Feel the warmth of the holidays in Paignton! Discover all the community events with our guide. For those who know Paignton's every corner and those just beginning to explore, our guide reveals seasonal secrets.
Popular Events: Begin your festive journey at the Plymouth Winter Wonderland, where a magical atmosphere awaits with enchanting rides and twinkling lights. Experience the charm of the Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, featuring handcrafted gifts and delectable treats amidst a stunning historical backdrop. And the Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on is something you definitely don't want to miss, as it transforms the heart of the city into a dazzling spectacle. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Paignton Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Paignton
- Plymouth Winter Wonderland (Plymouth)
- Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market (Exeter)
- Woodlands Leisure Park Christmas (Totnes)
- Seaton Tramway Polar Express (Seaton)
- Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on (Plymouth)
- RHS Glow 2024 (Great Torrington)
- Train of Lights, Dartmouth Steam Railway
- Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre (Exeter)
- Crealy Adventure Park Christmas (Exeter)
- Bay of Lights – Illumination Trail (Torquay)
See these and even more events listed below!
Paignton Holiday Light Displays
Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on
What to Expect:
Colourful light display with live music and family entertainment.
Description:
The Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on marks the beginning of the holiday season with a spectacular display of colourful lights in the city centre. The event features a programme of free, family-friendly entertainment, including singing, dance, and live music. Santa and special guests will join the Lord Mayor to switch on the lights, kicking off late-night shopping in the area.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Plymouth City Centre Christmas lights switch-on
Newton Abbot Christmas lights switch-on
What to Expect:
Spectacular lighting display in the heart of Newton Abbot.
Description:
The Newton Abbot Christmas lights switch-on event takes place at the Courtenay Centre on Kingsteignton Road, featuring the illumination of festive lights and decorations in the town.
Where: Newton Abbot | More Info: Newton Abbot Christmas lights switch-on
Train of Lights, Dartmouth Steam Railway
What to Expect:
Unique steam train experience with extensive light displays.
Description:
The Christmas Train of Lights at Dartmouth Steam Railway features a festive illuminated journey from Paignton to Kingswear, showcasing thousands of lights both inside and out. The train travels through the 450-metre Greenway tunnel to an enchanted forest, ending with a view of twinkling lights in Dartmouth reflected on the river Dart.
Where: Paignton | More Info: Train of Lights, Dartmouth Steam Railway
Bay of Lights – Illumination Trail
What to Expect:
Spectacular digital light shows and interactive installations along a 1.5-mile waterfront trail.
Description:
The Bay of Lights Illumination Trail is a 1.5-mile light installation along Torquay's iconic waterfront, featuring 18 large installations, digital light shows, and interactive elements. The trail starts at Abbey Park, winds through the Tunnel of Lights, and ends at the harbourside, offering a sensory extravaganza with sound elements until 9:30 PM and lighting displays until 11 PM.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Bay of Lights – Illumination Trail
RHS Glow 2024
What to Expect:
Vibrant light displays amidst formal and informal garden plantings.
Description:
RHS Glow 2024 at RHS Garden Rosemoor features a spectacular light show blending formal and informal plantings, creating a vibrant and colorful display in the Devon valley.
Where: Great Torrington | More Info: RHS Glow 2024
Paignton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas in Crediton
What to Expect:
Community-driven late-night shopping with local entertainment.
Description:
Christmas in Crediton features late-night shopping, live music, food, discounts, and special events in the town centre. The celebrations include a Christmas lights switch-on event with activities and entertainers in the Town Square.
Where: Crediton | More Info: Christmas in Crediton
Tavistock Dikensian Evening
What to Expect:
Traditional Victorian-themed shopping experience with live performances.
Description:
Tavistock Dickensian Evening is an annual late-night shopping event that transports you back in time with street entertainment, festive food, and craft stalls.
Where: Tavistock | More Info: Tavistock Dikensian Evening
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Devon's biggest Christmas market with unique hand-crafted gifts and local West Country produce.
Description:
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market features over a hundred twinkling festive chalets, local gifts and produce, bars, global street food, and seasonal entertainment. Explore the cathedral's amazing architecture and discover one thousand years of wonder.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre
What to Expect:
Unique gift ideas from local craftspeople.
Description:
The Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre offers over 250 stands with unique Christmas gift ideas, entertainers, demonstrators, and a free Santa’s Grotto. It’s a bustling event with talented local craftspeople and delicious festive treats, making it the best indoor festive shopping event in the South West.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre
Ilfracombe Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional crafts and local delicacies on display.
Description:
The Ilfracombe Christmas Market is a vibrant event featuring local artisans, delicious food, and unique gifts. Visitors can explore the charming stalls and soak up the festive atmosphere.
Where: Ilfracombe | More Info: Ilfracombe Christmas Market
Brixham Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local craft stalls and live music.
Description:
Brixham Christmas Market is a vibrant event featuring local craft stalls, live music, and street entertainment. Visitors can browse through the stalls to find unique gifts and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
Where: Brixham | More Info: Brixham Christmas Market
Pavilions Teignmouth - Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre
What to Expect:
Unique handmade crafts and gifts from local makers.
Description:
The Pavilions Teignmouth Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre features over 40 stalls showcasing local makers, crafters, and artists offering a variety of handmade items including glass, pottery, art, prints, cards, photography, jewellery, felting, knitting, and basketware.
Where: Teignmouth | More Info: Pavilions Teignmouth - Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre
Torre Abbey WinterFest Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Unique handmade local items and alpaca meet-and-greet.
Description:
Torre Abbey's WinterFest Christmas Fair features handmade local items, including Christmas decorations, toys, and jewellery, along with the chance to meet alpacas and enjoy festive tunes and mulled wine. The event also offers a 50% discount on house and gardens admissions and exclusive meet-and-greet sessions with Father and Mother Christmas.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Torre Abbey WinterFest Christmas Fair
Totnes Christmas Markets
What to Expect:
Family-friendly event with live music, street food, and local crafts.
Description:
The Totnes Christmas Markets offer a vibrant celebration of local artisans, street food, and festive entertainment. Visitors can browse over 70 artisan stalls, enjoy live music, and savor a variety of seasonal treats.
Where: Totnes | More Info: Totnes Christmas Markets
Paignton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Seaton Tramway Polar Express
What to Expect:
Unique festive tram ride experience with Santa and holiday treats.
Description:
Families can enjoy a festive tram ride to Santa's home at the North Pole, featuring hot chocolate, treats, and a visit with Santa. Each guest receives a Silver Sleigh Bell as their first gift of Christmas, and the return journey includes singing Christmas carols.
Where: Seaton | More Info: Seaton Tramway Polar Express
Crealy Adventure Park Christmas
What to Expect:
Live ice skating show with interactive surprises.
Description:
Crealy Adventure Park transforms into a vibrant celebration with a live Christmas on Ice Show, festive entertainment, and a meet-and-greet experience with Santa, including a free high-quality toy for every child.
Where: Exeter | More Info: Crealy Adventure Park Christmas
Carols in the Caves – Kents Cavern
What to Expect:
Holiday concert in an underground cave setting.
Description:
Join Yours in Harmony for a unique underground carols concert at Kents Cavern. Start seated in the Vestibule Chamber and hear the amazing acoustics of the choir. Then, take a walk around the magnificent cave system singing carols by candlelight. Finish with mulled wine, hot chocolate, and festive treats.
Where: Torquay | More Info: Carols in the Caves – Kents Cavern
Paignton Other Holiday Activities
Plymouth Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Undercover ice rink with hourly skating sessions and festive music.
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.
Where: Plymouth | More Info: Plymouth Winter Wonderland
Woodlands Leisure Park Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive Christmas grotto with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Woodlands Leisure Park Christmas offers a 10-room Santa grotto, reindeer food making, and a sweet treat, along with access to Devon's biggest indoor soft play area and thrilling indoor and outdoor attractions.
Where: Totnes | More Info: Woodlands Leisure Park Christmas
Paignton Zoo Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive zoo activities with Santa and festive entertainment.
Description:
Paignton Zoo Christmas features Santa's grotto, storytelling sessions, live music, and family-friendly activities like decorating the zoo's Christmas tree and creating eco-friendly reindeer food.