There aren't many better places to get your gift-buying underway than at the fabulous Devon Christmas markets. Exeter and Plymouth both have major markets running over several weeks, but there are various other events for you to visit – including an increasingly impressive one in Braunton.
Make an evening or day of it, because here you'll find a range of gift ideas alongside some of the area's top food and drink producers:
Where: Cathedral Green, Exeter
When: Saturday, November 16th to Thursday, December 19th
Times: 10am to 7pm (Monday to Wednesday), 10am to 9pm (Thursday to Saturday), 11am to 5pm (Sunday)
What to expect: Some of Devon's best traders, selling festive food and drink, crafts, gift ideas and much more
Set on Exeter Cathedral Green, this award-winning event features crafts, gifts and tasty food to keep you fuelled as you explore, all against the stunning backdrop of Exeter Cathedral. Traditional wooden chalets inspired by German markets and sparkling lights and craft arrangements on the stalls all create a wonderful Yuletide atmosphere. Events and activities take place at the cathedral itself as well including carol services, concerts, events and education activities.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Exeter
Where: Plymouth City Centre
When: Thursday, 28th November to Thursday, 19th December
Times: 10am to 6pm (Monday to Wednesday), 10am to 9pm (Thursday), 10am to 6pm (Friday and Saturday) and 10am to 5pm (Sunday)
What to expect: More than 50 stalls selling the best arts, crafts and foods from around the South West, perfect for some Christmas shopping
You’ll find more traditional wooden cabins, twinling lights and wonderful atmosphere at this South West Christmas market. Over 50 traders set up in the Piazza in the centre of Plymouth to sell a range of wonderful gifts and unique items to visitors. Chow down on street food and partake of the mulled wine – and make sure you get a selfie in front of the giant illuminated bauble!
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Plymouth
Where: Queen Street and Courtenay Street, Newton Abbot
When: Wednesday 11th and Wednesday 18th December
Times: 4pm to 9pm
What to expect: All things chrismassy from good seasonal food and mulled wine to designer chintz
With a mix of stalls and shops open late, this event (taking place just for two nights!) is a magical Christmas market where you can pick up gifts for your loved ones. The best bit has to be the Lantern Parade that sees huge paper lanterns, beautifully lit up from inside, carried through the streets. Listen to the carollers while you enjoy some of the street food on offer, and if you have youngsters they can meet Santa in his Clock Tower grotto.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in nearby Torquay
Where: Caen Street Car Park, Braunton
When: 7th December
Times: Midday to 9pm
What to expect: Live music, great food and drink, including great mince pies, and some of North Devon's best crafty creators
This Braunton event offers over 130 stalls for you to peruse as well as the local shops, pubs and bars which stay open to accommodate shoppers. Sip a glass of mulled wine or indulge in a frothy hot chocolate while exploring the stalls. A wonderful atmosphere descends over the whole village on this busy night, and live music sets the tone for a fun Christmassy event.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Barnstaple
Where: South Molton Pannier Market
When: Friday, November 29th
Times: 4pm to 9pm
What to expect: A wide range of unexpected trinkets, wonderful food and drink and live entertainment
Escape to this one-night event in the heart of South Molton where there are over 60 stalls in the pannier market and a whole host of family activities to enjoy. Fairground rides, Santa's grotto, live music, children's lantern parade, Bideford's Pipes and Drums, a Snow Globe, food stalls and a Christmas tree festival all come together to create a fun event full of wonderful Yuletide atmosphere.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in South Molton
Where: Totnes Market Square
When: Tuesdays, December 4th, 11th and 18th
Times: 3.30pm to 9.30pm
What to expect: A diverse and eclectic mix of Christmas stalls and performances from local musicians
Totnes market square plays host to a variety of Christmas markets stalls on these three nights and it will be home to performances too, with choirs, schools, lantern parades, drummers and a Santa’s grotto all taking place. Taste local cider and mulled wine, and dine of delicious street food at the Christmas market in Totnes where you can relax and enjoy the good cheer.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Totnes
Where: The Square, Crediton
When: Saturday, 21st December
Times: 10am to 1pm
What to expect: Some of Mid Devon's best traders, offering up some last-minute Christmas treats
A traditional farmer’s market with a Christmassy twist! Head to The Square in Crediton where you can pick up wonderful goodies for Christmas or treats for friends. Fresh seasonal produce is sold here primarily by local farmers as part of the premise for this delightful market is that stallholders only sell what they grow. Choose from the delicious offerings and find tasty produce for your Christmas dinner.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Crediton
Where: Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre, Lifton
When: TBC
Times: TBC
What to expect: Glassware, aromatic candles, home furniture and much more, in fairground surroundings!
Enjoy all the fun of the fair at this vintage fairground in the heart fo Devon. It’s a beautifully unique space for a Christmas event and there’s plenty of rides to keep grown-ups and children amused. You can also browse craft stalls and sit to dine in the café – family fun for everyone!
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁
Stay in nearby Tavistock
Where: Totnes Civic Hall
When: Saturday, November 23rd
Times: 10am to 4pm
What to expect: Around 30 stalls offering everything from stocking fillers to special, unique gifts
There’s a quaint and charming Christmas market taking place in November in Totnes a few weeks before the big late-night shopping arrives. Around 30 stalls are set up in Totness Civic Hall with a selection of delights for you to peruse including crafts and gifts. Enjoy a tea and cake at this relaxed Christmas market in Totnes; it’s just the way to get yourself in the Christmas spirit.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Totnes
Where: Tavistock Town Hall
When: Saturday, November 9th
Times: 10am-4pm
What to expect: Unusual gift ideas, winter-hardy plants, Christmas decorations and fun for the kids
This super early Christmas market provides a wonderful place to peruse stalls and enjoy tasty treats right at the beginning of this festive season. If you’re really organised, this is a fantastic chance to get ahead with your Christmas shopping and pick up a few stocking fillers and uniques presents for your family. If you aren’t into present-buying, you can just soak up the atmosphere of this November Yuletide event.
Our rating: 🎁🎁🎁
Stay in Tavistock
Christmas markets in Devon are some of the UK's most popular, with a fantastic and unique variety of stalls to shop, music to enjoy and activities to take part in. Combine a trip to one of the fabulous events with a Christmas in Devon, perfect for unforgettable winter holidays.
Find somewhere special to stay in Devon this festive time via our range of cottages for Christmas.
Cottages for Christmas
Be sure to check the local press and online for changes nearer the dates, as they are subject to change.