Plymouth Christmas light switch-on set to make city sparkle
The festive fun kicks off tonight
Last updated 17th Nov 2022
Plymouth is preparing to put the sparkle into the holiday season when the festive fun kick-starts later.
The city centre will be illuminated tonight (Thursday 17 November) and two days later (Saturday 19 November) the same will happen on the Barbican, Sutton Harbour and Waterfront.
There will be a series family-friendly entertainment and activities â and spells the start of the festive shopping rush.
Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said: "Our Christmas lights are always amazing and a real joy for everyone coming into the city centre. We know this is a tough time for everyone in the country but we want to encourage people to shop locally, whatever their spending power, and to really enjoy all that Plymouth has to offer this festive season.
"We hope theyâll come into the city centre, enjoy the lights and the whole festive experience, browse round our fantastic shops and maybe pop in for drinks or something to eat at one of our many fantastic cafes, bars and restaurants. Every pound spent locally makes a big difference, helping to put money back into the local economy."
The excitement starts in The Piazza tonight from 4.00pm. The big light switch-on - supported by Morgan Sindall Construction - will take place between 6.00pm and 6.30pm
The Barbican Christmas Lights switch-on event - sponsored by PL1 Events - will feature free activities and entertainment from 12.00pm to 6.00pm on Saturday.
Children can also visit Santa in his grotto and give him a wave as he travels across the water on the RNLI boat.
There will also be a festive bus on Southside Street, which will host the special guests switching on the Christmas lights at approximately 5.30pm. They will include the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Sue Dann and three very special community heroes.
This yearâs community heroes are:
- David Milford, who recently retired from the RNLI as Coxswain of the Plymouth Lifeboat after 30 years of service, where he has endeavoured to keep people safe in our seas, as well as being a brilliant ambassador for Plymouth, promoting Britainâs Ocean City at every opportunity
- Annemarie and Douglas Kerr, truly are an amazing couple, giving all their free time volunteering and are ambassadors of MND (motor neurone disease), Kidney Research UK, Plympton Rotary, Clean Our Patch CIC, as well as welcoming cruise passengers to Plymouth. This is on top of working, dealing with illness and bringing up a family
From Thursday 1 December to Sunday 18 December, Plymouthâs shopping experience is boosted event further by a Christmas Market including over 50 log cabins in Armada Way.
This week will also see the return of festive late-night Thursdays at Drake Circus, with stores open until 8.00pm, and more than 30 retailers will open even later until 9.00pm in the lead up to Christmas.