Exeter Christmas Market and Winter Wonderland are returning in 2024, bringing the festive atmosphere back to Cathedral Green and Exeter Castle.
Keep reading for the confirmed dates, opening times, and everything you need to plan your visit.
Exeter Christmas Market 2024
Dates – Confirmed
Exeter Christmas Market dates: 15th November to 15th December 2024 (confirmed).
Winter Wonderland: 22nd November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Update: Dates were announced in August. Sign up for our newsletter for future updates.
Source: Dates are obtained directly from the organisers: Exeter Cathedral and Winter Wonderland.
Note: The following details are for the cathedral event. Scroll down for Winter Wonderland details.
Plan Your Visit
Location and Times
Location: Cathedral Green.
Opening times:
Monday to Wednesday: 10am and 7pm.
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 9pm.
Sunday: 11am to 5pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Travel and Accommodation
Public transport: Train: Exeter Central and regular buses.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion. NCP Exeter Market Street is nearby parking.
Where to stay: City Gate is a popular hotel 4 minutes from Cathedral Green.
Amenities and Attractions
Admission: Free, no tickets required.
Christmas lights: Yes, switch-on date: Thursday 14th November (unconfirmed) at Princesshay.
Santa: No.
Ice skating: No.
Reason to visit: A family-friendly event focused on local artisans and performers.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Limited. Ask individual vendors, but beware of cross-contamination.
Food specialities: Local seafood, baked goods, specialty coffee, Exeter gin, fudge and cheese.
Accessibility
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.
Convenient Hotels
A few steps from Exeter Cathedral is City Gate, a conveniently located hotel for visitors to Exeter. Alternatively, you could stay at the classically decorated Southernhay House Hotel, which is a 3-minute walk from Cathedral Green.
There are several nice places to stay if you want to make you visit into a short getaway. Check out our list of hotels in Exeter to book.
Exeter isn’t our only recommendation for this year’s festive events. Read our UK Christmas Markets List to disover where to go.
Map of Cathedral Green
Captured a moment that embodies the holiday season? Tag your photos with #UltimateChristmasMarkets — we can’t wait to see your festive finds!
Exeter Winter Wonderland
Looks like Winter Wonderland is returning to Northernhay Gardens after having been cancelled last year.
The festive event at the base of Exeter Castle has something for everyone, including a covered ice rink and the German-themed Alpine bar.
Children can enjoy rides, the carousel, and meet Santa at his Giant Grotto, complete with Elf Workshop.
The Mini Christmas Market is perfect for finding last minute gifts.
Exeter Winter Wonderland dates: 22nd November to 24th December 2024 (confirmed).
Location: Northernhay Gardens at the base of Exeter Castle.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Ice skating: Advance booking recommended but not essential.
Santa’s Grotto: 15th to 24th December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Monday to Friday: 12pm to 7pm.
Saturday and Sunday: 11am to 8pm.
Advance booking recommended but not essential.
Family Funfair: 10am to 10pm.
Tickets for rides are available from the Box Office at the Ice Rink.
German Themed Bar: 10am to 10pm.
Christmas in Exeter
Cathedral Green is the central location for Exeter’s winter market, the largest in Devon.
The market has over 100 stalls with a mix of local and international traders, selling artisan crafts, gourmet food and West Country produce at the wooden chalets.
A key highlight is the Exeter Food & Drink Trail, which runs alongside the market, showcasing local producers.
Live music at the bandstand, including performances by the Exeter Cathedral Choir, add to the experience.
The city also hosts the Winter Wonderland event, featuring an ice rink and Santa’s Grotto.
At the Food Stalls
- Devonshire Cream Tea: Traditional warm scone heaped with clotted cream and locally made jam.
- Pasties: A Devon classic, stuffed with beef, potatoes, swede and onions.
- Mulled Wine and Cider: Spiced hot drinks.
- International Cuisines: Spanish paella, Greek gyros, Hungarian langos and Italian stone-baked pizza to name a few.
- Artisan Chocolates: Devon has a vibrant artisan food scene, and that includes chocolate.
- Fudge: Devon is renowned for its creamy fudge, with flavours ranging from vanilla to more festive combinations like mince pie or gingerbread. Try a piece, or take home a selection box.
- Hot Roasted Chestnuts: The classic snack.
- Bratwurst: For a taste of Germany, enjoy a bratwurst sausages served in a roll.
What to Buy
- Devonshire Honey: Quality honey and honey-based gifts.
- Chocolates: Beautifully packaged boxes of chocolate.
- Pottery: Mugs, decorative pieces and more.
- Woolly Hats: Local makers make these hats using British wool in traditional Aran or Fair Isle patterns.
- Traditional Toys: Wooden toys, animals and puzzles.
- Devon Cider: Traditional brews or flavoured varieties.
- Unique Jewellery: Silver, beaded or created from local sea glass.
- Books: Showcasing books by local authors.
Things to Do in Winter
Exeter is expecting over 600,000 visitors this winter. While you’re in the area, there are several interesting attractions worth checking out.
- At the heart of the city, Exeter Cathedral stands as a focal point. Its Gothic architecture is a striking sight, especially with the market set up nearby. Inside, explore centuries-old details and join an occasional free tour led by a local guide.
- Beneath Exeter High Street, the Underground Passages is a unique experience. These medieval tunnels can be explored through guided tours that reveal the city’s hidden history.
- The Royal Albert Memorial Museum showcases Exeter and Devon’s history. The exhibits and galleries provide insight into the region’s past.
- For cinema enthusiasts, The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum is dedicated to the art and history of film. It’s a fascinating stop to learn about cinema’s impact on society.
- A short trip from the city, Powderham Castle shows a glimpse into over 600 years of history.
Sustainable Travel Tips
- Public Transportation: Use Exeter’s bus and train services, such as Great Western Railway and Stagecoach South West, to reduce car use.
- Eco-Friendly Hotels: Book a hotel that prioritises renewable energy and energy conservation practices.
- Farm-to-Table Dining: Dine at restaurants like The Plant Cafe that focus on locally sourced ingredients, supporting sustainable agriculture.
- Reusable Shopping Bags: Bring your own shopping bag to reduce plastic waste when shopping in Exeter.
- Ethical Products: Look for vendors selling ethically sourced goods to support sustainable and responsible consumption.
- Food Waste: Be mindful to only buy or order what you can eat.
- Cycling: Explore Exeter by bike using the city’s bike-friendly routes and rental services.
Comment below if you want to leave a Xmas review, have any questions or would like to report any inaccuracies.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. While we make every effort to provide accurate information, the dates and details listed here should not be relied upon. Please consult the official website before booking your trip or planning a visit.
how many stalls on average are there?
At least 100 market stalls.
We traveled from weymouth to Exeter Christmas markets and met friends from crediton it was really lovely
Glad to hear it, thanks Helen!