Craft fairs, festive markets and a huge indoor extravaganza – take your pick
Christmas shopping doesn’t have to be a chore – it can also be a fun social event, writes Philippa Davies who takes a look at What’s On West.
Seasonal craft fairs and markets are taking place all over Devon in the next few weeks, many with festive food and drink available, music and entertainment, and activities for children.
As well as being a lot more enjoyable than trawling around crowded chain stores, these events are a great way to support local businesses, artists and craftspeople.
Instead of shopping online for all your Christmas presents, treats and decorations, here is the chance to head for a market or fair in a nearby town where you can browse around the stalls, meet the traders and buy some really unusual, special items, while keeping your money in the local economy.
Most are free to attend. Go with the family or meet a group of friends there, and turn your Christmas shopping into a feel-good festive experience.
Here are some of the festive shopping events taking place around Devon over the next few weeks:
Friday, November 15 – Sunday, December 15: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market, Cathedral Green. Devon’s biggest Christmas market with around 100 traders, along with street food, bars and entertainment. This year there’s a special area for independent businesses in the Cloister Garden.
Saturday, November 16: Sidmouth. Craft fair at Kennaway House 10am to 7pm, to coincide with Christmas lights switch-on and late-night shopping.
Friday, November 22: Dawlish. Food and drink market in town centre from 2pm, lantern parade, lights switch-on and late-night shopping.
Saturday, November 23: Dawlish. Christmas Fayre and charity stalls on the Strand, with music and entertainment, 10am to 4pm.
Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23: Brixham. Street market in town centre as part of the Lanterns, Lights & Luminations event, with entertainment, lights switch-on (Friday) and lanterns parade plus fireworks on Saturday.
Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24: Teignmouth. Christmas Gift & Craft Fayre at the Pavilions, with 40 stalls of crafts and gifts from local makers.
Exeter Christmas Market by Ella Foster / Exeter Cathedral
Thursday, November 28 until Sunday, December 15: Plymouth. Market in the Piazza, with around 50 traders selling their wares from festive log cabins.
Friday, November 29: Ilfracombe. Combe Christmas in the High Street with market stalls, food vendors, live music and entertainers, 6pm to 9pm.
Saturday, November 30: Newton Abbot. Christmas Fayre at the Racecourse, 10am until 4pm. Indoor and outdoor stalls, children’s entertainment including ‘reindeer’ pony rides.
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1: Torquay. Torre Abbey Winterfest gift and craft fair, 10am to 5pm.
Saturday, November 30 and Sunday, December 1: Bovey Tracey. Ullacombe Farm Christmas Market, with Santa’s grotto.
Sunday, December 1, Tiverton: Craft and Gift Fair at the Pannier Market in the town centre, 10am to 2pm.
Tuesday, December 3, 10 and 17: Totnes. Market in town centre with stalls and street entertainment; lantern procession on 17th.
Thursday, December 5: Plymouth, Local Makers’ Christmas Market at The Box museum and art gallery.
Exeter Christmas Market by Emma Solley / Exeter Cathedral
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8: Exeter. Westpoint Christmas Shopping Fayre which is widely regarded as the biggest event of its kind in the South West, with around 250 stalls and Santa’s grotto. Admission £5.
Friday, December 6: Tavistock. Dickensian Evening in the town centre with stalls and traditional food and entertainment.
Friday, December 6 and Saturday, December 7: Sidmouth. Christmas Craft Fair at Kennaway House with mulled wine and mince pies, Santa, and a children’s trail. Friday 4pm to 8pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.
Saturday, December 7: Honiton. Christmas Craft and Shopping Fair at The Beehive, featuring local businesses and craftspeople selling their wares, 10am to 4pm.
Saturday, December 7: Brixham. Indoor Christmas market in the Town Hall, 10am to 3pm.
Saturday, December 7 and Sunday, December 8: Dartington. Craft Fair at Dartington Hall, offering high quality contemporary craft and design including ceramics, printmaking, jewellery, textiles and woodcraft. 10am to 4pm on both days.
Saturday, December 7: Kingsbridge. Farmers’ market in the town centre, with carol singing and a visit from Santa.
Saturday, December 7, 14 and 21: Bideford. Christmas food and drink market at The Big Sheep visitor attraction.
Friday, December 13 – Tuesday, December 17: Exmouth. Christmas Village at The Strand, including an indoor market with around 80 stalls, live music, comedy and other entertainment. Open 12pm to 7pm on Friday, 10am to 7pm on Saturday, and 12pm till 6pm Sunday to Tuesday.
Friday, December 13: Budleigh Salterton. Bicton Park Botanical Gardens Craft Fair and late-night shopping, with singing from Budleigh Salterton Male Voice Choir and festive lights display, 4pm to 8pm.
Saturday, December 14 – Monday, December 23: Tavistock. Christmas Market at Butcher’s Hall, daily. Open 9am to 4pm.
