Ultimate Christmas Guide: All you need to know about Christmas in Exeter

Exeter is ready for the festive season with brand new city lights, Devon’s biggest Christmas Market, and a packed programme of events that make it the must-visit festive destination in the South West.

Follow the Stars to Exeter

This Christmas, expect starry cascades along the High Street, ground installationsperfect for festive selfies, and star-themed projections and installations lighting up the city’s historic streets. The new lights will begin to sparkle from 14 November, marking the start of a magical season.

Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market – Devon’s Biggest

From 20 November to 19 December, the much-loved Christmas Market returns to Cathedral Green with over 100 festive chalets. Visitors can browse artisan gifts, enjoy gourmet street food, sip mulled wine and soak up the atmosphere beneath the cathedral’s soaring spires. The Cathedral also hosts a wonderful array of performances including carol services, Christmas by Candlelight, and The Exeter Nativity.

Princesshay’s Christmashay Village

Launching on 14 November, Christmashay Village brings 17 festive cabins filled with local makers and small businesses, with 6 street food units offering festive classics from Bratwurst and Churros alongside the new Mistletoe Bar, including under cover seating. SPARK! Drummers will return on Thursday 20th November to celebrate the start of late night shopping every Thursday until Christmas. On Sundays, families can head to Princesshay for Santa Sundays – a chance to meet Father Christmas on his golden sleigh. Visitors will be able to pose for a festive photo and take home a small keepsake for the tree in exchange for a £2.50 donation to Vranch House, Princesshay’s partner.

Festive Fun at Guildhall Shopping Centre

Guildhall Shopping Centre is bringing the magic of Christmas indoors with a host of festive experiences. Its free indoor play area will be transformed into a snowy winter wonderland, perfect for little ones to explore. Families can also enjoy meet-and-greet events with Santa and Mrs Claus, and mischievous visits from The Grinch throughout December.

Winter Wonderland at Northernhay Gardens

From 22 November to 24 December, Northernhay Gardens hosts Exeter’s Winter Wonderland – complete with a real ice rink, Santa’s Grotto, light trail, vintage carousel, and festive food stalls. It’s the perfect location for some winter fun while enjoying a day out in the city.

Late Night Shopping Until 8pm

Thursdays: 

  • 20 November
  • 27 November
  • 4 December
  • 11 December
  • 18 December 

Festive Theatre Magic

Exeter’s theatres are bursting with festive performances, from The Wizard of Oz at the Corn Exchange and Cinderella at the Barnfield Theatre, to The Jolly Postman for little ones and Ernie and the Sea of Ice at Exeter Phoenix – a heartwarming retelling of Shackleton’s legendary expedition.

Exeter has so much to offer this Christmas

“Christmas in Exeter is always something to look forward to,” says Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter. 

“We’re proud to bring a new Christmas light scheme to the city this year on behalf of the businesses who fund it through the Business Improvement District Levy. Working closely with our partners across the city, every detail has been designed to make the experience as joyful and memorable as possible. Exeter has so much to offer this Christmas - from the selfie spots and pop-up performances in Guildhall and Princesshay, to the iconic Christmas Market and the many independent shops across the city’s quarters, we invite everyone to enjoy Christmas in Exeter.”

Festive Highlights Across the City

  • 14 November – Christmas lights begin to sparkle across the city, Christmashay Village opens

  • 20 November – First late-night shopping, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market opens, SPARK! performing in Princesshay
  • 22 November – Festive Fore Street Flea, 12​​:00–16:00
  • 22 November – Winter Wonderland opens, Northernhay Gardens
  • 30 November – Advent Procession, Exeter Cathedral, 18:00–20:00
  • 30 November – Santa Sundays start in Princesshay until 21 December, 10:30–16:30
  • 5 December – Library Lates, Exeter Central Library, 19:00–21:00
  • 6 December – Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
  • 6 December – Christmas Belle Storytelling, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–13:00
  • 7 December – Exeter Santa Run, Exeter City Centre, 09:00–10:30
  • 11 December – Sacred Winter Fayre, Sacred Grounds, 18:30-20:30
  • 11 December – Night at the Museum – Winter Wonders, RAMM, 17:30–20:30
  • 13 December – The Grinch Visits, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–15:00
  • 14 December – The Exeter Nativity, Exeter Cathedral, 16:00–18:00
  • 18 December – The Grinch Returns, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 14:00–19:00
  • 20 December – Santa & Mrs Claus Storytelling, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–15:00

Make it Exeter this Christmas

Follow @in_exeter on Instagram and @InExeter on Facebook for the latest festive updates and everything you need to know about Christmas in Exeter. Visit www.visitexeter.com/Christmas for full listings and festive updates.

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