Exeter Christmas Events

Enjoy Exeter this Christmas!

Exeter is buzzing with excitement in the lead up to Christmas! Whether you are coming into the city to shop, eat or see a show (or all three!), this is the place to be.

Celebrate the arrival of the festive season with late night Christmas shopping in Exeter. 

Late night shopping dates are Thursday 24th Nov and the 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd of December, most shops are open until 9pm.  Travel into Exeter by the Honiton Road P&R which operates until 10pm on the Thursday late night shopping dates.

The list below gives just some of the main events taking place in Exeter this Christmas. It cannot be a complete list but we have squeezed in as many as we can with pantomimes and children’s shows galore and much more besides.

For a full listing of events during Christmas please visit www.heartofdevon.com/christmas

Until 24 Dec - Santa’s Christmas Grotto at Guildhall Shopping Centre

28 Nov - 3 Dec - Cinderella - Traditional panto with TV stars Ulric Browne and Tom Hudson at the Barnfield Theatre. 01392 270891

30 Nov - 3 Dec, 7.30pm - Blackbird - Winner of the 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Play. Exeter Northcott Theatre. 01392 493493

1 Dec 9am - 2pm - Exeter Farmers Market, South Street / Fore Street

1 Dec 9am - 9pm - Christmas Gift Market, Locally made unique gifts, including jewellery, clocks, silks and more at Castle Street/High Street

1 Dec 6.30pm – 10pm - Christmas Glitz at Gloss, opening and first viewing of our Christmas Print Show, the evening will include taster spa and beauty treatments, a fashion show by Coco Boutique and Venus. Gloss Gallery. 01392 278522

1 Dec until 9pm - Exeter Late night Christmas shopping, Music and entertainment throughout the city centre.  Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue band will be playing at the Guildhall Shopping Centre.  Heart  Exeter will be in Princesshay handing out mince pies and Christmas treats plus shoppers will have the chance to win shopping and dining vouchers from Princesshay. Live musical entertainment will also entertain visitors as they hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts.

1 - 2 Dec - Two Short Nights Film Festival, some of the most exciting and diverse short films from the UK and around the world.
Exeter Phoenix. 01392 66080

1 - 10 Dec and 4 - 7 Jan, 2pm & 7.30pm - My Very Own Story, a delightful family play by Alan Ayckbourn. New Theatre, Friar’s Gate. 01392 277189

2 Dec 1pm - Axminster Carpets Raceday, Exeter Racecourse

2 Dec, 9am - 5pm, Christmas Produce Market, Honey, cakes, beer, cheese and more, Castle Street/High Street

2 & 3 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Gift Markets, Clothing, leather goods, glassware, rugs, toys, soaps, candles plus many more gift ideas. Fore Street/South Street.

3 Dec, 10.30am & 11am - Devon County Junior Choir, Live festive performance. Princesshay Square

3 Dec, 10am - 2pm - Gilbert & Sullivan, University of Exeter performance. Bedford Street, Princesshay

3 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Craft Market, High quality crafts from local crafters at Castle Street/High Street

3 Dec, 3pm - Exeter Chiefs v Worcester Warriors, Sandy Park

3 Dec, 3pm - Cathedral Christingle Service, Exeter Cathedral

3 Dec, 10am - 4pm - Mix it with the Spyce Girls, An entertaining day with historical sweet and spicy treats. St Nicholas Priory. The Mint (off Fore Street). 01392 265858

3 Dec, 7.30pm - Show of Hands in concert, 2010 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards double winners perform in Exeter. Great Hall, University of Exeter. 01392 263518

3 - 4 Dec, Sat 9am - 6pm and Sun 9am - 5pm - South West Christmas Equine Fair, Indoor arena and dedicated shopping village
Westpoint Arena

4 Dec, 10am - Santa Fun Run, In aid of Lord Mayor’s charity. From High Street throughout the city centre. 01392 436383

4 Dec, 3pm & 7pm - Razzamatazz Christmas, Enjoy pantomime and Christmas fun proudly presented by the highly acclaimed Theatre School. Exeter Barnfield Theatre. 01392 270891

4 Dec, 5pm - Hospiscare Tree of Lights Service, Exeter Cathedral

7 Dec, 7.30pm - Exeter Choral Society Concert – Haydn’s “Creation”, Haydn’s Creation (parts 1 and 2) under the direction of conductor Laurence Blyth, accompanied by David Davies at the organ, together with professional soloists. St James’ Church.

7 Dec. 7.30pm - National Trust Concert, Exeter Cathedral

7 - 10 Dec, 7.30pm - Touched, Set in innercity Britain in times of the recession, Exeter Bike Shed Theatre. 01392 667080

7 - 29 Dec - The Princess & the Goblin, family winter show based on George MacDonald’s celebrated 1872 fairy tale. Suitable for ages 5 and upwards. Exeter Phoenix. 01392 667080

8 Dec, 9am - 2pm - Exeter Farmers Market, South Street / Fore Street,

8 Dec, 9am - 9pm - Christmas Gift Market, Locally made unique gifts, including jewellery, clocks, silks and more. Castle Street/High Street

8 Dec, 5pm - 9pm - Unique Boutique, Indoor Market, shop for quirky and unusual Christmas gifts.  Find a bargain and support local artists. Exeter Phoenix. 01392 667080

8 Dec, until 9pm - Exeter Late night Christmas shopping, Music and entertainment throughout the city centre. Exeter City Railway Band will be playing at the Guildhall Shopping Centre.  Heart  Exeter will be in Princesshay handing out mince pies and Christmas treats plus shoppers will have the chance to win shopping and dining vouchers from Princesshay. Live musical entertainment will also entertain visitors as they hunt for the perfect Christmas gifts.

8 Dec - 1 Jan - We’re going on a bear hunt, delightful show for small children. Exeter Northcott Theatre. 01392 493493

9 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Produce Market, Honey, cakes, beer, cheese and more, Castle Street/High Street

9 Dec, 8.30pm - T Resxtasy, Exeter Corn Exchange. 01392 665938

9 & 10 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Gift Markets, Clothing, leather goods, glassware, rugs, toys, soaps, candles plus many more gift ideas. Fore Street/South Street

10 Dec - Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary, Come and meet some of the rescued donkeys from Sidmouth. Princesshay Square

10 Dec, 9am – 5pm - Christmas Craft Market, High quality crafts from local crafters, Castle Street/High Street

10 Dec, 11am - 4pm - Unique Boutique, Indoor Market, shop for quirky and unusual Christmas gifts.  Find a bargain and support local artists. Exeter Phoenix. 01392 667080

10 Dec, 8.30pm - Dreadzone, Exeter Phoenix. 01392 667080

10 Dec, 7.30pm - Exeter Festival Chorus “Carol Sing”, Exeter Festival Chorus presents a feast of Christmas music with its traditional festive concert. The Mint Methodist Church.

10 Dec, 8pm - 1am - K & Q’s Christmas Crackers, A rockin’ Burlesque and Boogie show! Exeter Corn Exchange. 01392 665938

10 Dec – 18 Feb, Tues - Sat, 10am - 5pm - Blast Theory, This exhibition delves into Blast Thory’s archives to reveal details of works never before presented in a gallery environment. Spacex. 01392 431786

11 Dec, 5.45pm - Exeter Chiefs v Dragons, Sandy Park

12 Dec, 7pm - Seth Lakeman in concert, Seth will be playing tracks from his previous studio albums plus some brand new songs from his next album, The Lemon Grove, University of Exeter. 08712 200260

12 Dec, 7.30pm - Théâtre de Décadence, Burlesque and variety Christmas show, 14+. Exeter Northcott Theatre. 01392 493493

12 - 31 Dec, 10.30am-5.30pm - Christmas skating rink, Dance on synthetic ice. Princesshay Square

12 - 15 Dec, 8.30pm - Exeter Comedy Club Christmas Specials, Four nights, four different line ups. Book early, 16+. Exeter Corn Exchange.  01392 665938

12 - 16 Dec, 7.30pm - After Dark, One Woman’s journey of transformation from a late night café to the son she left behind. Exeter Bike Shed Theatre. 01392 667080

14 Dec, 7.30pm - A Victorian Christmas, The fully costumed show includes carols and songs, tunes, stories and a traditional mummer's play, Exeter Barnfield Theatre. 01392 270891

14 - 15 Dec, 7.30pm - Carols in the Cathedral, A traditional evening of Christmas Carols with the highly regarded Exeter Philharmonic Choir. Exeter Cathedral. 01392 667080

15 Dec, 12.50pm - Festive Fun & Christmas Cheer Racing, Exeter Racecourse

15 Dec, 9am - 9pm - Christmas Gift Market, Locally made unique gifts, including jewellery, clocks, silks and more. Castle Street/High Street

15 Dec, 9am - 2pm - Exeter Farmers Market, South Street / Fore Street

15 Dec, 5pm - 9pm - Unique Boutique, Indoor Market, shop for quirky and unusual Christmas gifts.  Find a bargain and support local artists. Exeter Phoenix. 01392 667080

15 Dec, until 9pm - Exeter Late night Christmas shopping, Music and entertainment throughout the city centre.  Exeter City Railway Band will be playing at the Guildhall Shopping Centre.  Heart Exeter, Exeter Musical Society and  Lympstone SW Telecoms Brass Band will all be in Princesshay to celebrate late night shopping.

15 Dec, 10am - 5pm - Royal Albert Memorial Museum reopening, The stunning new displays tell the story of Devon and Exeter from prehistory to the present and showcase the collections and collectors that have helped RAMM to become one of Britain’s finest regional museums. Queen Street.  01392 665858

15 Dec - 11 Mar - Into the Light Exhibition - French & Brirtish paintings from impressionism to the 1920’s, this exhibition brings together some of the most significant names working on either side of the Channel including Clausen, Monet, Pissarro, Renoir, Sickert, Sisley, Stanhope Forbes and Whistler. Royal Albert Memorial Museum. 01392 265858

15 Dec - 1 Apr - Roger Fenton and Julia Margaret Cameron – Early British photographs from the Royal Collection
Photographs by two of Britain’s most accomplished photographers of the nineteenth century. Royal Albert Memoriam Museum. 01392 265858

15 Dec - 6 May - Road to Rome – Artists and travelers on the Grand Tour, explore the history of the eighteenth century Grand Tour from a personal, regional and national perspective within a single exhibition. Royal Albert Memorial Museum. 01392 265858

16 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Produce Market, Honey, cakes, beer, cheese and more, Castle Street/High Street

16 & 17 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Gift Markets, Clothing, leather goods, glassware, rugs, toys, soaps, candles plus many more gift ideas. Fore Street/South Street

16 Dec, 7.30pm - Acker Bilk & his Paramount Jazz Band, Melodies from the master. Exeter Northcott Theatre. 01392 493493

17 Dec, 9am – 5pm - Christmas Craft Market, High quality crafts from local crafters, Castle Street/High Street

17 Dec, 3pm - Exeter City v Scunthorpe, Exeter City Football, St James’ Park

17 Dec, 7.30pm - Christmas with the Cathedral Choir, Angelic voices singing carols. Exeter Cathedral. 01392 271354

17 - 18 Dec, 10am - 3pm - Hug a Husky Weekend, Meet the friendly Westcountry Sled Dog team. Guildhall Shopping Centre.

17 Dec - 8 Jan - Dick Whittington, Classic pantomime performance with Blue Peter’s Peter Duncan and Steve Bennett as dame. Exeter Corn Exchange. 01392 665938

18 Dec, 3.30pm - Exeter Nativity, Follow Mary and Joseph on the most famous journey in history! Princesshay Square.

19 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Gift Market, Locally made unique gifts, including jewellery, clocks, silks and more. Castle Street/High Street.

19 Dec, 7.30pm - Exeter Festival Chorus Handel “Messiah” with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, a Christmas performance of Handel’s masterpiece. Exeter Cathedral.

20 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Produce Market, Honey, cakes, beer, cheese and more, Castle Street/High Street.

20 & 22 Dec, 1pm - Lunchtime Carols for City Workers, join in some traditional Christmas Carol signing. Exeter Cathedral.

21 Dec, 9am - 5pm - Christmas Craft Market, High quality crafts from local crafters, Castle Street/High Street.

21 Dec - 7 Jan, 2pm & 7.30pm - A Christmas Carol: Smoke & Mirrors, with stunning Victorian special effects. Age 10+, The Bike Shed Theatre. 01392 667080

22 Dec, 9am - 3pm - Exeter Christmas Farmers’ Market, Quality local produce for the festive season. Corner of South St and Fore St.

22 Dec, until 9pm - Exeter Late night Christmas shopping, Music and entertainment throughout the city centre.  Devon & Somerset Fire Rescue band will be playing at the Guildhall Shopping Centre.  Heart Exeter, the Big Noise Choir and the Lympstone SW Telecoms Brass Band will all be performing in Princesshay.

23 Dec - 7 Jan - Jack and the Beanstalk, Join Jack, Simple Simon and Dame Trot on a thrilling adventure to save Princess Jill and Daisy the Cow. Exeter Barnfield Theatre. 01392 270891

24 Dec - Crib service for children - 12 noon, a service of lessons and carols - 6pm, Exeter Cathedral

25 Dec - Holy communion - 8am, Sung Sucharist - 9.45am, Choral Mattins - 11.30am, Choral evensong with carols from the minstrels gallery - 4pm, Exeter Cathedral

26 Dec - Solem Eucharist - 11am, Exeter Cathedral

31 Dec, 3.45pm - Exeter Chiefs v Harlequins, Sandy Park

31 Dec, 8pm – 4am - The New Year’s Eve Party. The best way to see in the New Year in the city. This established multi-room event is the biggest and best party in town! Exeter Phoenix.

1 Jan, 12.40pm - New Years Day Racing, Exeter Racecourse

2 Jan, 3pm - Exeter City V Yeovil Town, St James’ Park

For a full listing of events during Christmas please visit www.heartofdevon.com/christmas