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 installations perfect 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.
Princesshay is inviting residents and visitors to Exeter to Step into Christmashay this November and December to experience the joy of the festive season.
Opening on Friday 14th November, this year’s expanded Christmas Market will feature over 25 traders on a rotating programme over five weeks. Visitors can explore stalls offering jewellery, crafts, candles, bakes and art throughout Bedford Street, the main mall and Princesshay Square, which will also be home to the Mistletoe bar and outdoor festive seating area.
Returning to Eastgate is the much-loved Great British...
Santa will be in Princesshay every Sunday from 30th November until the big day.
Visitors will be able to find Santa sitting in his golden sleigh under the glass canopy outside Space NK. Santa will be waving and greeting all passers-by and those wanting to share their Christmas lists and pose for a picture will be able to queue to join him briefly in the sleigh for a photo.
Princesshay’s Charity of the Year, Vranch House, will be collecting donations (£2.50) from families queuing to meet the ‘man in red’.
Each child that meets Santa will receive a keepsake...
As the festive season approaches, Open Up , the official charity of Devon Partnership NHS Trust , is preparing its much-loved Christmas Hamper Project and is calling on people across the county to get involved.
Run in partnership with Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD), the project brings comfort, connection and festive cheer to young people in care and care leavers across Devon and Torbay.
From 100 hampers in 2020 to 250 in 2024, the project’s growth reflects the incredible compassion and commitment of Devon’s community.
Agrifest South West is set to welcome a delicious new addition this year: the South West Food Village, bringing a fresh flavour to the region’s premier one-day celebration of prime livestock. Held at Westpoint, Exeter on Wednesday 5th November, the event promises a vibrant showcase of agricultural excellence—and this year, culinary delights too.
The Food Village will feature twelve artisan producers from Devon, each offering a tempting array of locally crafted treats to sample and purchase. From Flapjackery’s indulgent flapjacks to Gotland Gin, distilled to navy strength on a...
AFTER a successful first year at Westpoint Arena, the sizable real ice rink returns to the venue this winter.
The main Westpoint Arena building will once again host the festive attraction from Thursday 11th December 2025 to Sunday 4th January 2026.
There’s space for up to 400 skaters in each 45-minute skate session on the ice, with various session types throughout the day. There’s lots of different skate sessions available for all to enjoy this Christmas. These include Parent Toddler sessions where Under 5s skate for free with an adult ticket, pushchairs are allowed on...
The UK’s fourth largest supermarket teamed up with local good causes across the UK to donate a range of fresh and chilled foods from its stores after closing early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Research from Neighbourly, the community giving platform that works with Aldi, found that 78% of the good causes it supports were more concerned about meeting demand this Christmas, compared to the same time last year.
Additionally, 51% felt they would not be able to respond to every request for help due to capacity and funding.
An Exeter which gives out Christmas Hampers to people in the area who are struggling, says it has been encountering people in real desperate situations due to the cost-of-living crisis.
Rediscover Church, located at Haven Banks, Exeter (the former Range Store), has been distributing hampers for the past eight years to individuals, couples, and families facing financial hardship, unemployment, or difficult circumstances such as bereavement.
Even before the Christmas rush, the church say they were already approached by local charities and schools seeking help for...
People of Exeter and beyond are invited to step into the enchanting world of Winterwood , a magical forest experience created for the whole family. This unique seasonal event will transform Theatre Alibi’s Emmanuel Hall into a snowy, pine-scented wonderland filled with interactive storytelling, and unforgettable characters.
Visitors to Winterwood will wander through a forest of trees, each step revealing new surprises and festive delights. Guests can explore the charming gingerbread shop, lose themselves in the treasures of the Ever-After Emporium, and meet the curious characters...
Explore a winter wonderland of art, crafts and handmade gifts at the Boatyard Studio, open 10-4 on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas.
Nestled between the canal and the river, meet local artists and makers covering a range of disciplines including ethical, sustainable clothing and textiles; printmaking and painting; wood, ceramics and papier-mâché. A huge variety of quality handmade gifts to suit all budgets.
Pop by and warm up with hot mulled apple juice and mince pies after a seasonal stroll along the riverside!
