Exeter's Christmas guide

Festivities begin next week

The preparation of Devon's biggest Christmas market is well and truly under way - and here's everything you need to know!

Exeter is ready for the festive season with brand new Christmas lights and a packed programme full of events set to begin on 14 November.

InExeter, the cities Business Improvement District, has told residents to expect 'starry cascades along the High Street', with ground installations and star-themed projections and installations to light up the streets.

The Christmas market

The Christmas market is set to return to Cathedral Green from 20 November to 19 December with over 100 festive retail and hospitality chalets.

Visitors will be able to get their hands on different artisan gifts, street food, and mulled wine all while taking in the cathedrals architecture. It also hosts a collection of performances like carol services, Christmas by Candlelight and the Exeter nativity.

Christmashay village

Launching on 14 November, Christmashay Village will be in Princesshay with 17 festive cabins with local makers and small businesses. Six street food units will offer classics from Bratwurst and Churros to the new Mistletoe Bar!

SPARK! Drummers will celebrate the start of late night shopping on Thursday 20 November every week until Christmas.

Santa Sundays will begin on 30 November, allowing families to meet Father Christmas on his sleigh. Visitors will be able to pose for a festive photo and take home a small keepsake in exchange for a donation to Vranch House, Princesshay's partner.

Guildhall festive fun

Guildhall shopping centre is bringing the magic of christmas indoors this year, with a range of festive experiences!

The free indoor play area will be turned into a winter wonderland, with meet-and-greets with Mr and Mrs Claus, and mischievous visits from The Grinch throughout December.

Winter Wonderland at Northernhay Gardens

It's everyone's favourite - the Winter Wonderland returns from 22 November to 24 December. Complete with an ice rink, Santa's grotto, light trail and food stalls, it's one of the biggest attractions in Exeter during the festive season!

Late night shopping in the city centre take's place until 20:00 every Thursday between 20 November and 18 December.

InExeter have also published a timeline of different festive highlights across the city:

•    14 November – Christmas lights begin to sparkle across the city, Christmashay Village opens
•    20 November – First late-night shopping, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market opens, SPARK! performing in Princesshay
•    22 November – Festive Fore Street Flea, 12:00–16:00
•    22 November – Winter Wonderland opens, Northernhay Gardens
•    30 November – Advent Procession, Exeter Cathedral, 18:00–20:00
•    30 November – Santa Sundays start in Princesshay until 21 December, 10:30–16:30
•    5 December – Library Lates, Exeter Central Library, 19:00–21:00
•    6 December – Magdalen Road Christmas Fair
•    6 December – Christmas Belle Storytelling, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–13:00
•    7 December – Exeter Santa Run, Exeter City Centre, 09:00–10:30
•    11 December – Sacred Winter Fayre, Sacred Grounds, 18:30-20:30
•    11 December – Night at the Museum – Winter Wonders, RAMM, 17:30–20:30
•    13 December – The Grinch Visits, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–15:00
•    14 December – The Exeter Nativity, Exeter Cathedral, 16:00–18:00
•    18 December – The Grinch Returns, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 14:00–19:00
•    20 December – Santa & Mrs Claus Storytelling, Guildhall Shopping Centre, 11:00–15:00

Nicola Wheeler, CEO of InExeter said: "Christmas in Exeter is always something to look forward to. We're proud to bring a new Christmas light scheme to the city this year on behalf of the businesses who fun it through the Business Improvement District Levy. Working closely with our partners across the city, every detail has been designed to make the experience as joyful and memorable as possible. Exeter has so much to offer this Christmas - from the selfie spots and pop-up performances in Guildhall and Princesshay, to the iconic Christmas Market and the many independent shops across the city’s quarters, we invite everyone to enjoy Christmas in Exeter.”