late Night Shopping & Craft Fair. 4pm-8pm.
- Friday 29th November 2024 - Topsham Christmas Market, 5pm-8.30pm
- TBC - The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth - Festive Fair.
- TBC - Moretonhampstead Winter Market. A festive local market full of beautiful wares by local Dartmoor artisans and businesses.
Other Christmas events in Devon during winter
- Monday 25th November - Friday 31st December 2024 (excluding some dates) - Powderham Castle, Christmas at the Castle. Includes a Christmas lights trail, state room experience & petting zoo.
- Dates throughout November & December 2024 - Seaton Tramway Polar Express. A 'West-end production on rails' including a visit to Santa.
- 29th November - 30th December 2024 - Train of Lights, Dartmouth Steam Railway. A journey from Paignton to Kingswear, taking in the spectacular light displays.
- Selected date throughout November & December 2024 - Christmas at Pennywell Farm. Includes a Nativity, Christmas activities and visit to Father Christmas.
Late night shopping in Devon this season
- Thursday 28th November - Thursday 19st December 2024 - Exeter Late Night Shopping. Until 9pm.
- Thursdays from 14th November - 19th December 2024 - Plymouth Late Night Shopping.
- Tuesdays 3rd, 10th, 17th December 2024 - Totnes Late Night Shopping. 3pm - 9pm.
Hello
Would you be able to email me a list of your craft fair events in deon for 2017 please?
Many thanks
Julie stephens
Hello
I would be very grateful if you could include our Christmas events in Dawlish in your listing. We have a whole weekend planned Saturarting with our lights switch event on Friday 2nd December from 4.30pm – 6.00pm our lights will be turned on by John Ayres from BBC Spotlight and our Mayor Cllr Angela Fenne.
Saturday 3rd December 10am-4pm Family Day
Street Market in the Strand, Family Christmas Jamboree in the Strand Centre, Ice rink and inflatable slide on the Lawn, live music throughout the day in the Strand and on the bandstand, street entertainers and visits from Peppa Pig, Olaf & Elsa.
Sunday 4th December 10am-4pm Victorian Christmas Market
Street Market in the Strand, Family Church Service on the bandstand, Ice rink and inflatable slide on the Lawn, live music throughout the day on the Strand and on the bandstand, father Christmas Grotto, Street entertainers.
Please can you add Bovey Tracey’s Christmas Lights Switch on and Street Fayre to your list of events this year.
This event is on 3rd December between 3pm and 6pm and is focused around the Christmas tree in the centre of the town.
Santa is arriving on his carnival float and will help the Primary school children switch on the lights on the Christmas tree, to a count down by the public. Carols will then be sung by the local primary school around the tree whilst the Street fayre is taking part. Santa then proceeds to his grotto where he will welcome children of all ages with a small gift.
We have many craft stands and gifts stands for christmas shopping along with street food vendors. Caterers include Lemon Jelli, Not just Sushi (Japanese street food), Home farm Cafe (run by Ashburton cookery school) Hot dogs and burgers, Jacket potatoes, Doughnuts, Hot chestnuts and of course candy floss for the children. Mulled wine is provided by Jaded Palates and free photo opportunities provided by Jolly Roger Life size Models (who’s figures regularly appear on Strictly Come Dancing)
Attractions included are some fairground rides for smaller children and pony rides.
More stall holders are coming forward daily and it is hoped the the local church will be leading a candlelight carol procession, although this has not yet been confirmed.
Last year’s event was very well attended