Plymouth celebrates the festive season with Christmas events across the city
Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, is celebrating the onset of the festive season with the return of the Christmas markets to the city centre and Royal William Yard as well as family-friendly attractions and events from Santa’s Grotto to the Snow Globe. The city is also home to the largest shopping area in the South West, perfect for a Christmas shopping jaunt.
This year’s Christmas Festival programme is set to be bigger and better than ever and here are just a few of the festive activities on offer in Plymouth this Christmas:
Santa’s Grotto: Until Wednesday 24th December
Visit Santa as he takes a break from his busy schedule at this time of year to meet children in Plymouth. Until 3pm on Christmas Eve, Santa and his elves can be found in the Armada gardens outside BHS. Children of all ages are welcome to visit Santa to tell him what they would like him to bring them this Christmas. All children visiting the grotto will receive a small gift with the option to have their picture taken.
Snow Globe: Until Wednesday 24th December
Back by popular demand is the snow globe! Visitors can climb inside and have their photo taken in their own magical snowy scene. Entrance for up to four people is £10 which includes one free photo, additional photos and additional merchandise is available to purchase. The snow globe can be found at the Place de Brest in Plymouth’s city centre.
Plymouth Christmas Market: Until Sunday 14th December
Experience a truly traditional Christmas by visiting the city’s Christmas market featuring unique gift ideas, festive treats and mulled wine. The trading hours will be 10am to 5pm daily, closing at 4.30pm on Sundays and open until 9pm on Thursdays. Visitors are invited to wander through the stalls which will line the route from the Big Screen on the Piazza to the glass bubble Christmas tree in the Place de Brest garden, where they will find a range of present ideas including homemade jewellery, handmade Christmas decorations and festive novelties. Stalls will be selling mouth-watering dishes from all over Europe including German sausages, a range of Polish stews, grilled gammon joints and bacon-fried potatoes. An array of eastern European sweet cakes and Baklavas will also be on offer to fuel late-night shopping sprees. Of course the traditional British favourites will be available as well including warm mulled wine and roasted chestnuts which can be enjoyed by shoppers as they listen to carol singers.
Thanksgiving and Christmas on the Harbour: Thursday 27th November
The Barbican and Sutton Harbour will be hosting a Thanksgiving service followed by a traditional outdoor carol service marking Christmas in the harbour on Thursday 27th November. Celebrating Plymouth’s links with the USA as the countdown to the Mayflower400 celebrations in 2020 begins, the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership and Lord Mayor’s Parlour will be marking Thanksgiving with a special wreath-laying ceremony led by the Lord Mayor at the historic Mayflower Steps at 5.30pm.
Following the Thanksgiving ceremony, the Barbican and Sutton Harbour Christmas Celebrations will begin on the Barbican Parade where a large Mayflower-themed Christmas tree will provide the city’s main festive focal feature. Starting at 6pm, people are invited to gather around the tree for an evening of entertainment. The Barbican’s Christmas lights will be switched on just after 6pm followed by carol singing, readings, poems and a visit from Santa himself.
Royal William Yard Winter Evening Market: Wednesday 17th December
Royal William Yard will host a midweek market on 17th December. Craft stalls offering a range of decorations for the special day (including handmade wreaths, table decorations and much more) will be joined by festive food stalls selling personalised cakes, chutneys, truckles of Westcountry cheese, fresh geese, ducks, chickens and of course turkeys. The Winter Evening Market is perfect for stocking up on last minute goodies, stocking fillers, secret Santa presents, or just quality chutney to serve to the family on Christmas day.
Children’s Nativity: Wednesday 17th December to Saturday 20th December
From 17th to 20th December children from local primary schools and church groups in the Plymouth area will be bringing their nativity plays in to the city centre. Watch them perform each afternoon under the Big Screen on the Piazza.
For a festive break in Britain’s Ocean City head to Plymouth this winter to enjoy the city’s Christmas Festival programme for all the family. As Stefan Krause, Plymouth City Council’s City Centre Manager, said, ‘Plymouth is a fantastic city that loves Christmas. There is so much going on, you must come and see for yourself!’
For more information on festive events in Plymouth visit:
visitplymouth.co.uk/events