Plymouth’s waterfront set to sparkle this Christmas

Traditional fun for the whole family will be on offer in Plymouth’s Waterfront this Christmas.

From a Christmas lights switch on to a Snowflake Trail, Santa arriving with the RNLI lifeboat and delicious food markets on offer, reindeer and owls pay a visit to the quayside and Scrooge may be found in the historic lanes. There’s something for everyone!

Businesses across the Waterfront have designed the festive fun, with activities taking place across the area from The Barbican to the Royal William Yard.

Four big Christmas weekends from Saturday 25 November to Sunday 17 December will provide the focus for the Waterfront’s fun. The Barbican is set to host the Barbican Theatre’s Christmas Carol Tours around the historic streets on Saturday 25 to Sunday 26 November, and Saturday 9 to Sunday 10 December. There will be five tours a day starting at 11am, 12.30pm, 1.30pm, 3pm and 4pm, tickets are on sale but hurry as they’re sold on a first come first served basis, booking details are on www.visitplymouth.co.uk

The Royal William Yard will be celebrating Christmas with their delicious food market on Saturday 2 December to Sunday 3 December, where you are sure to find some tempting treats and gifts.

On Saturday 16 December to Sunday 17 December, will be the Native Makers Christmas Market at Royal William Yard, where local artisan makers will be showcasing their fabulous crafts, with, of course, plenty of festive sparkle! The perfect opportunity to find those extra special and unusual gifts.

An extra special festive treat and a day not to be missed will be the traditional festive celebrations on Sunday 26 November. Starting at midday, bringing some extra special Christmas magic will be the wonderful Reindeer for visitor to see and Screech Owl Sanctuary will be bringing along several owls too. There will be a number of stalls on The Parade including, arts and crafts, face-painting and mince pies, along with a gorgeous 20ft Christmas tree.

With a fantastic Barbican Parade Stage programme comprising of performances from local community groups and choirs, theatre groups and schools, each bringing the traditions of Christmas to life.

And for fans of the Plymouth Pirates Weekend who like to dress up, families are encouraged to get into the Christmas spirit and join in the best dressed Elf competition this year! Santa will be judging his best dressed Elf and there’s a fabulous prize on offer for the winner. Judging will be taking place in front of the Barbican Parade Stage at 4pm, straight after the switch on of the Christmas tree lights.

The Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On, takes place at 4pm. Await the exciting arrival of Santa and his Elf who will be travelling by RNLI Lifeboat to The Barbican to join the Lord Mayor on The Parade for the official lights switch on.

As well as the four big Christmas weekends, the popular Waterfront Snowflake Trail will be returning. Families can enjoy a walk and explore Plymouth’s stunning Waterfront, whilst following the trail cards to locate the Snowflakes. Collect any ten Snowflake names to enter into the free prize draw to win fabulous prizes including a PlayStation 4, a 7” tablet, theatre tickets, free tickets to city attractions and gift vouchers.

The Snowflake Trail will run for six weeks, from Sunday 26 November to Sunday 7 January and the trail cards are available from the Tourist Information Centre and participating businesses, or can be downloaded from www.visitplymouth.co.uk.

And look out for the Waterfront Advent Calendar in the Herald from Friday 1 December to Sunday 24 December, where a new window display will feature with some great special offers and competitions.

Sarah Gibson, Chief Executive of the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “Waterfront businesses have designed a fantastic programme for Christmas this year. The creators of the brilliant Plymouth Pirates Weekend, the Royal William Yard Good Food Market and the Plymouth Seafood Festival have created more family fun-filled activities to bring added sparkle to Plymouth’s Waterfront this Christmas. With a trail competition, lights switch-on, markets, reindeer, Scrooge and Santa, it’s a series of fabulous festive weekend treats not to be missed!”

To find out more see: www.visitplymouth.co.uk