Christmas is a magical time and there is no better place to experience the magic than in South Devon. In the run up to the main event there is so much to see and do, but don’t just take our word for it read our ‘Best of Guide’ below to get some festive inspiration and make some memories to last a lifetime.
Polar Express Train Ride, South Devon Railway
Your journey begins just like the 2004 motion picture when THE POLAR EXPRESS™ will pick you up at South Devon Railway to take you to the North Pole! You will get to meet the characters from the film including the main man himself Father Christmas. Dress in your and experience a fun filled theatrical adventure as you make your way to the North Pole. There is cookies and of course hot chocolate. You will get to speak with Santa and he may even sign your THE POLAR EXPRESS™ book which is available to purchase with your Polar Express Tickets. Once you arrive back at the station your journey is not at its end. Next you can write a letter to Santa, check if you are on the naughty and nice list and buy a little souvenir of your experience. THE POLAR EXPRESS™ Train Ride at South Devon Railway is truly the most magical Christmas experience.
Tickets are from £29.95 per person. Booking is essential. Only Bookings only.
https://southdevonrailwaythepolarexpressride.com/
Glow Christmas Garden Illumination at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington
Ok so this isn’t South Devon but we think it is well worth a visit! See the beautiful gardens come to life at the spectacular night-time light display at RHS Rosemoor Glow. All the family can enjoy the stunning gardens and follow the Glow trail that incorporates both light and sound. Experience a galaxy of stars, a tunnel of lights, and the Orchard shelter lit up at this wonderful Christmas event. You can even grab a tasty snack or hot drink and do a spot of Christmas shopping at any of the food and craft stalls that will be lining the trail.
Ticket prices start from £7.95 up to £14.95 depending if you are a member or not. Booking essential.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor/whats-on/rosemoor-glow
Lights, Lanterns and Luminations, Brixham
Brixham celebrates its annual Christmas lights switch on with a festival that includes a large Christmas market, live entertainment, musical performances, a children’s choir, and a lantern parade. Although none of the lanterns are launched, this popular Christmas event is full of festive cheer and after the big Christmas light switch on (Saturday 26th November 2022) there is a wonderful fireworks display over the harbour.
Free event.
Follow the Facebook event page of the same name for updates.
Exmouth Winter Festival, Exmouth
Sunday 4th December, 4:00pm onwards.
Enjoy live music from the Liberty Sisters and Crooked Tempo Samba band, and kick off the festive season by watching the children’s lantern parade at the Exmouth Winter Festival on The Strand. This mini-festival will include entertainment from roller-skating performers and light-up hula hoopers. You can join in with the carol-singing, and watch them turn on the Christmas tree lights
Free event.
Carols in the Caves, Kents Cavern, Torquay
Tuesday 29th November, 6th & 13th December. Thursday 1st, 8th & 15th December.
Experience Christmas underground at a candlelit carols service held in the depths of prehistoric caves at Kents Cavern. This unique Christmas experience is suitable for children and adults and includes a bewitching Christmas carol concert by the ‘Yours in Harmony’ and ‘Torbay Police Community Choir’ Once you’ve finished enjoying the concert in the Vestibule Chamber, you can take a candlelit tour around the caves before ending your adventure with hot chocolate or mulled wine in the Great Chamber.
Tickets £20.
https://www.kents-cavern.co.uk/events/detail/carols-concert
Sleeping Beauty Panto Theatre Royal, Plymouth
16th December until 14th January.
Oh no he isn’t of yes, he is! Join Shane Ritchie and a host of panto legends for the annual pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Plymouth. This year is the classic tale of Sleeping Beauty.
Tickets from £18.
https://theatreroyal.com/whats-on/
Exeter Cathedral’s Christmas Market, Exeter
Friday 18th November until Sunday 18th December
There is surely no more beautiful setting for a Christmas market than under the watchful glare of Exeter Cathedral. This is a truly atmospheric and popular Christmas Market. Taking place on the Cathedral Green, the Cathedral Christmas Market is set among a labyrinth of winding lanes, festooned with fairy lights and laced with the seasonal sights and smells of festive chalets, showcasing a wide range of local, regional, national and international suppliers, offering crafts and gifts, and seasonal food and drink. Enjoy delicious global street food, served from pop-up restaurants, cafés and bars, alongside local West Country produce, unique hand-crafted gifts, decorations and much more – all twinkling below the illuminated medieval façade of Exeter Cathedral.
There is seasonal singing from Exeter Cathedral Choir, to entertain once the shopping is done, as well as free admission to experience awe-inspiring architecture and Advent services inside the Cathedral.
Free event.
Christmas at the Castle, Powderham Castle, Exeter
1st to 31st December.
This beautiful Devonshire castle is once again lit up in all its glory for you to wander around and experience it in all its glory. Tickets include access to The Castle and Christmas State Rooms Experience, The Secret Garden and Petting Zoo, The Christmas Barn and Food, Bar and Games, The Grounds including Christmas Trail and Grounds Experience, and, for evening admission tickets only, the Evening Light Walk.
Exmouth Miniature Railway will be running every day and evening and offering rides for £2.
Tickets: Adult £12.95, Children £6.95
Totnes Christmas Market, Totnes
Tuesday 6th, 13th & 20th December 3:00 until 9:00 pm.
Jingle on down to Totnes Christmas Markets and late night shopping to make magical memories for Christmas 2022. The whole town will be getting into the festive spirit with entertainment, good food and drink, gnomes, fairy lights, artisan shopping and much more. Kids will love the free Totnes Gnome Trail! Find unique gifts for loved ones from local makers in over 70+ local artisan stalls in the Christmas Markets as well as in Totnes’ independent stores. Feast on food from a choice of curated street food stalls and Totnes’ fabulous choice of cafes and restaurants.
Free event.
Train of Lights, Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway, Paignton
Starts from 25th November (please see website for dates, times and avalilbity).
The Christmas Train of Lights is fast becoming one of the must-see event in the South West festive calendar. Your festive illuminated journey starts at Queen’s Park Station, Paignton, where our train with vintage carriages await you – decorated with thousands of lights, both inside and out (check out our gallery). The train leads you to the enchanted forest which will be transformed by a multitude of lights with brand new feature displays plus some old favourites! The stunning show ends as you leave the forest only to be greeted by the twinkling lights of Dartmouth reflected on the river Dart.
Tickets from £17.
https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/tickets/christmas-train-of-lights
Back
