InExeter is gearing up for Christmas in the city
InExeter, the Business Improvement District for Exeter City Centre, orchestrates the dazzling Christmas lights in the public areas of the city which will illuminate the streets from Thursday, 16th November.
The lights extend from Fore Street to Sidwell Street, spreading festive cheer to Magdalen Road, Gandy Street, Queen Street, Paris Street, North Street, and South Street. These magical Christmas lights are made possible through the collaborative contributions of businesses within these areas, whose support and funding enable extraordinary projects in the city.
Christmas lighting represents a significant expenditure that public funds alone cannot cover. InExeter is responsible for covering the financial cost of the lights, with the support of Exeter City Council, who allow the use of their overhead wires to illuminate the city.
"The funding of the Christmas lights was one of the primary reasons for establishing the Business Improvement District in Exeter," stated Nicola Wheeler, CEO at InExeter. "We take great pride in investing in the city, and it is the collective funds contributed to by all businesses in the city centre, from retail to professional services, pubs, restaurants, health & beauty services, independents to national chain stores, that makes these lights possible."
This year, Exeter visitors can look forward to admiring a magnificent 10-metre Christmas tree outside Central Station on Queen Street. Additionally, the walk-through bauble adorned with snowflake decorations will return to the High Street, providing the perfect backdrop for a festive selfie. The iconic Exeter Letters will be located on Catherine Street, in the historic Alms House, across from Lloyds Lounge.
In total, the city will be adorned with 262 meters of LED curtains and 618 meters of LED Cluster lights. Additionally, 56 wall-hung Christmas trees will line the picturesque streets of Gandy Street and Magdalen Road, all of which use energy-efficient lighting. This festive spectacle comes at an annual cost of £70,000.
To get a glimpse of the festive spirit in the city this Christmas, people can view an aerial video showcasing Exeter in 2022:https://youtu.be/2laGIXjKwNA. The video features the city's dazzling lights, the Guildhall Shopping Centre, Princesshay, and the Exeter Cathedral Market, all aglow in their splendid glory. Furthermore, Princesshay, which has their own lighting scheme, is set to unveil an exciting new display for 2023.
The InExeter Christmas lights, in collaboration with the Guildhall Shopping & Dining and Princesshay lights, will all be illuminated on Thursday, November 16th. Late Night Thursdays offer a unique opportunity to enjoy the festive season in a whole new light. Both Guildhall Shopping & Dining and Princesshay shops will remain open until 8pm, and many shops within the city will extend their opening times.
"Exeter, as the regional capital, witnesses an increase in visitors during the festive season as people make special trips to the city for Christmas shopping and to experience all that Exeter has to offer”said Mat Jarratt, Chair of Directors at InExeter. “The ambiance and lighting play a pivotal role in creating that magical Christmas feeling, and as contributing businesses, we take pride in delivering this experience for the public to enjoy."
To celebrate the start of the festive season, InExeter are also hosting a city-wide Winter event. Winter In Exeter will take place on Saturday 25th November. Enjoy a fun filled day with pop up performances including a giant Polar Bear and Reindeer Stilt Men as well as family themed free activities.
Head over to Guildhall Shopping Centre where Tonic Creatives will be hosting willow wand star workshops at the shopping centre, where you can also join a winter parade in the afternoon. Throughout the day, keep an eye out for exciting pop-up performances in the city, including Exeter Roller Derby displays, circus acts, Morris Dancers, live music, and much more.
One experience not to miss on Saturday 25th November is a giant willow puppet called Sidwella, who will be paraded on the streets as part of the Winter In Exeter celebration. The puppet has been created thanks to a partnership between InExeter and St Sidwell’s Community Centre, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to celebrate Exeter’s community and heritage. Inspired by the tale of Sidwella, the beloved patron saint of Exeter, local artists Burn the Curtain were commissioned to build the impressive structure, to bring Sidwella to life on an epic scale. You can personally experience this wonderful performance as Sidwella takes centre stage on Sidwell Street from 4:30pm on Saturday 25th November.
Winter In Exeter key timings:
Running Dog Theatre Companies spectacular ‘The Polar Bear’ walkabout performance
Popping up in the city 12-4pm
Joy Magnets Reindeer Stilt Men, Prancer and Dancer are coming out of Rudolph’s shadow to strut their stuff in the city
Popping up in the city 12-4pm
Great Western Morris Dancers
Popping up across the city between 12-4pm
Tonic Creatives Willow Wand making workshops
Outside WH Smith, Guildhall Shopping Centre 12-3:30pm with parade to the High Street at 4:30pm
Real Steel Band
Positive Light Projects
Pop up performances between 12-4pm
Sidwella puppet performance leading a lantern parade
Starting from St Sidwell’s Centre, 4:30pm and parading down to the High Street
Exeter Street Band
Performing twice at St Sidwell’s Community Centre, 4pm and 5:30pm
Drum Devon joined by local charity CEDA and Tonic Creatives with a willow wand parade
Exeter High Street, 4:30pm
Lantern Workshops
St Sidwell’s Community Centre, 12-4pm
All the Winter In Exeter activities have been organised by InExeter and funded by business.
A plethora of exciting activities await in the city this Christmas. Whether you're in the mood for festive shopping, a night out on the town, or simply want to immerse yourself in the enchanting Christmas ambiance and soak in the delightful scenes, Exeter is the place to be. InExeter have produced a guide to Christmas in Exeter with a digital version available: https://bit.ly/ChristmasinExeter2023.
Key festive dates taking place in the city:
Guildhall Shopping and Dining Toy Drive
Wednesday 1st November – Friday 15th December
Christmashay Market & Antler Inn Bar, Princesshay Square
Thursday 16th November – Sunday 23rd December
Spark performing in Princesshay celebrating the new Princesshay for 2023
Thursday 16th November at 5pm, 6pm & 7pm
Cathedral Christmas Market on Cathedral Green
Friday 17th November – Sunday 17th December
Frosty Fore Street Flea
Sunday 19th November, 12-4pm
Winter In Exeter, Exeter City Centre
Saturday 25th November, 12-6pm
Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
Saturday 2nd December, 2-6pm
InExeter partners with Visit Exeter to promote all that is happening in the city. For more details of all the city of Exeter has to offer this Christmas, visit www.visitexeter.com/christmas.
