Families are promised festive spirit by the bucket load at Plymouth’s Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On this year.
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership are planning a fun and community-focused festive period for 2024, and we’re all invited – starting with the hugely popular lights Switch On event on Saturday November 16.
This year’s Barbican Christmas lights will be switched on by the nominated Community Hero and comedian Andy Ford who is playing Muddles in the Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.
November 8 is the closing date to nominate a special person who goes above and beyond in the community to be the Community Hero.
Barbican Lights Switch On is ‘not to be missed’
Jon Walton, CEO, and Kim Downer, Business Liaison Manager of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “We’re so excited by everything we have planned for the waterfront this festive season. Our Christmas Lights Switch On event is a key not-to-be-missed date in the calendar, and this year we’re sprinkling the community spirit even further by supporting the NSPCC Festival of Trees, as well as raising funds for Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah in partnership with Saltram Rotary for the returning charity focused Santa Fun Run.
“We’d encourage everyone to come along and enjoy the atmosphere of Christmas on the waterfront this year and support our independent businesses for something a little different for loved ones, or enjoy one of our many local cafes, bars and restaurants over a catch up with family and friends.”
This year the Barbican Lights Switch On is in association with Macpherson Motorcycles and the stage sponsor is Cattewater Harbour Commissioners.
The fun will start from midday on Saturday November 16, where you’ll find the Barbican buzzing with excitement as a variety of stage performers, interactive activities, and family-friendly entertainment unfolds.
Delight in festive storytelling, marvel at the walkabout acts, and catch the ever-popular Gables Dogs Show. Don’t forget to explore the market stalls, offering unique gifts and delicious seasonal treats.
Santa will arrive by the RNLI lifeboat at 4.30pm, ready for the Lord Mayor and Community Hero to switch on the lights between 5pm and 5.15pm. Bow River Band will then be playing their tunes until 6pm.
Local performers
There will be loads going on throughout the afternoon leading up to the switch on. Local performers will be taking to the stage to entertain the crowds. Here’s the line-up:
- 12pm SA Singing & Acting
- 1pm Stevie Little Jays
- 1.30pm Sounds Musical Theatre
- 2pm University of Plymouth Students
- 2.30pm Italia Conti
- 3pm Roxie Deville
- 3.30pm SJ Performing Arts Plymouth
- 4pm Plymouth Cheerleaders
- 4.30pm Plymuff Players’ Ciderella
Other Christmas Activities
If live performances aren’t your thing, then there’s still plenty of other activities going on around the Barbican.
Pay a visit to Santa in his Grotto on Southside Street by the St Luke’s shop from 12pm to 4pm. Pre-booking is essential and you can book your free slot here. But be mindful that Santa likes to chat, so timings may run over.
An awesome Snow Globe will be available for children to have some bouncy fun in from midday to 5pm. It costs £2 for 6 minutes. And kids can also enjoy the Christmas Fairy’s storytelling with hot chocolate at The Maritime Inn at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.
Catch some of the event’s roaming acts around the Barbican including Far Flung Dance Puppets from 4pm around Southside Street as well as Morris Dancers from 3pm.
Even dogs can join in the Christmas spirit
Even our furry friends are included in the festive fun at this year’s Barbican Lights Switch On. Head to West Pier opposite the Tourist Information Centre for the popular Gables Dog Show which will be taking place from 2pm to 3.30pm. You can show off your festive pooches for £2 a dog with all proceeds going to Gables. Registration is on the day and classes are:
- Prettiest Girl
- Handsomest Boy
- Most Appealing Eyes
- Waggiest Tail
- Happiest Hound
- Most Talented Trick
- Dog The Judge Would Like To Take Home
- Best Dressed Christmas Pooch
- Championship Class for all First Place winners
Time for some shopping
If you fancy going to the Barbican Lights Switch On for a spot of Christmas shopping, then you’re in for a treat. You are sure to find the perfect gift, and something a little bit different among the dozens of stallholders selling their wares at the event. They include:
- Charity Link Guide Dogs
- Dartmoor Whisky Distillery
- Devon Rum Co.
- DevonFlowerArt
- Extreme Chocolate
- GandTea Limited
- Glitzy Girls Sweet Treats
- Jo James Jewellery
- Ten Ten Christmas hats
- The Mewstone Candle Company
- Ocean City Crafts
- Bakedpz
- Lulu’s Bakery
- The Devon Fudge Company
- Jacinta Rose Jewellery
- Devon Wildlife Trust
- Love Army HQ
- The Three Crowns
- Art by Apollonia Pendragon
- Nicky’s Glow Beads and Gifts
- Sweet Treats Shop
- Tasty Toastie
- Crepe Cornwall
- African Delight
- The Melting Pot Kitchen
- The Smoking Longhorn
- Hungry Hog South West
- Fillies & Fizz mobile bar
- The Bubbly Box
Other Christmas Events on the Waterfront
There’s also a whole load of other events going on around the waterfront this Christmas – families are going to be spoilt for choice.
- From Saturday November 16 – NSPCC Festival of Trees – this festive favourite will see Christmas trees displayed in three venues across the waterfront at the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Pavilions and Ocean Studios. Local businesses are being invited to sponsor the trees to support NSPCC.
- Friday November 22 – as part of a UK wide tour, Plymouth welcomes the Small Business Saturday team to highlight the waterfront’s extensive and eclectic range of small local independent businesses.
- Sunday December 8 – Santa Fun Run – Saltram Rotary in partnership with Plymouth Waterfront Partnership are bringing hundreds of Santas to the historic cobbles as they take part in and raise money for two fantastic local charities – Jeremiah’s Journey and Shekinah. Find out more about it here.
- From December 13 – Plymuff Players brings Ciderella to the Barbican Theatre, and it’s set to make panto season a whole lot funnier. Expect cider, laughs and a very different Cinderella story.
- The Royal William Yard will be transformed into a winter wonderland this Christmas, with festive markets, places to shop and socialise and seasonal entertainment. There will be a stunning range of magical gifts at the Festive Good Food and Craft Markets every Wednesday 5pm to 9pm and Sunday 10am to 3pm in the run up to Christmas. There will also be a Festive Family Fun Day at the yard on Saturday December 14. It promises a day of Christmas merriment, free festive crafting for children and Christmas tunes from a Barbershop Choir.
So you see there’s PLENTY to get you into the Christmas spirit on Plymouth’s waterfront this Christmas period. I’ll see you there!
This is a collaborative post with Plymouth Waterfront Partnership
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