Here's your ultimate guide to the holidays in Barnstaple! Find all the best festive events and activities. Whether you're a Barnstaple insider or an outsider looking in, this guide reveals the city's festive soul.
One highlight of the festive season is the enchanting "Beauty and the Beast" at the Queens Theatre, a delightful performance that brings the classic tale to life. Another notable attraction is the Plymouth Winter Wonderland, where you can enjoy ice skating, a Christmas market, and festive stalls. And the "Lanterns, Lights and Luminations" is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a stunning display of lights set against a beautiful backdrop. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Barnstaple
- Plymouth Winter Wonderland (Plymouth)
- Beauty and the Beast at Queens Theatre
- Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market (Exeter)
- Clovelly Christmas Lights (Clovelly)
- Lanterns, Lights and Luminations (Brixham)
- Barnstaple Christmas lights switch-on and Fayre
- Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto (Exeter)
- Jack and the Beanstalk, Princess Theatre (Torquay)
- Christmas at Woodlands (Dartmouth)
- Winter-Fest Light Trail at Crealy (Exeter)
See these and even more events listed below!
Barnstaple Holiday Light Displays
Winter-Fest Light Trail at Crealy
What to Expect:
Rides and light displays in the evening.
Description:
Explore Crealy Theme Park & Resort at night with Winter Twilight Fest, featuring rides in the dark and stunning winter light displays.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Winter-Fest Light Trail at Crealy
Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto
What to Expect:
Holiday lights and seasonal decor in a historic castle setting.
Description:
Powderham Castle transforms into a vibrant spectacle with its Christmas Illuminated Light Walk and Festive House Experience. The event features beautifully decorated rooms, live music performances, and a variety of food and beverage options from vendors on the grounds.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto
Bay of Lights illuminated trail
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations along a scenic waterfront route.
Description:
The Bay of Lights illuminated trail is a 1.5-mile route along Torquay's iconic waterfront, featuring 18 large light installations, including an LED light fountain, 3,000 colour-changing flowers, and a giant walk-through Christmas present. The trail starts at Abbey Park, winds through the Tunnel of Lights, and ends at the harbourside, offering stunning digital light shows and interactive fun.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Bay of Lights illuminated trail
Christmas Wonderland Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village
What to Expect:
Miniature Christmas lights and scenes in a model village setting.
Description:
Babbacombe Model Village presents a spectacular display of miniature lights and festive scenes, featuring intricate Christmas decorations and immersive indoor attractions.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Christmas Wonderland Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village
Clovelly Christmas Lights
What to Expect:
Local brass band procession and festive carols leading to the village and harbour lighting.
Description:
Clovelly Christmas Lights feature a local brass band procession, festive carols, hog roast, hot dogs, and Christmas grog. The event culminates with the lighting of the village and harbour, followed by fireworks.
Where: Clovelly | More Info: Clovelly Christmas Lights
Barnstaple Christmas lights switch-on and Fayre
What to Expect:
Community-driven festive light switch-on with local choir performance.
Description:
Join us in The Square, Barnstaple, for a night of community celebration as the town lights up with festive cheer. The local choir will perform at 5:30 PM, followed by the Christmas light switch-on at 6:00 PM. The event coincides with the Christmas Fayre, offering a range of activities including carol singing, late-night shopping, and visits to the Guildhall Grotto.
Where: Barnstaple | More Info: Barnstaple Christmas lights switch-on and Fayre
Barnstaple Holiday Markets and Shopping
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique pop-up opportunities in the Cloister Garden.
Description:
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market features over a hundred festive chalets offering local gifts, global street food, and seasonal entertainment, set against the backdrop of Exeter Cathedral's historic architecture.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Ilfracombe Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional market with local crafts and seasonal goods.
Description:
Ilfracombe Christmas Market is a vibrant event featuring local artisans, crafts, and seasonal goods. Enjoy the festive atmosphere and explore the variety of stalls offering unique gifts and treats.
Where: Ilfracombe | More Info: Ilfracombe Christmas Market
Brixham Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local crafts and live music.
Description:
Brixham Christmas Market is a vibrant event featuring local craft stalls, live music, and street entertainment. Visitors can browse through a variety of gifts and seasonal items while enjoying the lively atmosphere of Brixham Town Hall.
Where: Brixham | More Info: Brixham Christmas Market
Torre Abbey WinterFest Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handmade local items and alpaca meet-and-greets.
Description:
Torre Abbey's WinterFest Christmas Fair features handmade local items, including Christmas decorations, toys, and jewellery, along with the opportunity to meet alpacas and enjoy festive tunes and mulled wine.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Torre Abbey WinterFest Christmas Fair
Barnstaple Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Beauty and the Beast at Queens Theatre
What to Expect:
Classic tale with modern twists and musical numbers.
Description:
Beauty and the Beast at Queens Theatre is a vibrant pantomime featuring Belle, Gaston, and the enchanting Fairy, with show-stopping musical numbers and heartwarming moments for all ages.
Where: Barnstaple | More Info: Beauty and the Beast at Queens Theatre
Jack and the Beanstalk, Princess Theatre
What to Expect:
Lovable characters and spectacular special effects.
Description:
Join Jack, Dame Trott, and Clarabelle the Cow on an unforgettable adventure filled with live music, vibrant costumes, and stunning sets. This year's GIANT pantomime features a walking, talking Giant and promises thrills and laughter for the whole family.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Jack and the Beanstalk, Princess Theatre
Christmas at Woodlands
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas grotto with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
At Christmas at Woodlands, immerse yourself in a North Pole adventure with an interactive walkthrough through 10 festively themed rooms, meet Santa, and enjoy dazzling lights and magical friends.
Where: Dartmouth | More Info: Christmas at Woodlands
Barnstaple Other Holiday Activities
Lanterns, Lights and Luminations
What to Expect:
Lantern parade and firework display in a picturesque Devon town.
Description:
Lanterns, Lights and Luminations is a festive event in Brixham featuring a lantern parade, firework display, live music, street entertainment, and a street market.
Where: Brixham | More Info: Lanterns, Lights and Luminations
Zooluminate
What to Expect:
Interactive family activities at a zoo setting.
Description:
Join Paignton Zoo for a variety of exciting events, including the Whitley Blue Cider Launch, Jungle Cubs Member mornings, and Library Sessions with FREE storytelling and arts and crafts.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Zooluminate
Plymouth Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Real ice rink and Santa's Enchanted Forest Grotto.
Description:
Plymouth Winter Wonderland is a festive event in Central Park featuring a real ice rink, Santa's Enchanted Forest Grotto, live music, rides, and festive food stalls.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Plymouth Winter Wonderland
Combe Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional village festivities with local crafts and entertainment.
Description:
Combe Christmas Festival is a vibrant celebration featuring festive decorations, seasonal activities, and community events in the picturesque village of Combe.
Where: Ilfracombe | More Info: Combe Christmas Festival
Arlington Court Christmas craft fair
What to Expect:
Themed Victorian Christmas carols in each room.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Arlington Court with beautifully decorated rooms, festive family activities, and traditional Father Christmas visits. Enjoy wintery walks, carriage rides, and themed weekends with brass bands and choir performances.
Where: Barnstaple | More Info: Arlington Court Christmas craft fair
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