Kate A
23 November 2018
It’s time to hang the mistletoe and decorate the tree; the moment you and your family have been waiting for all year is finally here: the countdown to Christmas is officially on! If your little ones are more excited than Santa’s elves, why not make the most of the season and treat everyone to a fun festive Devon holiday? From breakfast with Santa to hilarious pantomimes and bustling Christmas markets to magical steam train rides, the county is simply bursting with yuletide cheer to excite the whole family.
As children all over the country begin to open the first doors of their advent calendars, we’ve decided to create our very own Stay In Devon Advent Calendar, which hands out something even better than chocolate. We’ve picked out 25 family-friendly festive events, markets and festivals in Devon - one for each day in the run-up to Christmas – because there is no greater gift than spending quality time together at this special time of year.
Make it a Christmas to remember with these fun festive events in Devon…
1. North Devon Christmas Market
Where: Caen Street Car Park, Braunton
When: Saturday, December 1st
Top Tips: Look out for delicious locally made food and drink to try, and unique handmade gifts to fill your family’s Christmas stockings.
2. Clovelly Christmas Lights Switch-On
Where: Clovelly Harbour
When: Sunday, December 2nd
Top Tips: The light switch on takes place at about 5pm followed by a festive carol service and a grand finale of dazzling fireworks.
3. Christmas Toddler Takeover Days
Where: The Big Sheep, Bideford
When: Monday December 3rd to Friday December, 7th
Top Tips: Tickets to Toddler Takeover Days can only be pre-booked before 9am each day in order to receive the special reduced toddler prices.
4. Penguins: A LEGO® brick trail
Where: Plymouth City Centre
When: December 3rd- January 3rd
Top Tips: Whilst you are looking for penguins, keep an eye out for the fantastic LEGO brick Santa Express at the Old Town Street entrance to Drake Circus – the perfect place for a festive selfie!
5. Newton Abbot late night shopping
Where: St Leonard's Tower, Newton Abbot
When: Three Wednesday's througout December (5th, 12th and 19th)
Top Tips: Once Santa has parked his reindeer on top of the Clock Tower, he can be found inside for children to visit and receive a bag of sweets.
6. Christmas Murder Mystery Night
Where: The Imperial Hotel, Torquay
When: December 6th and 20th
Top Tips: Stay alert, keep your eyes and ears open and trust no one!
7. Winter Wonderland Grotto
Where: Fleet Walk Shopping Centre, Torquay
When: November 17th - December 24th (Fridays and weekends only)
Top Tips: Photography elves ensure that every child has a picture to capture the special moment when they meet Father Christmas.
8. Train of Lights
Where: Dartmouth Steam Railway
When: 1st, 2nd, 4th, 11th, 18th & 27th-31st December depart at 5pm and 7pm; 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th & 20th-23rd December trains depart at 7pm only
Top Tips: Tickets must be booked in advance, and, if you travel on the 7pm service, indulge in the spirit of the season by wearing pyjamas!
9. Christmas Flea Market
Where: Pannier Market, South Molton
When: Sunday, December 9th
Top Tips: Get there early to enjoy the freshest local food including heavenly homemade cakes.
10. Plymouth Christmas Market
Where: Plymouth City Centre
When: November 29th - December 16th
Top Tips: For some festive family snaps, visit the illuminated bauble arch.
11. Totnes Night Christmas Market
Where: Fore Street and High Street, Totnes
When: Tuesdays, December 4th, 11th and 18th
Top Tips: There is a convenient Park and Ride service operating between 5.30-10pm.
12. Exeter Christmas Market
Where: Cathedral Green, Exeter
When: November 15th - December 16th
Top Tips: Treat yourself to a secret recipe mulled apple gin to take with you as you explore the market.
13. Carols In The Caves
Where: Kents Cavern, Torquay
When: Thursday, December 13th
Top Tips: Booking is essential, and don’t forget to wrap up warm and bring sensible footwear.
14. Dick Whittington
Where: Theatre Royal, Plymouth
When: December 14th - January 12th
Top Tips: Starring John Partridge and Samantha Womack, this action-packed pantomime is full of laughter, music and dance - but hurry, tickets on sale now!
15. Santa's Grotto and Elf Emporium
Where: The Milky Way Adventure Park, Bideford
When: December 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd
Top Tips: To guarantee a visit to see Santa and his elves, as well as the chance to decorate delicious gingerbread straight from Mother Christmas’ kitchen, you need to book online.
16. Woolly's Wonderland
Where: The Big Sheep, Bideford
When: December 1st - 24th (weekends)
Top Tips: See Santa’s Magical Light Show and make the most of the Ewetopia Indoor Playground, Eweston Station Train Ride and Twister Ride.
17. Crealy Christmas Spectacular
Where: Crealy Adventure Park and Resort, Exeter
When: December 1st-23rd
Top Tips: Bring your letter to Santa with you and watch as the Elves stamp it, sort it and send it on its merry way in Santa’s Post Office.
18. Santa By Steam
Where: South Devon Railway
When: December 1st-24th
Top Tips: Be sure to pre-book your tickets so Santa’s elves know how many presents to wrap!
19. Christmas at the Zoo
Where: Paignton Zoo, Paignton
When: December 15th-24th
Top Tips: If you complete the gingerbread trail, you will receive a special gift from the elves.
20. Breakfast with Santa
Where: Living Coasts, Torquay
When: December 20th-23rd
Top Tips: Half-price entry to Living Coasts after Breakfast with Santa will be offered to non-Annual Pass holders who have pre-booked this special event, valid only on the day you attend the breakfast.
21. Christmas at the Model Village
Where: Babbacombe Model Village, Torquay
When: December 8th - January 1st
Top Tips: Ensure you plan to stay until at least 5pm to experience the magic of the Christmas lights in the village after dark.
22. Santa Claws Christmas Special
Where: Torquay’s Dinosaur World, Torquay
When: December 15th - January 6th
Top Tips: Take the Santa Claws Christmas Quiz to win a present from the dinosaurs – a free bag of 160-million-year-old fossils!
23. Victorian Christmas
Where: Arlington Court, Barnstaple
When: November 24th- December 23rd (weekends)
Top Tips: As well as the house to discover, there are family craft sessions available and you can pick up a Christmas trail for £1 and explore the outdoors, looking out for festive deer.
24. Christmas Nativity
Where: Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh
When: November 24th- December 24th (weekends)
Top Tips: With a range of costumes available, every child can even become a star performer in the nativity so don’t forget to bring your camera!
25. HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Eat, drink and be merry; spend time with friends and family; and most importantly, have a fun and joyous time this Christmas!
Why not combine a trip to one of these Christmas events in Devon with an unforgettable winter holiday or treat yourself by planning a UK holiday for 2019? Find somewhere special to stay in Devon this festive season with our family-friendly range of cottages for Christmas.
Be sure to check the local press and online for changes nearer the dates, as they are subject to change.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.