InExeter announces date for this year's Christmas lights switch on event

This year the city will be illuminated with the biggest display of Christmas lights Exeter has ever seen. 

For the third year, InExeter will host and celebrate the city’s Christmas lights switch on event with a new festival for all the family culminating in the lights being switched on at a new time of 5pm on Sunday 18th November in close partnership with Stagecoach and sponsor Crealy.

The annual event has moved to a Sunday, and the city will host a full day of family friendly, festive events, including crafting activities and face painting and live music from local musicians. The city-wide festive illuminations will signal the start of the five late night shopping evenings leading up to Christmas, the first of which is on Thursday 22nd November, when many of Exeter’s shops will stay open until 9pm.

City residents and visitors can enjoy the celebrations from 11am on the Sunday when a timetable of live music and entertainment will get underway. The switch on will be hosted by InExeter and Radio Exe who will welcome special guests to the stage at 5pm to press the button that will spark Exeter’s best Christmas lights display yet.

This year will be the third year that InExeter has funded city-wide Christmas illuminations, bringing festive cheer across the city. With additional lights being added to Castle Street, Fore Street, and the Guildhall, as well as continued light schemes throughout Gandy Street, North Street, South Street, High Street, Paris Street and Sidwell Street and Princesshay and The Guildhall hosting their own spectacular festive lights, 2018 is tipped to be the city’s biggest and best Christmas yet.

Ann Hunter, InExeter manager said: “Christmas 2018 is going to be bigger and better than ever. We are really excited about moving the light switch on to the Sunday for a full day of fantastic festive activities that the whole family can get involved in.

"This year there will be so much on offer including the unmissable Christmas Markets situated on Cathedral Green, a superb show of Christmas illuminations and events scheduled from both independent and high street retailers, this year will be the most festive year yet for the city.

"As well as all the added fun, the usual late-night Thursday shopping events are not to be missed and give shoppers the perfect opportunity to pick up Christmas gifts for friends and family while enjoying all that Exeter has to offer.”