Christmas in Plymouth…!

It’s our favourite time of year and we are excited to see a new line up of events in Britain’ Ocean City.

Last week saw the city lit for the festivities with the city centre and Drake Circus Christmas light switch on. Late night shopping has begun and the mood is full of festive merriment as Plymouth gears up for its best Christmas line up yet! Here are our highlights…

This week the sparkle continues as we celebrate Thanksgiving on Thursday (22nd November) with the Illuminate Light Festival at the Royal William Yard.

Last year was incredible, a light festival unlike anything the city has seen before. Linked with the values of Mayflower 400; freedom, humanity, imagination, and future, this year will see stunning projections, light art installations (check out their Instagram feed for lots of info on the artists @Illuminate_light_festival) workshops, food and entertainment. Full details can be found on their website, just click here and it is top of our MUST DO list for 2018!

Photo credit – Dom Moore Photography

Drake Circus has so much to offer this Christmas, Father Christmas is already in residence and has started meeting the hundreds of children that will line up to greet him before his work begins on Christmas Eve!

It doesn’t stop with the big man though, there are evenings where local choirs are performing, family workshops to keep the children entertained including a special Christmas Garland workshop on 15th December with local artist Freya Momomoses and their annual Christmas Jumper day for their four selected charities on 8th December. All of this under one roof with over 80 favourite high street stores, and then of course there’s the snow each day from 4pm on Cornwall Street – what more could you need? A bed for the night I hear you say? If travelling to Plymouth then contact our team to give yourself a treat and rest those aching feet. Click here to visit their website.

UnTamed Theatre present their popular street theatre adaptation of this festive classic. Expect ghosts, laughter, good cheer and a small dose of audience participation! 45 minutes of interactive family fun with a twist. For this unique event check out their ticket page for full details.

We have a new guest joining us this week, he’ll take a few days to settle into his new home before the latest family event hits the Waterfront this Sunday (25th November).

This new trail encourages families to find 20 cubs located across businesses within the Waterfront area and complete a trail card to win great prizes. We will be sharing more with you over the coming weeks as our cub settles in to Duke Life!

Every year some of our team and their families mooch down to the Barbican, enjoy lunch or a hot chocolate followed by the afternoon festivities.

This year there’s Christmas biscuit decorating with CaterED and Christmas Balloon making at the Tourist Information Centre from 2pm. And for the first time you’ll be able to meet the Grinch! With music, Princesses and entertainment from 3pm there is so much to do ahead of a very special guest arriving via the RNLI lifeboat at 4.30pm. Definitely fun for all of the family! Click here to visit their website.

Many thanks to the team at One Plymouth for the images.

This market gives you the chance to purchase some individual and unique gifts from local supplier’s right in the heart of Plymouth. With over 50 log cabins, some delicious treats and live music every day the atmosphere is sure to get you in the festive spirit. And there’s the addition of a bauble arch which will give you the chance to get some lovely festive family pics! Our team have bought beautiful chocolate treats, delicious local fudge, indulged in some great gin tastings and a rather good selection of real ales! All traders and live music events are listed on their website here.

Photo credit: John Allen Photography

This award winning market will be homed in the Yard’s historic Melville Building. With traders located inside and out you can look forward to some top South West produce all in the calming surroundings of the Royal William Yard. Click here for further details.

Photo credit for the Good Food Market and Native Makers – Dom Moore Photography

This was one of our top places to pick up some truly stunning presents last year! Hosted by Ocean Studios and with over 60 local, emerging makers this hive of activity from truly talented, creative people is not to be missed. With fun and free activities from the Native Cubs Crafts we’d recommend popping in! And on the Sunday you get the added treat of the Festive Good Food Market above, bonus! Click here for more…

We very much loved the Nutcrackers, but they have stepped asides to make way for the LEGO brick Penguins. 19 life size Rockhoppers and one very impressive Emperor penguin will be hidden in shops and businesses across the city centre, each with a penguin name to collect. You just need to follow the trail map to find the names of all 20 LEGO brick penguins and you could win fantastic prizes, including a weekend family trip to LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort, courtesy of Plymouth Citycoach, or a Penguin Feeding Experience at Living Coasts for four people!

The Penguin Trail leaflets will be available from participating retailers, or to download click here.

With festive family workshops in the new look market, the Santa Fun Run on the 9th December, fabulous shows at the Barbican Theatre, Christmas Fairs all around the city and so much more on offer, Plymouth is the place to be this Christmas!

If you’d like to make a weekend of it in Britain’s Ocean City we have 72 beautiful bedrooms that would put the icing on the Christmas cake, so to speak! From standard doubles to luxury four posters why not treat yourself as you indulge is the festivities in Plymouth this Christmas. Call our team on 01752 275850 or click here for our Stay section.

Wishing you a wonderful festive season!