Traditional Christmas events in Exeter

Immerse yourself in the true spirit of Christmas and take part in a traditional carol service, make your own Christmas wreath, or watch Exeter’s very own annual nativity performance, Here is our round up of the top traditional Christmas events in Exeter this year. 

RAMM is embracing its Victorian heritage this Christmas, with a series of traditional Victorian themed events, including:

A Vintage Victorian Christmas at RAMM 

Travel back to the Victorian times this Christmas throughout December with RAMM as part of its 150th anniversary. 

Take part in Christmas decoration making, storytelling sessions, traditional wreath making and listen to carolling in the courtyard. Explore the museum through the ‘12 Days of Christmas’ trail or relax in the Courtyard, which will be transformed into a Victorian parlour.  Don’t forget to keep your eye out for Father Christmas.

Christmas musical celebration at RAMM

Come on down to the RAMM on 1 December for a fun day of carolling and Christmas music to kick off the programme of seasonal events and activities. Performances will include the festive sounds of Exeter Railway Brass Band and the enchanting voices of Exeter University Singers.

Traditional Christmas wreath making workshops with Amanda Randell Cox

Get into the Christmas spirit on Thursday 13 December and learn how to make beautiful, Victorian Christmas door wreaths with Amanda Randell Cox, one of the few British Master Florists in the country and tutor at the British Academy of Floral Art in Exeter. Guided by Amanda you will learn the traditional method of creating a Victorian Christmas door wreath and you will even get to take your handiwork home with you.  6 to 8pm. £25.

Victorian Christmas decoration making

Head to RAMM on Saturday 8 and 15 December to make your own Victorian-inspired Christmas decorations. You can also add to a giant museum paperchain and don’t forget to keep an eye out for Father Christmas, who will be around the museum throughout the day. 

Dementia-friendly Victorian Christmas

Head over to the RAMM on Thursday 13 December and enjoy festive singing by local school children with cake, hot drinks and a look around ‘Devon Voices’, an exhibition about the West Country during the First World War. 

Donkey Sanctuary’s Carols by Candlelight

Sing-a-long with the donkeys this 14 December at the Donkey Sanctuary’s Carols by Candlelight. There will a host of merry tunes, followed by a 45 minute Christmas carol service. Festive refreshments will be available, as well as the gift shop for lots of lovely Christmas gifts.  
 

Exeter Cathedral - G4 Christmas

X Factor stars G4 will be taking their atmospheric “G4 Christmas” tour across the UK this winter and will performing at Exeter Cathedral on 13 December. The concert will feature timeless classics such as When A Child is Born, Silent Night and All I Want For Christmas, as well as delightful medleys to evoke the Christmas spirit. Tickets cost between £17.50 and £77.50.

Exeter - CLIC for Christmas Concert

Join LaLa Choirs for their annual Christmas concert at Exeter Cathedral to raise funds for CLIC Sargent. The concert features performances from La La Choirs, Mount Kelly School Chamber Choir and the CLIC Sargent Singers - a group of young musicians all of whom have been affected by cancer. 

Exeter Bach Society : An English Christmas

Join Exeter Bach Society and the Bramdean School Chapel Choir for an evening of seasonal music celebrating 20th century composers such as Benjamin Britten, Edward Elgar and Ralph Vaughan Williams. 

To book tickets, visit the EBS website here.
 

Exeter Cathedral - Christmas with the Cathedral Choir

Come on down to Exeter Cathedral on 6 and 8 December for a night of Christmas carolling with Exeter Cathedral’s renowned choir. 

Christmas with the Lord Mayor

Join Father Christmas at the Guildhall on 15 December for a fun family event, with tasty mince pies and cakes, warming cups of tea and coffee, plus a delicious chilli!
 
All proceeds will go to the Lord Mayor's Charity SSAFA Devon – The Armed Forces Charity.

Service for the Exeter Nativity

Look out for Mary, Joseph, the donkey and other characters from the well-known Christmas story on 16 December as they make their way through the city centre, ending up at Exeter Cathedral for a short act of worship and Christmas carols at 3pm. 
 

Exeter Christmas Market on Cathedral Green

There’s lots of tasty treats and home-made gifts available at the Christmas market running from Thursday 15 November until Sunday 16 December. It also supports local businesses and performers, offering an abundance of Christmas food, drinks and gifts as well as wonderful entertainment from local bands, carol singers and choirs.
 

Humbug!

An atmospheric and immersive Christmas experience taking place throughout Exeter's oldest building. Following a sell-out run last year, Humbug! returns to St Nicholas Priory this December. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey through past, present and future in this theatrical reimagining of Charles Dickens' classic ghost story A Christmas Carol.  

Created by award-winning film and theatre company Wandering Tiger, Humbug! is more than just a stage show, it’s a unique audience experience. Expect live music, video projections and plenty of festive cheer!

You can catch Humbug! from Wednesday 12th December to Monday 24th December at St Nicholas Priory, The Mint, off Fore Street, Exeter, EX4 3BL.

Tickets are priced from just £8.00 (under 16s) - £12.00 (over 16s). There is also a special group ticket price of £34.00 (2 adults, 2 children).

Recommended age 8+
Humbug! has been designed with younger audience members in mind but aspects of the show may be too frightening for children of a sensitive nature.