Why it’s worth making the trip to spend Christmas in Devon
There’s something special about Christmas in Devon. Twinkling harbours, mulled wine by the sea, frosty walks on Dartmoor and festive markets in every corner of the county. Whether you’re after a long weekend of gift shopping or a cosy family Christmas break, Devon has it wrapped up.
In this guide we’ve rounded up the best Christmas markets in Devon for 2026, the Christmas fairs worth a detour, and our favourite festive things to do in Plymouth and Torquay, where you’ll find our apartments. We’ve also suggested where to stay, so you can swap the drive home for a short stroll back to a warm, comfy apartment.
The best Christmas markets in Devon for 2026
From city squares to cathedral greens and quaysides, here are the Christmas markets in Devon we’d put in the diary this year.
Plymouth Christmas Market, Armada Way
26 November to 20 December 2026
Plymouth’s Christmas market returns to Armada Way and New George Street, right in the heart of the city. Expect wooden chalets full of gifts, street food, mulled wine and live music, with late opening until 9pm on Thursdays. Armada Way has just had a big makeover, so it’s a lovely spot for a festive wander. Find full details on Visit Plymouth.
Stay nearby: our Plymouth holiday apartments on the Hoe are a short walk from the market, so you can shop until late and stroll home.
Royal William Yard Festive Good Food & Craft Market, Plymouth
Sundays in November and December, plus Wednesday evenings in December
For something a little more independent, head to Royal William Yard on Plymouth’s waterfront. Local makers and food producers fill the historic Melville building and courtyard, and the Yard’s bars and restaurants make it easy to turn shopping into an evening out. You can even arrive by ferry from the Barbican. Check dates on the Royal William Yard Christmas page.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
13 November to 13 December 2026
Devon’s biggest and longest-running Christmas market fills Cathedral Green with stalls selling crafts, gifts and seasonal food. It’s open every day, until 9pm Thursday to Saturday. Exeter is an easy day trip from Torquay or Plymouth by train. More on Visit Exeter.
Torre Abbey Christmas Market, Torquay
Part of the Bay of Lights, from 28 November 2026
Torquay’s Christmas market sets up around Torre Abbey as part of the Bay of Lights festival, with festive stalls, local food and drink and the illuminated gardens as a backdrop. Pair it with the illumination trail along the seafront (more on that below).
Stay nearby: Astor House overlooks Tor Bay, a short seafront walk from Torre Abbey.
Brixham Christmas Market
28 November 2026
Brixham’s harbour looks wonderful at Christmas. The town also hosts its Lanterns, Lights and ‘Luminations lantern parade and lights switch-on in late November. Brixham is a short bus or ferry hop from Torquay.
Totnes Christmas Markets and late-night shopping
Tuesdays 8, 15 and 22 December 2026, 3pm to 9pm
Quirky, independent Totnes is made for Christmas shopping. On these Tuesday evenings the streets fill with stalls, music and late-opening shops.
More Christmas markets in Devon
- Dawlish Christmas Street Market, 21 to 22 November 2026, with the town’s lights switch-on
- Tavistock Christmas Festival, 6 December 2026, an easy trip from Plymouth
- North Devon Christmas Market, Braunton, 5 December 2026
For a full county list, Devon with Kids keeps a handy round-up of Christmas markets in Devon by area.
Christmas fairs in Devon
If you prefer a one-off festive fair to a weeks-long market, these Christmas fairs in Devon are worth planning around.
- Buckfast Abbey Christmas Fair, Buckfastleigh (26 to 28 November 2026). Three days of stalls in the grounds of a working abbey, about 40 minutes from both Plymouth and Torquay.
- Mount Edgcumbe Christmas Fair (12 to 13 December 2026, 10am to 3pm). Hop on the Cremyll Ferry from Plymouth for crafts, festive food and family activities at this country park across the Tamar.
- Christmas at Killerton and Knightshayes (28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027). The National Trust dresses both houses for Christmas, with seasonal shops and walks. See our guide to the National Trust in Devon for more ideas, or check the National Trust’s Devon Christmas events.
Looking for more festive shopping in the city? Our guide to shopping in Plymouth covers the best independent shops and shopping centres.
Christmas in Plymouth: festive things to do
Britain’s Ocean City really comes alive in December. Here’s how to fill a festive weekend in Plymouth.
See the Plymouth Christmas lights switched on
The city centre lights switch-on takes place on the Piazza on Thursday 12 November 2026, with free entertainment and the first late-night shopping of the season (Visit Plymouth). The Barbican usually holds its own switch-on in mid-November, when Santa arrives by RNLI lifeboat.
Book a panto at the Theatre Royal
This year’s Theatre Royal Plymouth pantomime is Cinderella, starring Will Young as the Fairy Godfather. It runs from 4 December 2026 to 3 January 2027, and tickets are on the Theatre Royal Plymouth website.
Wander the Barbican and the Hoe
The cobbled Barbican is at its cosiest on a December evening, with its independent shops, pubs and harbourside lights. Then wrap up for a bracing walk across Plymouth Hoe with views over the Sound. Find more ideas in our ten things to do in Plymouth.
Where to stay for Christmas in Plymouth
Our Elliot Terrace apartments sit on Plymouth Hoe, within walking distance of the Christmas market, the Theatre Royal and the Barbican. Many have sea views, so you can watch the lights across the Sound from the sofa. Browse all our Plymouth holiday apartments, and remember that booking direct gets you our best price.
Christmas in Torquay and the English Riviera
Torquay swaps summer sunshine for festive sparkle in winter, and the whole bay gets involved.
Walk the Bay of Lights illumination trail
The English Riviera’s Bay of Lights returns from 28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Its centrepiece is a free 1.5-mile illumination trail along Torquay seafront, running between Torre Abbey and the harbourside, with light installations and a projection show on Torre Abbey itself. Head out at dusk, grab a hot chocolate and take your time.
Ride the Christmas Train of Lights
Dartmouth Steam Railway’s Train of Lights runs from Paignton along the coast to Kingswear on selected dates from late November to 30 December, with the carriages lit up inside and out. It’s a firm family favourite, so book early on the Dartmouth Steam Railway website.
See A Very Miniature Christmas at Babbacombe
Babbacombe Model Village transforms into a tiny festive world with thousands of lights on selected dates from late November into the new year. It’s charming for children and grown-ups alike.
Where to stay for Christmas in Torquay
Astor House is a converted Victorian villa overlooking the beach and Tor Bay, a few hundred metres from the town centre and right by the illumination trail. For a quieter base close to the harbour, try Trinity Mews in the heart of Torquay. See all our Torquay holiday apartments, or filter for sea views.
More festive things to do in Devon at Christmas
- Take a Santa train. South Devon Railway runs The Polar Express from Buckfastleigh, and Seaton Tramway hosts its own version in East Devon. Devon with Kids has a full guide to Christmas trains in Devon.
- See more Christmas lights in Devon. Town switch-ons run from mid-November across the county, from Dawlish to Totnes.
- Feast on local food. A Devon Christmas isn’t complete without clotted cream, local cheese and a proper cream tea. Read up on what food Devon is famous for.
- Blow away the cobwebs. A Boxing Day walk on the coast path or a winter beach stroll is a Devon tradition. Here are our top 10 beaches on the English Riviera.
- Bring the dog. Plenty of festive walks and pubs welcome four-legged guests. See our guide to South Devon as a pet-friendly destination and our pet-friendly apartments.
Christmas in Devon FAQs
When do the Christmas markets in Devon start?
The first big one, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, opens on 13 November 2026. Plymouth’s Christmas market follows on 26 November, and most town markets and Christmas fairs in Devon run from late November to mid-December.
What is the biggest Christmas market in Devon?
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is the largest and longest-running, open for a full month. Plymouth’s market on Armada Way is the biggest in the west of the county.
Is Devon worth visiting at Christmas?
Absolutely. You get festive markets, light trails and pantos without big-city crowds, plus quiet beaches and coastal walks. Devon’s mild climate helps too; see our guide to Devon’s weather.
Where should I stay for Christmas in Devon?
Base yourself in Plymouth for the Christmas market, panto and waterfront, or Torquay for the Bay of Lights and the English Riviera. Both are about an hour apart, so you can easily see the best of each.
Can I stay longer over winter?
Yes. If you’d like to spend more than a few nights, our winter lets offer great value stays across the festive season and beyond.
Plan your Christmas break in Devon
Whether it’s a weekend of Christmas markets in Devon or a full festive family break, our contemporary coastal apartments in Plymouth and Torquay make the perfect base. Expect self check-in, ultrafast Wi-Fi and a friendly local team who are happy to share their festive tips. Book direct for our lowest price and exclusive offers, or get in touch and we’ll help you find the right apartment.
[Event dates were correct at the time of writing. Please check with organisers before you travel.]
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