How the Christmas lights will be switched on this festive season

InExeter will host and celebrate the city’s Christmas lights with a special five-day event series for all the family taking place across all quarters of the city from 13 – 17 November with travel partner Stagecoach and activity sponsor Crealy Adventure Park & Resort and charity partner Hospiscare.

The new format of community events will have Exeter’s residents and visitors at their heart, celebrating the city’s heritage, culture, its vibrant businesses and putting the city at centre stage. Five Nights of Lights is the official start of the countdown to Christmas in Exeter and this year. 

City residents and visitors can enjoy the celebrations from 5pm on Wednesday 13 as South Street and North Street Sings kicks of this festive event series. Local community choirs will come together to sing in a parade of music, lanterns and lights starting at North Street and finishing on South Street with special guests the Sounds of the Sirens and the Sirens Choir joining the parade to perform their Christmas single ‘I Still Believe’ in aid of St Petrock’s.

A carnival of colour, lights, music and Christmas celebration will bring Exeter Phoenix, Queen Street, Gandy Street and Guildhall Shopping & Dining to life on Thursday 14 November. Led by the Exeter Street Band and community performers, this spectacular parade will also include a Bad Christmas Jumper Rave organised by Jam the Channel and hosted by Dame Betty Bon Bon from Exeter Northcott’s Beauty & the Beast.

The stars will shine bright with fairy-tale princesses and live acapella music kicking off the festivities for Sidwell Street and Paris Street on Friday 15 November. The night’s entertainment will start at 4pm and the festive parade will begin inside John Lewis & Partners ending outside for all to see the lights switched on overhead in Sidwell Street, not forgetting a special meet and greet from the Northcott’s Beauty and Beast. The streets will be lined with pop up food and drinks stalls and craft activities to make families feel extra Christmassy during the Friday celebrations.

From 2pm – 6pm on Saturday 16 November shoppers will be entertained with festivities for all of the family at the High Street & Castle Street Family Christmas Fair. With free arts and crafts, live music, pop up stalls and lantern making, there is plenty for everyone to enjoy together. Stand and look up in amazement at the Christmas lights as they get switched on by a three-metre-tall puppet of Exeter’s comedy son Tommy Cooper.

The entertainment doesn’t stop there: join the Fore Street traders for a festive Fore Street Flea, with street food, indie, craft and vintage gift shopping and live music on the final day of Five Nights of Lights from 12pm – 6pm. West Quarter light switch on, The mesmerising lantern parade ends by the stage for a festive finale to the 5 Nights of Lights.

Not only will Exeter be illuminated ready for Christmas but with so many other activities signalling the start of Christmas such as Exeter’s Christmas Markets on Cathedral Green,  Gandy Street Countdown to Christmas and late night shopping evenings starting on Thursday 21 November, the city is your stage for your festive fix this Christmas.