What’s On In Plymouth This Holiday Season

The restrictions of Covid-19 have meant a lot of events have been cancelled this year, therefore, we have compiled some ideas to keep everyone entertained this Christmas time!

The majority of events this Christmas have been cancelled, however; some have adapted their events to make them ‘covid-secure’. Santa’s grottos have been cancelled but some are doing socially distanced alternatives.

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh

Starting off with a positive – a very popular Christmas event for kids; ‘The Perfect Christmas Experience’ at Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh is going ahead this year! This beloved experience promises 2.5 hours of festive animal fun with its own Nativity and Father Christmas. This is the perfect Christmas experience for the family – but make sure to book your tickets soon as it is very popular. To book head to www.pennywellfarm.co.uk

Pennywell Farm Piglets

Endsleigh Garden Centre

Another place to see Father Christmas this year is at Endsleigh Garden Centre. Endsleigh is doing a virtual zoom call with Father Christmas himself. They are also planning ‘Breakfast with Santa’ this year where you can book a socially distanced table for breakfast with your family whilst Santa reads stories and talks to the children over a speaker system.

Powderham Castle, Exeter

A little bit further out towards Exeter, Powderham Castle is running their light trail this year, complete with its own grotto! They are also offering a pop-up restaurant with socially distanced tables. Booking is essential for both events. What better way to spend a winters day than at a 600-year-old castle!

Plymouth Christmas Market

Our much-loved annual Christmas market will look a lot smaller this month with only the food stands able to trade. So, fear not, you can still grab your roast dinner wrap and Churros!

Plymouth Boat Trips, Plymouth

Plymouth Boat Trips are holding ‘Santa’s Christmas Party Cruise’ where you can share all of the festive cheer, socially distanced on a boat! This fun family cruise includes a glass of mulled wine and a mince pie for the adults, and a soft drink and small gift for each child. With Christmas music and face painting, there is a fantastic Christmas spirit aboard this boat.

The House of Marbles, Newton Abbot

The House of Marbles has their very own Christmas post box where you can write a letter to Santa and post it in the red post box. They will also give you a Christmas goody bag when you post the letter!

Saltash Window Wanderland 2020

Unfortunately, the annual Saltash festival and lantern parade cannot go ahead this year however, they have reinvented it to bring you ‘Saltash Window Wanderland’. Windows from shops and houses will all be individually decorated with festive scenes and colourful lights. Put on your hat, scarf and gloves and take a stroll around Saltash, gazing at your neighbours’ beautiful window displays.

Theatre Royal Plymouth

There is nothing that quite spells out Christmas like a pantomime at your local theatre. Theatre Royal Plymouth has revealed that they will be showing the performance of Robinson Crusoe this December, with socially distanced seating of course. ‘OH YES IT IS!’.

Stiltskin Soapbox Children’s Theatre, Devonport Park, Plymouth

A promenade production of ‘Quest For The Ice Dragon’ will be going ahead at the Stiltskin Soapbox Children’s Theatre. Join Stiltskin on an enchanted adventure in search of the Ice Dragon. Grab your wellies, hat, scarf and gloves and follow the magical journey! With mulled wine, hot chocolate and tradition mince pies and gingerbread, what’s not to love about this festive experience.

Wonder Nights, Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park

The much-loved light experience at Mount Edgcumbe has released their details for 2020. The world of Make Believe is the vision of Michael Weedon, who spent over 5 years crafting intricate homes for make-believe characters and Children’s author Michael Walter, who created a unique story for each of them. For the first time ever – Wonder Nights is bringing the entire collection together to be seen on a walking discovery in Mount Edgcumbe’s secret garden!

If you are wanting to get away from all of the (socially distanced) crowds, there are lots of other festive things to do in the great outdoors.
A brisk winter walk when the grass is crisp and the air is fresh is exactly what the doctor ordered! There is nothing like blowing out the cobwebs with a walk in the countryside. We are so lucky to have an abundance of walks from coast to woodland and moorland right on our doorstep.

Beaches are not just for sunbathing on. Grab your wellies, wrap up warm, take your dog if you have one and enjoy the freedom of a quiet beach on a beautiful winter’s morning. Wembury is a lovely spot for a quiet moment, with coastal walks right and left of the beach and up the hill past the church. Doing something active, early in the morning can be just what is needed to start your day off right!

Dartmoor is a must, with its burnt orange rolling hills, babbling brooks and waterfalls. Remember that the weather in Plymouth could be wonderful but as soon as you get to the moors, the weather may change very quickly so it is important to dress practical. Wellies are essential as I have learnt first-hand!

Take the Plym Valley Trail and enjoy a leisurely stroll through Plymbridge Woods. This trail is perfect for cycling as well so don’t forget to take your bike that Santa may have gifted you!

Meander around the cobbled streets of The Barbican and have a browse at all of the little independent shops. There are lots of little gems on The Barbican that are worth a look at for some unique Christmas gifts. And better still, you will be supporting your local businesses. The Barbican has a more relaxed shopping experience compared to the centre of town which means Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be stressful. Grab a hot beverage and wrap up warm as it can get pretty windy down there!

The sweet smell of gingerbread and mulled wine drifting through the house is enough to make anyone excited for Christmas. We have two perfect and easy to follow gingerbread and mulled wine recipes on our recipes page so be sure to check them out!

Christmas is a time for fun and festive activities and because of the current restrictions, a lot have been cancelled or adapted this year. However, there are still plenty of fun things to do, in and around Plymouth, to keep you busy and in the festive spirit. We hope that with this list and the abundance of walks around the South West, you can still manage to have a wonderful time in the run-up to Christmas.