Major Christmas Markets and Winter Attractions in Devon, UK, in 2025
Major Christmas markets & winter attractions in Devon, UK, in 2025 — discover dates, times, addresses, parking, official websites and ticket links for Exeter, Plymouth, Brixham, Bideford & RHS Rosemoor.
Updated 12/12/2025
Devon sparkles every winter, and Major Christmas markets & winter attractions in Devon, UK, in 2025 promises a season packed with light trails, artisan gifts, skating rinks and seafront celebrations. From the glowing stalls on Exeter’s historic Cathedral Green to the family rides and rink at Northernhay Gardens, the county blends heritage settings with joyful attractions. North Devon shines too: RHS Rosemoor’s “Glow 2025” turns woodland paths into an illuminated wonderland, while Affinity Devon in Bideford layers markets, choirs and its new ice rink into a full festive calendar.
On the English Riviera, Brixham’s Lanterns, Lights & ’luminations fills the harbour with lantern parades and fireworks, and Plymouth’s city-centre market brings street food, gifts and late-night shopping beneath twinkling lights. This guide rounds up six standout events with everything you need at a glance: exact dates, typical hours, full addresses, official websites, direct ticket links and clear parking notes.
Whether you’re hunting unique, local-made gifts, planning a romantic light-trail stroll, or treating the kids to skating and Santa visits, you’ll find an itinerary-friendly snapshot below. Bookmark this page, share it with your group chat, and build your perfect Devon festive break.
Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market – Exeter
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the 12th-century cathedral, Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market wraps the Green in rows of alpine chalets, artisan makers and warming street food. Browse more than a hundred curated stalls, discover regional cheeses and bakes, and pause for mulled wine as the Cathedral glows at dusk. Entry to the market is free, and Exeter Cathedral offers “Entry by Donation” during market opening, so you can step inside to see its vaulted ceiling and medieval clock before returning to the bustle outside.
The setup is designed for easy meandering, with wide paths, step-free access at most gates, and on-site first aid and security. Arrive early for quieter shopping, or plan a late visit Thursday–Saturday when musicians and the after-work crowd lift the atmosphere. City-centre parking and Park & Ride make access simple; rail travellers can walk from Exeter Central or St Davids.
Date: 20 Nov – 19 Dec 2025
Time: Mon–Wed 10:00–19:00; Thu–Sat 10:00–21:00; Sun 11:00–17:00
Address: Cathedral Green, Exeter, EX1 1HS
Website: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market
Ticket Link: Free entrance
Parking: Nearby city car parks (Princesshay, Guildhall) & Park & Ride recommended.
If you’re gift-hunting, allow time to explore: hand-thrown ceramics, indie fashion, silver jewellery and sustainable decorations all feature alongside local street-food heroes. Come for the crafts, stay for the lights—and leave with gifts that feel truly Devon.
Exeter Winter Wonderland – Exeter
Northernhay Gardens transforms into a full festive destination at Exeter Winter Wonderland, complete with a large undercover real ice rink, a sparkling new light trail, a festive funfair and Santa’s Grotto. It’s a brilliant choice for families: pre-book timed sessions for skating or Santa, then graze your way around seasonal food stalls between rides.
Being undercover, the rink runs whatever the weather, and the garden setting creates a cozy, in-the-city escape with easy access from rail stations and central car parks. Sessions are popular on weekend evenings, so book early for prime slots. If you prefer a gentler pace, weekday afternoons are calmer, and Northernhay’s paths offer good pram and wheelchair access.
Date: 21 Nov – 28 Dec 2025
Time: Hours vary by attraction; skating & grotto by timed slots.
Address: Northernhay Gardens, Exeter, EX4 3SA
Website & Ticket Link: via official website here
Parking: Use Exeter city-centre car parks and Park & Ride; short walk from Exeter Central.
Expect classic Christmas hits, glittering décor, and plenty of photo-ops—ideal for that annual family snap. With dates spanning late November to just after Christmas, it’s a flexible anchor for any Exeter trip and pairs perfectly with the Cathedral Market only a short stroll away.
RHS Rosemoor “Glow 2025” – Great Torrington (North Devon)
By late afternoon, Rosemoor’s gardens slip from green to glowing as Glow 2025 lights paths, arbours and water with colour-washed trees and shimmering installations. Timed entry keeps the trail relaxed and family-friendly; most visitors spend around 60–90 minutes wandering the route before warming up with hot drinks and seasonal bites. Pre-book tickets (required) and choose the slot that best matches sunset; the earliest times suit families with young children, while later slots feel extra magical under deeper skies.
Accessibility is front-of-mind, and the route is clearly stewarded; dogs are not permitted on Glow nights (assistance dogs excepted). If you’re visiting from the coast, arrive a little early for parking and to explore the shop’s curated Christmas range. Members get reduced pricing, and selected dates run to 30 December, making it a calming post-Christmas outing too.
Date: Selected dates, 21 Nov – 30 Dec 2025
Time: 16:30–20:30 (last entry to Glow route 19:15)
Address: RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, EX38 8PH
Website & Ticket Link: via official website here
Parking: Free on-site parking at RHS Rosemoor.
The light design changes each year, so even returning guests find new corners to love—from mirror-still reflections to softly lit winter borders. It’s an atmospheric North Devon highlight and an easy pairing with a weekend in Bideford or Clovelly.
Affinity Devon – Bideford (North Devon)
Affinity Devon turns shopping into a festive day out with a stacked “What’s On” programme: artisan markets, choirs, workshops, character meet-and-greets and, new for 2025, a family-friendly ice rink. The centre’s Christmas Farmers Food & Craft Markets bookend the season—late November and just before Christmas—so you can pick up local produce, small-batch gifts and last-minute treats.
Late-night shopping Thursdays come with extra stalls and music, while the rink’s launch evening (11 December) even includes free skating. It’s an easy win for mixed-age groups: browse 60+ stalls at the big market weekend, let the kids burn energy on the rink, snap a photo in the free indoor Snow Globe, and refuel with café stops dotted around the mall.
Date: 22 november to 23 december
Time: Hours vary by attraction
Address: Affinity Devon, Clovelly Road, Bideford, EX39 3QU
Website: Affinity Devon – Bideford
Ticket Link: Free entrance
Parking: Free on-site parking at the outlet centre.
Opening times differ by activity, but the calendar is clearly laid out, and the site sits just off the A39 with loads of free parking—ideal for North Devon breaks or a quick detour en-route to the coast. If you’re chasing value, time your visit for market days or choir slots; if you’re chasing calm, arrive at 11am for the rink, then lunch and a light shop before the after-school rush.
Brixham Christmas Market & Lantern Festival – Brixham
Brixham’s Lanterns, Lights & ’luminations is pure seaside sparkle: two days of live music, a bustling street market, a community lantern parade and a Saturday-night firework finale over the harbour. Friday builds gently from late afternoon with stalls, performances and the lantern parade stepping off at 6pm, weaving through the town to the waterfront.
Saturday starts earlier, with traders and entertainers from 10am and fireworks scheduled for 6:30pm from the breakwater. It’s a brilliant, walkable event—base yourself around The Quay and Middle Street, dip in and out of cafés, then wrap up on the harbourside for the countdown and switch-on. Families love the friendly atmosphere; photographers love the reflections of lights on the bay. Parking is in public car parks around the town, so arrive early or use buses from Torquay and Paignton.
Date: 21–22 Nov 2025
Time: Fri market from 16:00; Lantern Parade 18:00; Sat market from 10:00; Fireworks 18:30
Address: The Quay & Town Centre, Brixham, TQ5 8TA
Website: Brixham Christmas Market
Ticket Link: Free entrance
Parking: Public car parks around the harbour/town; arrive early.
The market focuses on handmade crafts and local treats, perfect for stocking fillers and edible gifts. If you can, extend your visit into Sunday for a quieter wander along the marina and a fish-and-chips debrief. Brixham’s winter charm shines brightest when the lanterns glow and the town comes together.
Plymouth Christmas Market – Plymouth
Plymouth’s city-centre market spreads across the Piazza and Armada Way with wooden chalets, global street food, local makers and live entertainment, plus extended hours for late-night shopping on Thursdays and Fridays. It’s easy to access by rail (10-minute walk from the station) and is surrounded by cafés, bars and department stores, making it a convenient all-in-one festive day out.
Families can browse by day when it’s calmer, then return in the evening for music, lights and a treat from the food court. Traders change through the run, so repeat visits reveal new finds—from artisan chocolate to woollens, candles and coastal-inspired prints. The official site lists handy accessibility info, Park & Ride details and blue-badge guidance; city-centre car parks are plentiful, and some offer special late-night rates.
Date: 27 Nov – 21 Dec 2025
Time: Mon–Wed 10:00–19:00; Thu–Fri 10:00–20:00; Sat 10:00–20:00; Sun 11:00–17:00
Address: The Piazza/Armada Way, Plymouth City Centre, PL1 2AA (Piazza)
Website: Plymouth Christmas Market
Ticket Link: Free entrance
Parking: Numerous city car parks & Park & Ride options; late-night offers apply.
With opening hours every day and dates from late November to the weekend before Christmas, it’s a must-add to any South Devon itinerary and pairs nicely with a waterfront walk at the Barbican. Come hungry, bring a tote, and make a night of it under the city’s twinkling canopy.
With light trails, harbour fireworks, late-night shopping and rink-side laughs, Major Christmas markets & winter attractions in Devon, UK, in 2025 offer something festive for every mood. Plan a weekend that blends Exeter’s cathedral-side browsing with skating at Northernhay Gardens, then head north for Rosemoor’s luminous walk and Bideford’s markets and rink. Add a coastal dash with Brixham’s lanterns and fireworks, and round things off with Plymouth’s big-city buzz and easy transport links.
Use the official sites and ticket portals above to lock in your chosen dates, check accessibility, and time your visits around parades, choirs or late-night openings. However you map it, Devon’s winter welcomes you with warm lights, good food and gifts that feel personal and handmade. Wrap up, charge your phone for photos, and make 2025 the year you discover just how magical the Southwest can be in the glow of Christmas.
