13 unmissable Christmas events in Exeter

There are heaps of things to do in Exeter over the Christmas period.  I’ve picked some of my unmissable events so that you don’t have to surf the web to find them yourselves (you can thank me later).

On 17^th November from 4 to 8pm, head to Princesshay Square for the Christmas Light Switch On, marking the official countdown to Christmas for the city.  Exeter’s BID will be lighting up the city and providing us with family friendly entertainment and live music.

10th December – Get outside with A touch of the wild who hold their last family event of the year with games, Christmas craft activity, storytelling and toasted marshmallows round the campfire, followed by a campfire cook-up and a surprise visit from Santa. Tickets £10 child over 18 months, £7.50 adult. We loved forest school with them (read more about that here).

11th December head to Shillingford Organics for their Traditional Christmas Fayre. Meet local producers, take a tractor ride and listen to local musician and children’s entertainer Poco Drom, who we still haven’t seen but comes highly recommended. This event is 12-6 and has limited parking at £3 per car.

21st December: Get your cheese on at the 80s Christmas party in Exeter’s new exclusive venue The Terrace with live music from 80’s tribute band, The Riviera Dogs.

23^rd December, 13.00-14.00 Informal carol singing session at Exeter Cathedral. This year I promised myself and the kids some caroling so we’ll be heading along to this event. If you fancy Midnight Mass (it’s a bit too late for us), some of their Christmas activities for children or a classical concert there are lots of events here. This event has free admission with retiring collection.

Christmas Theatre

There’s plenty of family theatre to choose from this Christmas including:

Beauty and the beast at The Corn Exchange (17-24 Dec) Classic fairytale romance filled with unmissable magic and hilarious comedy characters. Expect glittering sets, wonderful singing and lots of silly slapstick!

Snow White at Barnfield Theatre (22 Dec – 7 Jan) Beautiful Snow White lives with Queen Evelyn in a grand palace but her life is far from that of a perfect princess. Joined by her best friend Silly Simon and childhood nurse, Nanny Nick-Nack, Snow White must learn to be brave and escape the clutches of her evil step mother.

Peter Pan at Exeter Northcott Theatre (2 Dec – 1 Jan) Featuring death defying feats of flying and a generous sprinkling of fairy dust, let your imagination soar in this magical new stage adaptation of J.M. Barrie’s classic story – the perfect festive treat for all the family.

Street Food Exeter 2015

Go Shopping and eating!

The Christmas Market on Cathedral Green (19th Nov – 18 Dec) is happening this year despite the tragedy of the Royal Clarence fire.  The Cathedral Green, will be brought to life by this special seasonal Market, with stalls offering unique, handmade and unusual gifts, decorations and food items – everything needed for a perfect Christmas celebration and to create a real Christmas buzz at the heart of the city.

24th November, 5.30-7pm Support the indies! Gandy Street traders will welcome Christmas shoppers with the Gandy Street Countdown to christmas festival featuring a winter wonderland with goodie bags, mulled wine, prosecco, mince pies, chocolate treats, plus offers and discounts in the shops. There will also be snow, street performers, musicians and bands performing at local venues.

25th-27th November Christmas shopping fayre at Westpoint. We haven’t been ourselves but this event looks huge! Promising lots of crafts and Christmas presents under one roof, this event is ticketed.

In the first two weekends in December Exeter Street Food will be running  their signature foodie events in Southernhay with some “serious festive feasting to get you in the seasonal spirit!”. They also have a Christmas event on the Quay on 1st December and more events here.

3rd December – St Leonard’s Christmas Fayre Come along and support the independent traders in this lovely part of the City of Exeter, which has still got a wonderful village feel and great community spirit.

We have a post coming soon on Christmas events in Devon & meeting Father Christmas & you can read more about our Christmas in Exeter in our column in next months Exeter Life magazine.

Happy present hunting!