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Christmas in Exeter is a magical time of year. Full of winter wonder and festive cheer, it's also a great time for exploring lots of events and activities for FREE!
As part of the seasonal celebrations, we're gifting you 12 (free) Days of Christmas that you'll find in and around the city to enjoy with family and friends.
Countdown to Christmas Trail
Join us for an all-new Countdown to Christmas Trail for the chance to WIN one of five £100 Independent Gift Cards! Search for clues in key locations across the city and discover a secret Christmas word for the chance to win. Simply pick up a copy of the trail map from one of the Exeter Visitor Information Points at John Lewis (4th floor beside the cafe), Exeter Central Library, Exeter Tickets Office on Fore Street or the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (Garden Entrance) or download a copy here.
You can also visit one of the Christmas finish stations to get your answer checked and receive a set of special Exeter stickers!
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SPARK!
SPARK! bring their colourful beats to Exeter city centre not once but twice this festive season. On Thursday 28th November (5pm, 6pm and 7pm) they'll be parading through Princesshay to celebrate the first night of late night shopping and the opening of Christmashay Village while on Thursday 19th December SPARK! will be entertaining crowds at Guildhall Shopping Centre as part of their Christmas events programme.
Christmas at the Quay
Come on down to Exeter's historic quayside for 'Christmas on the Quay' hosted by On The Waterfront and Mango's. The fun starts from 5:30pm on Thursday 19th December and will include Christmas markets, late night shopping and dining, children's activities and live music to set the festive scene.
Carols at the Cathedral
Everyone loves a Christmas carol and what better setting than Exeter Cathedral to sing your heart out in, or maybe just soak up the wonderful atmosphere. Through December the Cathedral plays host to several carol services which are free to attend and you can simply come along to without booking. On 2nd December there's the Lord Mayor's Carol Service, followed by Exeter Hospiscare ‘Light Up a Life’ Carol Service on 4th December and Lunchtime Carols from 17th - 19th December.
RAMM
As well as RAMM being free to enter all year round, you can also get into the Christmas spirit with a range of optional extra festive events (fees apply). Create a truly unique Christmas card for that special someone, or keep it to cherish for yourself, with the Cyanotype workshop or try your hand at needle felting.
If you're looking for a special Christmas gift then 'The Shop at RAMM' is home to a wonderful array of unique products showcasing the history and creativity of Exeter, Devon and beyond. The Shop at RAMM will also be open late on Thursday 12th and 19th December for you to browse and find something unique.
Red Coat Guided Tours
There's no better way to discover the beauty and rich history of our city then with a free guided walking tour. Throughout December our Red Coat Guided Tours run daily (no tours on Christmas Day and Boxing Day), offering a wide range of tours to choose from. There's no need to book, simply turn up and enjoy a fantastic tour around Exeter with local experts who are passionate about sharing the history of our wonderful city. There's also a special 'Mystery Tour' (booking required) taking place on Christmas Eve and New Year's Day, and you never know where you'll end up visiting!
Please note that for the duration of the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market all Red Coat Guided tours (other than the Historic Quayside tour on a Sunday) will start from outside the Devon & Exeter Institution, found at 7 Cathedral Close.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Simply strolling around a Christmas market, soaking up the festive sights and sounds, can fill you with seasonal joy and Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Market is wonderfully atmospheric. Running daily until the 17th December, it doesn't cost a penny to visit and is a great place to people spot and just put yourself in a festive mood. You can also enjoy free admission to Exeter Cathedral for the duration of the Cathedral Christmas Market.
Custom House Story Telling
Join storyteller, poet and brussel sprout juggler, Clive PiG for a free, fun-filled family show down at the Custom House on Wednesday 11th December. Featuring jingles, jokes and japes, you can be sure to expect plenty of fun and laughter for all the family, as well as loads of curious customs and yuletide yarns. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance.
Christmas lights
As the sun sets over Exeter, the city centre comes alive with the twinkling of Christmas lights and decorations adorning various buildings and the high street. From festive lights greeting you into Princesshay and Guildhall Shopping Centre to charity Christmas trees and lights radiating from the Cathedral Christmas Market, a warm welcome extends to everyone and the trail of lights is a great, free way to spend the evening.
Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
A real community event which attracts thousands of people from across the city, this year's Magdalen Road Christmas Fair takes place on Saturday 7th December, from 2pm to 6pm. There'll be 50 stalls and wonderful shops selling food, drink, presents and crafts along with gentle live music and a sparkly atmosphere to get you in the mood for Christmas.
Topsham Christmas lights switch-on
The grand Christmas lights switch-on in Topsham takes place at Matthews Hall from 4:30pm on Friday 29th November. There'll be entertainment from the fabulous Otter Morris dance troupe and a countdown to the 5pm lights-on by Olympic triple gold medallist and Topsham resident Pete Reed OBE. It's then onto Topsham Quay where the celebrations continue with festive lanterns and a gathering around Topsham's largest Christmas tree.
That's not all though as Love Topsham's Festive Market at St Margaret’s Church, 5pm to 8.30pm, features over 25 artisan craft stalls plus a choir. Don't forget to make room for their infamous mulled wine and mince pies!
Earth Photo exhibition at Haldon Forest Park
Forestry England's free outdoor exhibition of Earth Photo shortlisted works returns to Haldon Forest Park until 19th March 2025. As you step among towering trees, take time to explore 30 of the 124 final shortlisted images by photographers from around the world, reflecting on issues affecting the climate and life on our planet.
Celebrate the festive season with our Christmas in Exeter guide.
Related
Exeter Cathedral's popular Christmas Market is back for 2024, from Friday 15 November – Sunday 15 December. Taking place on Exeter's Cathedral Green, the Cathedral Christmas Market is wonderfully atmospheric, set among a labyrinth of winding paths, festooned with fairy lights and laced with the seasonal sights and smells of festive chalets, showcasing a wide range of local, regional, national and international suppliers, offering crafts and gifts, and seasonal food and drink.
Medieval cathedral. Fine example of Gothic Decorated style. Longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulting in the world. Image screen on West Front, Minstrels' Gallery and tombs. Expert guided tours, trails and activities for the family
Come and experience all that Princesshay has to offer in late night shopping and entertainment for the whole family this Christmas. You will be assured of a great welcome and be amazed by great street entertainment for all the family where sparks will certainly fly!
Christmas comes to Guildhall Shopping Centre as late night shopping begins every Thursday from 21st November until 19th December, along with several exciting new store openings, and lots of fantastic entertainment to get you in the festive mood.
Exeter’s world-class museum has stunning displays and galleries, fabulous exhibitions and modern amenities. The displays reveal Devon and Exeter’s rich history and global connections. Exotic animals, birds and insects delight children and the World Cultures galleries display stunning items from all over the world.
Find out more about the city’s turbulent history on a free guided walking tour with the Red Coat Guides, running daily throughout the year.
The Custom House Visitor Centre is in the centre of Exeter's historic quayside & occupies one of the most historic buildings on the waterfront.
Perched on the edge of the historic Exeter Quayside, we are housed on the ground floor of a magnificent 19th century warehouse. This building and many like it nearby served the booming woollen industry of the mid 19th century.
A fascinating and quaint historic estuary port, Topsham has some fine architecture. There are Dutch traders’ houses and fine examples of buildings from Georgian and Edwardian times.
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