Exeter is the perfect destination for all your Christmas shopping, family shows, Father Christmas, festive lights and entertainment. When you need a break or a treat there's a great choice of cafes and restaurants.
Click here to download a copy of the Exeter Christmas brochure, which includes shopping and eating out discount vouchers, or click on the image to the right to view the e-book online.
Bags More Time For Shopping on Thursdays
Many city centre shops are open until 9pm on Thursdays.
Park & Ride runs late too on Thursdays with the last High Street bus leaving at 10pm.
For shopping hours at a glance:
BAGS MORE TIME FOR SHOPPING
Normal shopping hours - Mon - Sat 9am - 6pm in larger city centre shops. Sunday 10.30am - 4.30pm
November
Thurs 18 Late night shopping until 9pm
Thurs 25 Late night shopping until 9pm
December
Thurs 2 Late night shopping until 9pm
Thurs 9 Late night shopping until 9pm
Thurs 16 Late night shopping until 9pm
Mon 20 Many shops open until 8pm
Tues 21 Many shops open until 8pm
Wed 22 Many shops open until 8pm
Thurs 23 Late night shopping until 9pm
Fri 24 *Shop opening times may vary
Sat 25 Shops closed - Merry Christmas
Sun 26 *Many larger shops open
Mon 27 *Shop opening times may vary
Tues 28 Normal shopping hours
Wed 29 Normal shopping hours
Thurs 30 Normal shopping hours
Fri 31 Normal shopping hours
January
Sat 1 *Happy New Year - many shops open
Sun 2 *Shop opening times may vary
*As shopping hours may vary, please check with individual shops if you have a specific need.
Every Thursday there's guaranteed snow in Princesshay between 6pm-8pm! Here you too you can enjoy community entertainment around the real 10 metre high tree.
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Shopping
If you're looking for that unusual gift look no further. Exeter has over 300 independent and individual specialist shops with brilliant gift ideas, antiques, vintage clothes, stylish boutiques, galleries and crafts.
There's seasonal style with all you favourite brands and designer labels. Shop undercover in spacious shopping centres and stores or explore the many small shops in unusual places. Use the search facility on this site to track down your favourite brands and explore our shopping pages for ideas.
Christmas Markets
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you'll find Christmas Markets brimming with gifts, crafts and produce. For tasty fresh food, visit the the weekly Farmers Market on Thursdays at the top of Fore Street/South Street.
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Festive Food & Drink
There's a great choice on the menu for wining and dining with over 200 eateries.
In Princesshay, you can choose from Giraffe, Carluccio's and the newly opened Coal. Around the Cathedral choose from the Cathedral Cafe, Michelin-starred Michael Caines at ABode and a host of places in the city centre. Don't forget Magdalen Road, the historic Quayside and port of Topsham for more great food with waterside views. Click here to find places to eat in Exeter.
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Family Fun
Exeter's celebrations kick off with fireworks on Tuesday 16 November in High Street when the Lord Mayor of Exeter switches on the city's dazzling display of lights accompanied by rising stars Wonderland, who are managed by X-Factor's Louis Walsh and Westlife's Kian Egan.
Traditional pantomimes include Aladdin and Cinderella at the Exeter Barnfield and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Exeter Corn Exchange. At Exeter Phoenix there's a family winter show Around the World in 80 Days and the Exeter Northcott has Room on the Broom.
Christmas in the Cathedral (www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk)
Join in with the real spirit of Christmas with a carols, services, events and special celebrations.
Visit our what's on pages to view a full list of Christmas events in Exeter.
For more information on Christmas in Exeter, including Council opening hours and Christmas services, visit www.exeter.gov.uk/christmas.
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Travel & Transport
Getting around by bus from surrounding towns is easy and routes take you right to the city centre.
Regular train services run from all over the South West to Exeter to Exeter St David's Station and Central Station.
For fares & timetable information for all public transport visit www.traveline.info or call 0871 200 22 33.
Shopmobility and Ring & Ride
Exeter Community Transport Association can offer assistance to those who are unable to or have difficulty using public transport.
Call 01392 494001 or visit www.exetercta.co.uk. Electric scooters and wheelchairs are also available to hire from their shop on Paris Street located on the ground floor of the Princesshay car park.
