Christmas in Exeter

Experience the magic of Christmas in Exeter. There is so much to see and do you'll want to stay longer, so why not make the most of the season and treat yourself to an overnight stay at one of the city-centre hotels, all of which are offering fantastic festive packages.

The wonderfully atmospheric Cathedral Christmas Market returns from 15^th November – 15^th December. Explore the labyrinth of winding lanes, festooned with fairy lights and laced with the seasonal sights and smells of over 100 festive chalets, plus a new area in the Cloister Garden, hosting independent traders.

While visiting the Cathedral Market you can also take advantage of Exeter Cathedral's 'Entry by donation' offer to explore its amazing architecture and discover one thousand years of wonder. Throughout the festive season the Cathedral plays host to a wonderful array of performances including popular carol services, Christmas by Candlelight and The Exeter Nativity.

Exeter’s Christmas lights will be on across the city from the afternoon of Friday 15^th November, to coincide with the first day of the Christmas Market. Look out for the return of Exeter’s giant bauble, plus a new light up arch on the High Street! The Guildhall Shopping Centre are hosting a Christmas lights switch-on event with the Grinch at 4pm in the Guildhall’s Market Square.

New for 2024, you can follow the Countdown to Christmas Trail around Exeter, from 22nd November until 27^th December. Explore the city, visit key locations and collect the letters that spell out a secret Christmas word to claim a special Exeter sticker sheet. You’ll also get the chance to be entered into a draw to win one of 5 Exeter Independent Gift Cards.

The Christmashay Village in Princesshay (28^th November – 22^nd December) will offer the chance to shop for unique gifts from local traders, with refreshments in the festive chalet outdoor bar and regular live entertainment and performances throughout the festive period.

Late-night shopping will start with a bang in Princesshay, as the Spark Drummers will be performing at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm on Thursday 28^th November. Shops will then be open until 8pm every Thursday until 19^th December.

Don’t miss Santa in his golden sleigh under the glass canopy in Princesshay every Sunday in December (leading up to Christmas) between 10.30am – 4.30pm. Families will be able to pose with Santa and his Elf for a festive photo before taking home a little keepsake for the tree. Princesshay’s charity partner ELF will be accepting donations (£2.50) from families queuing up to meet Father Christmas.

Visit the Guildhall Shopping Centre for more family fun this Christmas, with character visits and festive entertainment. Late night shopping will run every Thursday from 21^st November in the Guildhall, with shops open until 7pm. On the last late night shopping evening of 19^th December, shops will be open even later until 9pm, with entertainment throughout the evening.

New for this year, the Shop at RAMM will be open for two special late night shopping evenings, on the 12^th and 19^th December – the perfect opportunity to browse for a unique Exeter gift!

Your four-legged friends will also get the chance to join in the festive fun, as they can have their photo taken on the new Santa Paws throne in the Guildhall Shopping Centre on 7th December, 11am - 4pm, and even have a festive paw-trait drawn during a special event in John Lewis.

Don’t miss the spectacle of hundreds of Santas running through the city, as Exeter City Community Trust’s Santa Run is back on the 1^st December!

Winter Wonderland returns to Northernhay Gardens from 22^nd November to the 24^th December, with an undercover ice-rink, plenty of exciting rides and attractions, an abundance of locally-sourced festive refreshments and a giant Santa’s Grotto and Naughty Elf Workshop!

The festive fun doesn’t have to stop in the evening, as Exeter's variety of theatres provide plenty of choice when it comes to the traditional pantomime - check out the list of pantos in Exeter here!

Just four miles from Exeter, the beautiful estuary town of Topsham offers a wonderfully eclectic Christmas shopping experience. With over 50 independent shops and services across town, you’re sure to find a unique gift. Visit during their Christmas shopping evening to soak up the festive atmosphere.

The Topsham Christmas Lights Switch-On is all set for Friday 29th November at Matthew Hall, with entertainment from the fabulous Otter Morris dance troupe and a countdown to 5pm lights-on by Olympic triple gold medallist and Topsham resident Pete Reed OBE. The Traditional Love Topsham Festive Market at St Margaret’s, from 5pm to 8.30pm, will be showcasing gift ideas galore from over 25 artisan craft stalls plus a choir – and make room for their infamous mulled wine and mince pies!

Find out more on the Love Topsham website. 

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. 

See the list below for more Christmas events in Exeter in 2024, as they're confirmed.