Create your festive itinerary in Exmouth with our guide. Discover all the best holiday events and activities. Whether you're a familiar face in Exmouth or seeing it fresh, our guide is your key to holiday cheer.
One of the highlights of the season is the stunning **Plymouth Winter Wonderland**, featuring an enchanting array of lights, ice skating, and festive stalls. You can also explore the magical atmosphere at **Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto**, where visitors are welcomed into a whimsical world adorned with twinkling illuminations and a visit with Santa himself. And definitely don't forget **The Christmas Train of Lights**, which promises a delightful journey through a wonderland of sparkling displays. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Exmouth
- The Christmas Train of Lights (Paignton)
- Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto (Kenton)
- Plymouth Winter Wonderland (Plymouth)
- Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Market (Exeter)
- Christmas at Crealy (Exeter)
- The Polar Express Tram Ride from Seaton Tramway (Seaton)
- Elf The Musical at Barnfield Theatre (Exeter)
- Nativity and Father Christmas at Pennywell Farm (Buckfastleigh)
- World of Country Life Victorian Christmas
- Santa's Enchanted Grotto at Central Park (Plymouth)
See these and even more events listed below!
Exmouth Holiday Light Displays
Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto
What to Expect:
Inclusive BSL Santa grotto experience.
Description:
Powderham Castle transforms into a vibrant winter spectacle with its Christmas Lights and Grotto. The historic grounds are adorned with a mile-long light trail, featuring festive decorations and seasonal delights. Visitors can explore the castle, enjoy local food and drink, and meet Santa in the BSL grotto, ensuring inclusivity for all.
Where: Kenton | More Info: Powderham Castle – Christmas Lights and Grotto
Babbacombe Model Village Christmas
What to Expect:
Miniature Christmas celebration with extensive illuminations and quirky model scenes.
Description:
Babbacombe Model Village Christmas features festive scenes, illuminations, and unique miniature models, including the Mythical Kingdom, with plenty of fun activities like Crazy Golf.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Babbacombe Model Village Christmas
The Christmas Train of Lights
What to Expect:
Unique steam train experience with thousands of lights and new feature displays.
Description:
Embark on a spectacular journey through illuminated landscapes and historic tunnels aboard the multi-award-winning Christmas Train of Lights. Decorated with thousands of lights, the vintage carriages await you at Queen's Park Station, Paignton. The journey takes you through the 450-metre Greenway tunnel to an enchanted forest, ending with a stunning display of twinkling lights in Dartmouth.
Where: Paignton | More Info: The Christmas Train of Lights
Winter-Fest Light Trail at Crealy
What to Expect:
Thrilling rides and festive light displays in the dark.
Description:
Explore Crealy Theme Park & Resort under the stars with Winter Twilight Fest. Enjoy thrilling rides in the dark and marvel at the park's festive illuminations, including a magical light tunnel.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Winter-Fest Light Trail at Crealy
Exmouth Holiday Markets and Shopping
Torre Abbey Christmas Gift and Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Handmade local items and alpaca meet-and-greet.
Description:
Torre Abbey's Christmas Gift and Craft Fair offers a unique array of handmade local items, including Christmas decorations, toys, jewellery, knitted and crochet gifts, craft kits, and wooden objects. Meet alpacas from a local farm and enjoy festive tunes, decorations, and mulled wine.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Torre Abbey Christmas Gift and Craft Fair
Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique pop-up opportunities in the Cloister Garden.
Description:
Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Market features over a hundred twinkling festive chalets, local gifts and produce, bars, global street food, and seasonal entertainment.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Exeter Cathedral's Christmas Market
Exmouth Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express Tram Ride from Seaton Tramway
What to Expect:
Unique tram ride experience with Santa and festive treats.
Description:
Embark on a festive journey with The Polar Express Tram Ride from Seaton Tramway, where families enjoy a decorated tram ride to Santa's home at the North Pole. Each passenger receives a hot chocolate, a cookie, and a Silver Sleigh Bell from Santa. The return journey features singing Christmas carols.
Where: Seaton | More Info: The Polar Express Tram Ride from Seaton Tramway
Nativity and Father Christmas at Pennywell Farm
What to Expect:
Interactive live Nativity scene with animal encounters.
Description:
At Pennywell Farm, immerse yourself in a Christmas celebration featuring a live Nativity scene, festive treats, and a visit to Father Christmas. Journey through Bethlehem, enjoy animal encounters, and collect stamps in your Christmas passport.
Where: Buckfastleigh | More Info: Nativity and Father Christmas at Pennywell Farm
Christmas at Crealy
What to Expect:
Exclusive meet and greet with Santa and a high-quality toy for every child.
Description:
Christmas at Crealy features a live Christmas on ice show, festive shows, and entertainment, including a meet and greet with Santa in his grotto, where children can choose a high-quality toy from Santa's Magical Toy Shop.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Christmas at Crealy
The Elf Who Lost Christmas at The Soapbox Children’s Theatre
What to Expect:
Interactive storytelling with music and movement.
Description:
The Elf Who Lost Christmas at The Soapbox Children’s Theatre is an engaging theatrical production designed for families, featuring a charming story with music, movement, and storytelling that creates an immersive experience for young audience members.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: The Elf Who Lost Christmas at The Soapbox Children’s Theatre
Elf The Musical at Barnfield Theatre
What to Expect:
Heartwarming story of self-discovery and family.
Description:
Elf The Musical at Barnfield Theatre tells the story of Buddy, a young orphan who crawls into Santa's bag and is transported to the North Pole. Raised as an elf, Buddy discovers he is human and returns to New York City to find his birth father and help people rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Elf The Musical at Barnfield Theatre
Exmouth Other Holiday Activities
Plymouth Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Undercover ice rink with hourly skating sessions.
Description:
Plymouth Winter Wonderland is a festive event in Central Park featuring a real ice rink, Santa's Enchanted Forest Grotto, live music, festive food stalls, and a Christmas bar. It offers a variety of activities for all ages, including skating aids for children and a selection of children's rides.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Plymouth Winter Wonderland
Santa's Enchanted Grotto at Central Park
What to Expect:
Meet Father Christmas with a special gift and professional photo opportunities.
Description:
Meet Father Christmas at Santa's Enchanted Grotto in Central Park, Plymouth. Enjoy a special Christmas gift and professional photos that can be turned into keepsakes, including snow globes, baubles, keyrings, and jumbo fridge magnets.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Santa's Enchanted Grotto at Central Park
Sail with Santa and Stuart Line Cruises
What to Expect:
Handpicked gifts for children in a festive river cruise setting.
Description:
Join Stuart Line Cruises for a festive Christmas celebration on the River Exe. Meet Santa in his custom-built grotto, enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, and participate in fun activities like Punch and Judy shows and balloon modeling.
Where: Exmouth | More Info: Sail with Santa and Stuart Line Cruises
World of Country Life Victorian Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive animal exhibits and vintage vehicle collection.
Description:
World of Country Life offers a Victorian Christmas celebration with museums, vintage vehicles, and interactive animal exhibits, set amidst the picturesque Jurassic Coast.
Where: Exmouth | More Info: World of Country Life Victorian Christmas
Christmas at Woolley Animals
What to Expect:
Meet Santa amidst adorable farm animals.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Woolley Animals with festive markets and the chance to meet Santa, surrounded by adorable farm animals.
Where: North Devon | More Info: Christmas at Woolley Animals
Festive Afternoon Tea at Boringdon Hall
What to Expect:
Family-friendly festive afternoon tea with Santa.
Description:
Indulge in a delightful afternoon tea experience at Boringdon Hall, complete with a visit from Santa Claus and delightful festive activities.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Festive Afternoon Tea at Boringdon Hall
The Milky Way Adventure Park Christmas
What to Expect:
Meet Santa and his elves in a festive forest setting.
Description:
At The Milky Way Adventure Park, immerse yourself in a snowy forest journey to Buzzlewicks Elf Emporium, where you'll meet Buzzlewick the Elf and friends. Enjoy gingerbread decorating, write letters to Santa, and make reindeer food. Visit Santa's cozy Christmas Cottage for a special festive gift. Explore the garland festooned train station with festive music and a giant Christmas tree, and enjoy a themed show created by Merlin.
Where: North Devon | More Info: The Milky Way Adventure Park Christmas
Santa's Grotto at Darts Farm
What to Expect:
Personalized visit with Santa and a special goodie bag.
Description:
Meet Santa and his elf at Darts Farm's grotto, where you can take festive photos and receive a special Christmas goodie bag. Enjoy hot chocolate and mulled apple juice while writing a letter to the North Pole or doing some Christmas colouring.
Where: Topsham | More Info: Santa's Grotto at Darts Farm
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Heavitree (8 miles)
- Exeter (9 miles)
- Newton Abbot (11 miles)
- Torquay (12 miles)
- Paignton (15 miles)
- Taunton (30 miles)
- Plymstock (35 miles)
- Plymouth (37 miles)
- Bridgwater (39 miles)
- Yeovil (40 miles)
- Weymouth (41 miles)
- Barnstaple (43 miles)
- Bideford (45 miles)