Get set for Christmas in Exeter with a sack load of events
Published: 20 October 2022
Exeter is the place to be this Christmas with loads of festive fun and entertainment going on across the city.
With just over nine weeks to go until the big day, people will be starting to plan for the Christmas break. The City Council has come up with a handy guide to what’s going on.
When you think of Christmas, you think of pantomime and this year’s festive offering at the Corn Exchange is Cinderella, running from 17 December until 2 January. Tickets are already on sale, so don’t hesitate, book now at https://www.exetercornexchange.co.uk/
Across the city, Exeter Northcott has a hilarious adaptation of Robin Hood, while Exeter Phoenix has the astonishingly true story of Mary the Pigeon Who Never Gave Up.
By the time of the pantomimes, Exeter will be looking sparkly with the Christmas lights on from 17 November, courtesy of InExeter and the city’s shops and businesses.
Shops will be staying open late in the run up to Christmas for people to get all their presents, food and drink. Late night shopping begins on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 November with shops staying open until late. It continues on Thursday 1, 8, 15 and 22 December.
Princesshay will be launching The Hub in Princesshay Square in collaboration with Margoux and Exeter City Football Club. From 17 November until 1 January there will be live football coverage, Christmas workshops, family entertainment and music. There will also be a charity Christmas Tree Festival and of course Santa’s Lodge www.princesshay.co.uk/santa
There’s also the return of Exeter Carnival on Saturday 26 November, after an absence of 24 years, with a colourful and magical procession through the streets of the city from 6pm to 8pm. This event is being made possible thanks to city centre and Magdalen Road member businesses of InExeter.
In the run up to big day there will be a number of markets offering perfect Christmas gift ideas.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market is always the ideal way to get in the festive mood and this year is no different. The Market opens on 18 November and runs until Sunday 18 December on the Cathedral Green, with multitude of cabins set down a labyrinth of winding lanes, festooned with fairy lights and laced with seasonal sights and smells.
There’s also the Festive Fore Street Flea on 20 November.
This year also sees the return of Exeter’s Winter Wonderland in Northernhay Gardens from 17 November, with an ice rink, winter treats and a colourful Santa’s grotto.
And when you’re all shopped out, then why not discover a bit of peace and serenity at the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery, where they have a wonderful selection of unique Christmas gifts in the RAMM Shop.
To find out about these and all the other events and experiences going on across Exeter, go to the Visit Exeter website.