Christmas events in Exeter 2017
There are plenty of events to get involved in around Exeter this Christmas. There are SO many in fact, that we have collaborated with the brilliant Arts Fairies to bring you as many Christmassy things to look forward to as possible!
Here’s my list of Christmas fayres, places to see Father Christmas, fun activities and music, I have included a link to each event with more informations should it tickle your fancy!
Be sure to pop over to The Arts Fairies blog after from more ideas.
Essential Events
16th November, 4-7pm: Head to Princesshay for the Christmas lights switch on and a festive programme of entertainment from local artists and performers including Cathedral Choristers, Jonah and the super band, theatre from The Bike Shed and a festive house band.
30th November, 5, 6 and 7pm: Arco, a spectacular fifteen minute display of acrobatics performed from a inflated arch in Princesshay Square.
3rd December, 9-10am: Exeter Community Trust’s Santa Run, starting at Princesshay. Bring your friends and family along & get dressed up to raise some money for Childrens Hospice South West, Age UK and Exeter Deaf Academy.
7th Dec, 7:30-9pm: ‘take a wild guess’ at the Christmas quiz at Cricklepit mill, Commercial Road. Friendly festive quiz with prizes; no special wildlife knowledge needed.
7th December (three shows at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm): Spark! in Princesshay Square is a mesmerising 30 minute performance of high impact drumming and kaleidoscopic lighting.
10th December 1.30-4pm: Big Fish Little Fish Exeter ‘Jingle Bell Ball’ family rave! with amazing Alex Paterson (The Orb). Read my BFLF review here.
25th December, 11-12pm: CHRISTMAS DAY SWIM on Exmouth Beach (if you dare)
Copyright Stephanie Darkes, Exploring Exeter 2016
Christmas fayres
16th-19th November and 30 Nov – 3 December, 12-4.30pm: Buy beautiful unique Christmas presents, and support amazing small creative businesses, at one of Sprout and Shed’s Festive pop ups! Their festive cabins in Exeter Guildhall (in the square by the church) will be full to the brim with gorgeous toys, gifts, clothes and stocking fillers.
19 November, 10-3pm: Get in the festive mood at Poltimore’s Christmas Fair and find inspiration for creative gifts for Christmas from their wide range of artisan stalls
23 November, 17:30 – 8pm: Gandy Street traders welcome Christmas shoppers with a spectacular Christmas Festival: Countdown to Christmas. Expect lights, music, mince pies, fizz, discounts AND SNOW!!
30 November – 23 December, Thursdays 9-9pm, Fridays & Saturdays, 9-5pm: Castle Street Christmas Markets. Pick up a Christmas gift with a difference
25 November, 10-4pm: Silverton Christmas Fair at Silverton community hall. Christmas shop, drink and listen to some live music at the Silverton annual Christmas Fair in aid of Silverton Preschool. Entry is £2.50
25th November, 10-4.30pm: Unique Boutique is back at Exeter Pheonix to fill your stockings to the brim with locally made and handcrafted goods. This year there are also makers in the Workshop.
Sunday 26th November, 12-4pm: The Festive Fore Street Flea with crafty folks, bakers and makers, mulled wine, Christmas Nibbles and gifts galore!
26th november, 11-3pm: Christmas Fair at the Shelter, Bakers Hill, Exeter, See the animals, shop for gifts and bargains all in support of the RSPCA amazing work.
1 December at 17:00–20:00: Christmas Craft Fayre And Late Night Shopping at Bicton Botanical Gardens with local craft, festive Chocolate treats, Handmade jewellery and Woodwork and Father Christmas will be there in his grotto!
Musical Extravaganzas
7th December: Get out your shell suit and go Back to the 90s at the Terrace (Guildhall Shopping Centre) featuring East 17.
9th and 14th December, 7pm: Carols with Exeter Cathedral Choir at Exeter Cathedral – Book early for this one!
16th December, 7.30: Big Noise Noel, Big Noise Choruses will be putting on a festive feast of seasonal and uplifting songs at the United Reformed Church.
19 December, 8pm: Belshazzar’s Feast at Exeter Phoenix, Gandy Street. Christmas-themed show that mixes traditional folk music, seasonal material, added to their usual touch of classical and jazz, with a bit of pop and music hall, all topped off with lashings of wry humour. Paul Hutchinson (Hoover The Dog, Pagoda Project) and Paul Sartin (Bellowhead, Faustus).
7 Dec 2017, 7.30pm: It’s getting saucy at Exeter Cathedral with the Mediaeval Baebes who have flown in from the States to perform a Christmas Carol Concert.
25th November – 23rd December (12.30 and 3pm) (every Saturday and Sunday): Christmas music at Killerton House by members of local groups, bands and choirs (see event for full details).
Family Fun and places to see Father Christmas
1st December at 17:00–20:00: Christmas Craft Fayre And Late Night Shopping at Bicton Botanical Gardens with local craft and Father Christmas will be there in his grotto!
25 Nov to 5 Jan: Have a very special Wind in the Willows Christmas at Killerton. We went to their Grimm themed event last year and it was fabulous. Here you can meet a very traditional Father Christmas, dressed in Green.
2nd & 3rd, 9th & 10th,16th – 23rd December: is Santa’s Magical Christmas at Crealy, Clyst St Mary
2nd – 23rd December, 10-3.30: Go back in time and visit Santa in the Victorian years at World of Country Life in Exmouth – we went last year and it was lovely!
For arty things to do, and theatre, pop over to the lovely Arts fairies blog – she has written an amazing list with a zillion brilliant ideas to keep the kids busy over the holidays.
Whatever you do and whereever you go, have an AWESOME Christmas xx
