There are plenty of Christmas events to enjoy in the run-up to the festive season in East Devon. You can choose from markets, craft fairs, and events to watch the turning on of the Christmas lights.
As usual, do check organisers’ websites before heading out to avoid disappointment.
Christmas events in East Devon
1: Winter Market, Heron Farm: 3-4 December
2: Christmas Craft Fair, The Gateway Theatre, Seaton: 26 November
3: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market: 18 November – 18 December
4: Exmouth Festival: 3 December
5: Christmas Food Festival, Darts Farm: 12-13 November
6: Christmas Carol Service, Darts Farm: 14 December
7: Love Topsham Festive Events: from 25 November
8: Winter Wonderland, Exeter: 17 November – 2 January
9: Illuminated Garden Walk, Sidmouth: 9 – 18 December
10: The Polar Express, Seaton Tramway: 25 November – 24 December
11: Stories of Sanctuary Spirit, The Donkey Sanctuary: 2 November – 17 March
12: Present Makers 2022, Thelma Hulbert Gallery: 12 November – 24 December
13: Christmas at Bear Town: 2 – 24 December
1: Winter Market, Heron Farm: 3-4 December
Enjoy mulled wine while you meander around a host of local Devon makers curated by Fifi & Bear Markets and shop for your local seasonal gifts. 50% of the ticket sale will go towards Devon-based charity Balloon Charity.
2: Christmas Craft Fair, The Gateway Theatre, Seaton: 26 November
Wander around and find your Christmas gifts from stalls including wood turning, silver jewellery, candles, handmade chocolates, wreaths, plants, and much more. The cafe and bar will be open for festive drinks and treats.
3: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market: 18 November – 18 December
Head over to Devon’s biggest Christmas market and stroll around over 100 festive chalets full of hand-crafted gifts and West Country produce. Enjoy global street food and themed bars while listening to live seasonal entertainment. You can also get free entry to the cathedral.
Opening times:
10am-7pm Monday- Wednesday
10am-9pm Thursday-Saturday
11am-5pm Sunday
4: Exmouth Festival: 3 December
Come along and mingle among the walk-about performers, choirs and live music on The Strand as the Christmas Tree lights are switched on. Worldbeaters will perform Spark!, a street-theatre spectacle that weaves live music, movement, and light.
5: Christmas Food Festival: Darts Farm: 12-13 November
Enjoy a day of delicious festive tastings with Darts Farm’s in-house experts and local artisans. Discover the best Christmas treats and artisan gifts for your family and friends.
6: Christmas Carol Service, Darts Farm: 14 December
Come along and sing carols, enjoy mince pies and mulled apple juice while listening to the SW Comms Band. The Farm Shop will be open until 9pm and the Farm Table will have a festive menu. This is a free event with a collection for the Exeter Foodbank.
There are plenty of festive events in Topsham in the run-up to Christmas
7: Love Topsham Festive Events: from 25 November
Christmas Lights: 25 November, from 4.30pm
Enjoy food, carols and entertainment before the Big Switch On at 5pm.
Love Topsham Festive Market: 25 November: 5.00pm – 8.00pm
Head to St Margaret’s Church and wander around 30 artisan stalls from Topsham and beyond.
Topsham Traders’ Late Night Shopping: 29 November
The Topsham shops will be open until 9pm for you to stock up on unique Christmas gifts for your family and friends. There will be music and entertainment in the streets and the town’s pubs and restaurants are open too.
Children’s Festive Trail: 14 December: 3pm
Follow the trail of stars that starts at Matthews Hall and involves participating shops, cafes, and businesses throughout the town. Spot the stars and collect festive treats.
8: Winter Wonderland, Exeter: 17 November – 2 January
The Winter Wonderland is set to return this year to Exeter to the city centre’s Northern Hay Gardens. There will be new rides, a Santa’s Grotto and Naughty Elf Workshop, an ice rink, and a mini Christmas market. Adults can enjoy mulled wine, cider, and German beer at The Moose Lodge.
9: Illuminated Garden Walk, Sidmouth: 9 – 18 December
Enjoy an illuminated trail through Connaught Gardens, suitable for all the family. In the free undercover Christmas Food and Craft Village, you’ll be tempted by delicious food and drink and a variety of Christmas gift ideas from high-quality local makers.
Tickets for the Illuminations are limited so it’s best to book early.
Wander around the Connaught Gardens and enjoy a spectacular light display
10: The Polar Express, Seaton Tramway: 25 November – 24 December
Take a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Santa’s home at the North Pole in one of the specially decorated single-deck tramcars. You can get off at the North Pole, meet the elves in the workshop and discover whether you’ve been naughty or nice at the naughty detector. On the return journey join in the carol singing.
Tickets sell out quickly so book early to avoid disappointment.
11: Stories of Sanctuary Spirit, The Donkey Sanctuary: 2 November – 17 March
Discover the spirit of the sanctuary this winter with stories of sanctuary spirit. The Donkey Sanctuary sees the Spirit of the Sanctuary as love in action, sharing joy and peace, and being together. Follow the festive trail around the sanctuary and uncover each spirit word and its matching donkey in the merry poems. Trail quiz sheets are £5 each, including a reward on completion.
12: Present Makers 2022, Thelma Hulbert Gallery: 12 November – 24 December
Present Makers 2022 features original, hand-crafted gift ideas showcasing the talent and innovation of contemporary craftspeople and design makers in the South West. The theme this year is nature, whether this is using natural materials, colours inspired by nature, or sustainable making processes. There’s a spotlight on key jewellery and ceramics collections.
Opening times:
Wednesday to Saturday: 10am – 5pm
13: Christmas at Bear Town: 2 – 24 December
Alongside a festive two-hour play session, all visitors will be given their very own Christmas buzzer, which Father Christmas will magically activate when he is ready to meet you in his grotto, which means more play in our festive town and no queuing.
Once the buzzer activates, children will check in at Bear Town’s passport control, ready to find out who has been naughty, and who has been nice.
All children will take part in a creative sleigh ride adventure, arriving at the grotto. Children will then meet Father Christmas and receive a special present unique to Bear Town.
Don’t forget if you’re looking for food and drink ideas when you’re out and about head over to our Eat page where you’ll find plenty of options.
