Christmas in Exeter

Christmas in 2020 may be a little different to previous years, but Exeter is still planning some festive fun to lift your spirits this season. 

Exeter’s compact city centre makes it ideal for Christmas shopping. An eclectic mix of shops can be found within easy walking distance of each other, from the big names in the High Street and Princesshay, to independent and vintage fashions, jewellery, crafts and gifts in the cobbled Gandy Street and quirky West Quarter. 

Shops reopened on the 2^nd December, to kick off the Christmas shopping season amidst thousands of twinkling lights and festive decorations.  Look out for Chief the stag, the illuminated throne and a huge Christmas tree in Princesshay, plus the return of the Charity Christmas Trees in Roman Walk as well as the Christmas sleigh at Guildhall Shopping.

There is late night shopping every Thursday evening starting from Thursday 3^rd December, until Thursday 17^th, with many shops across the city open until 8 or 9pm. Visit the websites below to view the individual areas’ opening times:

Princesshay Christmas opening times

Exeter Guildhall Shopping Christmas opening times

InExeter also have a handy guide to opening times across the rest of the city, including M&S, Primark, and John Lewis, who will be showcasing local independents as part of the Great British Exchange.

The Guildhall Shopping Centre’s Alpine Market reopens on the 2^nd December, in the Alpine Village against St Pancras Church as well as in Market Square. This outdoor Christmas Market sees 8 very exciting traders move in for the festive period, including a local Devonshire fudge maker, wooden Christmas decorations and home décor, baked goods, Bespoke handmade charms and jewellery, handmade wool clothing, Bubble waffles and the amazing Camper Coffee. It will be open daily from 10am to 5pm until 23^rd December, with late night opening on Thursdays until 9pm. They will also have live music on Thursday nights and visits from a variety of festive Characters over the weekends leading up to Christmas, including Squirrel Nutkins, The Grinch and The Bouncing Snowmen!

When you’re ready for a refreshment pit-stop, Exeter’s cafes and restaurants are open and ready to welcome you, with Covid-secure measures in place. Exeter is in Tier 2, so please be aware you can only dine indoors with members of your own household or support bubble. There is plenty of outdoor seating around the city if you prefer to eat alfresco with a friend, including the Guildhall Shopping Centre’s Street Food Market, open 7 days a week.

Princesshay Square has been transformed into a magical Christmas scene with an open-air snow house bar, 7 heated snow dome pods and outdoor seating, a Bratwurst BBQ grill and wooden chalets selling gifts and seasonal food. The whole area will be lit and decorated for Christmas. There are also special dining domes attached to some of the independent restaurants in the city, where you can dine in your own ‘bubble’ whilst watching the world go by!

With social distancing measures in place across the city, reduced capacities in shops and carefully managed queuing systems, Exeter has worked hard to be a safe place to shop this Christmas. If you prefer to shop from the comfort and safety of your own homes, there are still many ways to support local businesses – check out Visit Exeter’s Virtual Christmas Market for inspiration.

If you are stuck for the perfect gift this Christmas treat your loved ones to an independent gift card. The joy of the card is that the gifted amount can be spent across multiple independent retailers, salons, cafes and restaurants, so you really are supporting local with the card. Purchase online at www.inexetergiftcard.co.uk. Check out our gift inspiration blog for more ideas!

There is also festive entertainment at the city’s theatres, with swashbuckling family comedy Treasure Island at the Exeter Northcott from the 9^th December – 9^th January, and traditional panto fun at the Exeter Corn Exchange, with the Wizard of Oz from 19^th December – 3^rd January. Both shows have social distancing measures in place, book now in your household or support bubble to avoid disappointment.

When you're shopped out, or just want a bit of peace from the bustle of Christmas shopping, pop into Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum. Centrally located on Queen Street, the museum is free to visit, with 16 galleries of fascinating exhibitions to explore! The RAMM Shop also has some wonderful unique Christmas gifts. Follow the RAMM on social for festive ideas and fun online every day of the month in the run up to Christmas, plus fun facts, jokes, and special offers in the RAMM shop.

Visit Cotley Farm Christmas Shop, near Whimple, where the elves are getting lots of new things in place to make sure you can still have a magical Christmas visit. With lots of new features on site including a new Nativity barn, undercover area for takeaway teas, coffees, and cake, as well as a new baby reindeer that was born earlier in the year, this will be a truly special festive experience not to be missed!

See the list below for more Christmas events in Exeter in 2020. 

Christmas trees in Exeter

If you're looking for a real tree to decorate in your home this Christmas, there are plenty of options in and around Exeter.

Haldon Forest offer high quality, sustainably-grown trees directly from the forest, enjoy a walk in the forest first, grab a hot chocolate from the Ridge Cafe then choose your tree for a wonderfully festive day out! Choose from a wide selection of trees grown and nutured on Cotley Farm, or head to Bernaville where they also have a good selection of trees.

Darts Farm offer trees freshly cut by the Dartmoor Christmas Tree Company, or if you buy a real tree from IKEA for £29 between 22nd November - 24th December 2020 you'll receive a voucher worth £20, which can be redeemed between 18th January - 28th February 2021!