Christmas in Exmouth

A Wonderland of Light

Visit the “Wonderland of Light” at the Devoncourt Hotel where hundreds of magical illuminated figurines are spread around the hotel’s extensive gardens. The display begins every evening at 5pm from now until the New Year. Don’t forget that refreshments are available and the restaurant is open from 18:30 (Wednesdays – Sundays). There’s also a reindeer trail for kids, plus a charitable collection for the RNLI.

Visit Santa at the World of Country Life

Visit Santa at the World of Country Life for a Victorian Christmas. Not only can you meet Santa, you can also ride his special Christmas Deer Train – to handfeed the red deer (Father Christmas’s back-up herd!). You can also step back in time to wander along a festively lit traditional Victorian Christmas street, where you can enjoy a warm drink, sausage roll & carol singing before you meet old Santa Claus in his cottage workshop. Don’t forget to have a go at making traditional Christmas cards before you leave! For full details visit www.worldofcountrylife.co.uk for tickets. These special events run from the 2nd to the 23rd of December.

Sail with Santa

This is the time of year to cruise the Exe estuary, so Exmouth’s own Stuart Line Cruises are serving up wonderful boat trips guaranteed to get you in the holiday spirit. Choose from either a Festive Cruise or a Sail with Santa excursion for the kids. On board you’ll enjoy an engaging festive commentary plus a complimentary mince pie & mulled wine. We promise it’s just the thing to get you in the Christmas mood – from December 6th through to January 1st.

Magical Maker’s Bonanza

Head along to Oddfellows on Saturday 9th of December for the Magical Maker’s Bonanza where you’ll meet the best local crafters, selling their wares. Not only will you get your Christmas shopping started, you’ll also feel a warm fuzzy feeling for supporting small local businesses. Mulled wine & cider will be available from the bar and each purchase comes with a free mince pie (whilst stock lasts!). Throw in delicious food and tunes from DJ Darren and we defy you not to feel Christmassy!

Pop down to Antonio’s for some Xmas Ice Cream

Christmas is coming and the long awaited range of Antonio’s hand made Christmas Ice Cream is now ready. Why not pop in after doing the Christmas shopping and take a taste. This year’s flavours include Christmas Pudding, Ferrero Rocher, Mulled Wine Sorbet, Panna Cotta with Raspberry and White Chocolate, Irish Cream Cheesecake, and Terry’s Chocolate Orange. They also sell gelato in insulated tubs that fit snugly into your freezer for that slightly different Christmas present.

Santa (Bike) Cruise

“Tally Ho…Ho…HO!” Join the Exmouth Santa (bike) Cruise along the Exmouth seafront – raising money for the Devon Wildlife Trust. The event is FREE (provided you dress as Santa) and run by Exmouth Cycle Hire in association with The Grapevine Brewhouse. Starting at 12 noon by The Grapevine Brewhouse, Victoria Road, a convoy of festively dressed cyclists will pedal their way along the seafront to Orcombe Point before returning to The Grapevine Brewhouse for festive cheer, mulled wine and mince pies.

Christmas Craft Fair & Grotto

Head over to local pub, The Beach, for a Christmas Craft Fair & Santa’s Grotto (12 noon – 18:00pm) on Sunday 10th December. You’ll find a large number of stalls selling quality crafts and gifts – perfect for Christmas presents.

Carols on the Quay

Don’t worry, rain or shine, there’ll be Carols on the Quay on the 10th December. Starting at 6pm at Exmouth Marina, the Exmouth Shanty Men will be joined by musicians and singers for a variety of festive cheer. This ever popular event is perfect for the whole family.

Craft & Stories with Santa

On the 23rd and 24 December there’ll be Crafts & Stories with Santa at Ocean. You’ll be able to decorate Christmas cookies and make magic reindeer food with Mrs Claus, then have breakfast / lunch with the big man himself! All this is followed by story time and little gifts to take away. Plus, if you don’t want the fun to stop, entry to Ocean Play will be half price. There are two sessions each day (breakfast or lunch) at 09:00 and 13:00.

Cinderella Pantomime with Ashley from Coronation St

Join Exmouth pantomime favourite “Stuart Earp” with an all star cast including Steven Arnold (Ashley from Coronation St) and REAL Shetland Ponies as they bring their production of the Cinderella Pantomime to Exmouth Pavilion. Follow the rags to riches tale where dreams come true with a special invitation to the Ball. Watch with amazement as Cinderellas’s pumpkin is transformed into a beautiful coach in the most magical fairy tale of them all.

The First Exmouth Parkrun with British long-distance runner Jo Pavey MBE

Concerned about consuming too many calories over Christmas? Then take part in the very first Exmouth Parkrun on Saturday 23rd December at 9:00, Ocean and get ready for the Christmas ‘intox’ of food – at the very least it’ll make you feel slightly less guilty about eating too many mince pies. Bring the kids too and partake as a family – there are so many health, well-being and social benefits to the 5K course along Exmouth seafront. Exmouth Harrier Simon Minting, one of the volunteers driving the project, said “It could become a great community event which could attract some 300 local runners and visitors a week.” And if that’s not inspiring enough for you to get your running shoes on, then British long-distance runner Jo Pavey MBE will be taking part in the event with you. Pavey is a five-time Olympian and 10,000m gold medal winner (2014 European Championships) which made her the oldest female European champion in history at age 40 and 325 days. So get out there peeps and run for fun (or even just walk and talk)! Many thanks must go to LED Leisure who have covered the launch costs of the project.

Christmas Day Swim

Every 25th of December since 1970, hundreds of hardy people have descended upon our beach for the famous Exmouth Christmas Day Swim. Why not join them? We’re told it’s the best way to build up an appetite for your seasonal dinner. Everyone is welcome to have a dip, Why not wear fancy dress? Most people do! The swim kicks off at 11 am sharp, on the beach opposite the clock tower. Don’t worry if you don’t fancy getting wet, you can join the hundreds of people who head down to watch the festivities!

Partying in Exmouth

If you’ve not booked your Christmas party yet or if fancy a more refined Christmas drinkie then head down to the Strand where you’ll find great independent bars and brasseries including: The Grapevine & Brewhouse, Franklins, El Olivo, Spoken (Best UK Spirit Bar 2014, 15 & 16!), & Oddfellows.

Ocean is throwing amazing Christmas Parties on the 8th, 9th, 15th & 16th of December – where groups of all sizes are welcome. Why not join in the festive fun with a 3 course meal, crackers, dancing to The Fab Beatles & festive photo’s (from the Green Screen Photo Booth)? Tickets are just £29.95 per person, call 01395 222477 to book.

Stuart Line Cruises are also running three Christmas Boat Parties on the 15th, 16th and 22nd of December. Why not avoid the impersonality of a night club or the hassle of splitting the restaurant bill and set sail aboard a Christmas party with a difference. You’ll enjoy a 3 hour cruise with homemade mulled wine, locally produced buffet and disco. Their vessel has an enclosed, heated lower deck and a licensed cash bar. Book for just yourself, couples or party groups!

New Year in Exmouth

New Year’s Eve in Exmouth is a night not to be missed. Practically the whole town turns out in fancy dress. Indeed, Exmouth is regularly voted one of the top five places in the UK to spend New Year’s Eve – with fireworks in The Strand marking the dawning of the New Year.

Here are some key New Year’s Eve events…

Head to The Grapevine Brewhouse for their New Year’s Eve Pirate Party (fancy dress encouraged but not essential) featuring a foot-stomping soundtrack from Eat The Rich. Tickets £5, limited spaces available – be quick!

Christmas in Exmouth, at a glance

And finally if you want an unusual gift for Christmas…