Christmas at Princesshay 2026
Step out with Princessahy this Christmas and find Festive Joy in centre with our exciting line up of events, stunning Christmas lights and decorations, late night shopping plus our Mistletoe Bar and market.
JOYful Lights shine bright
Our beautiful, twinkling Christmas Lighting displays will shine bright from Friday 13th November in line with the rest of the city centre of Exeter. There is no official light switch on event on this date but we have a packed programme in the run up to Christmas with further details listed below.
Expect thousands of warm twinkly lights, beautifully decorated green wreaths, a stunning 8m Christmas tree in Princesshay Square and multiple ‘on the ground’ photo opportunities including Santa’s Sleigh, Angel Wings and hugely popular walk through JOY letters. This lighting scheme is our ‘greenest’ ever, made from recycled aluminium, recycled plastics and featuring ultra LED bulbs.
The Princesshay Festive Bar & Market
We will be joined by 13 street food and local market traders as part of the Princesshay Festive Bar & Markets from the 13th November – 31st December. Christmas cabins will be located in Princesshay Square, Bedford Street, Eastgate and the main mall feature a rotating programme of local businesses from jewellers and crafts to candles, bakes, art, pottery and soaps. The Mistletoe Bar, located in Princesshay square next to our sparkling Christmas tree, offers the perfect pitstop together with a European festive market vibe.
Full programme of traders and opening times coming soon.
SPARK WorldBeaters and more!
To celebrate the launch of the Christmashay Village and the start of late-night shopping on Thursday 19th November, we are delighted to welcome back SPARK WorldBeaters with performances at 5pm, 6pm & 7pm. This incredible street theatre troupe features live music, movement and spectacular lighting.
View our festive programme here.
Christmas Charity Trees
Celebrating its 14th anniversary, we are pleased to welcome back the Charity Christmas Trees Festival on Roman Walk. 35 Charity Trees are lit and decorated from 13th November showcasing some of the amazing local charities and their causes.
Above: Charity Christmas Tree Festival & Spark Drummers are back this Christmas!
Santa Sundays
We’re over the moon to announce that Santa is joining us every Sunday for the 4 weeks prior to the big day itself. Find him sitting in his golden sleigh under the glass canopy outside Space NK. Santa waves and greets all passers-by and those wanting to share their Christmas lists and pose for a photo can queue to join him briefly in the sleigh. This activity is in partnership with our charity of the year, the Deaf Academy. For each child wanting a photo with the ‘man in red’, we’re asking for a suggested donation of £2.50 each, all of which goes to the amazing work of the Deaf Academy. Each child who meets Santa will take home a small festive token.
NEW FOR 2026
Santa Saturdays
Located within the golden sleigh and in the same format as the above Sunday Sessions, we are pleased to offer a new and inclusive communication experience for Saturdays. Led by the Deaf Academy, and aimed those deaf or hard of hearing, you can enjoy meeting a Signing Santa (together with his interpreter) for a magical and inclusive festive moment. These sessions will operate on both Saturday 5th December and Saturday 12th December between 11am – 3pm. All visitors to Santa welcome.
Further information here.
Above: Find Santa and his helpers in our golden sleigh under the glass canopy on Selected Saturdays and Sundays in December before Christmas
Late Nights
We’re open late on the dates in the lead up to Christmas with shops open until 8pm:
- Thursday 19th November
- Thursday 26th November
- Thursday 3rd December
- Thursday 10th December
- Thursday 17th December
For our full list of Christmas opening times please click here.