Plan the best Christmas family days out in Plymouth, 2025

Snow flurries, festive films, live entertainment and more at Drake Circus and The Barcode

’Tis the reason – from twinkling lights and snow flurries to characters bringing the Christmas joy alongside fabulous gifting, movies and meals out, Drake Circus and The Barcode in Plymouth are the places to be this season.

Plus we’ve got a very special line-up for all ages. Merry Christmas one and all!

See the big Christmas lights switch on, Thursday 13th November 

Join us from 3.30pm as we switch-on our amazing Christmas lights. Sing along to your favourite holiday hits with the Elf-a-Oke team and be dazzled by our Merry Magician, who’ll be showing off sleight-of-hand tricks and seasonal surprises.

Don’t miss the magical moment at 4pm when snow flurries fall at our Old Town Street entrance ahead of our big light switch-on at 5pm.

Let it snow, every day at 4pm from Thursday 13th November to Christmas

Join us for a magical moment every day as gentle snow flurries transform your visit to Drake Circus into a winter wonderland.

Meet and greet our Christmas characters

The Mean Green One, Sunday 23rd November and Sunday 14th December

He’s green, he’s grumpy and he’s coming to steal the spotlight (but maybe not Christmas!). Our hilariously grouchy holiday guest is bringing the perfect dose of cheeky charm.

The Elf, Thursday 27th November and Thursday 18th December

Get ready to spread Christmas cheer by singing loud for all to hear! Our festive Elf has tumbled straight out of the candy cane forest and is bursting with joy, laughter and holiday spirit. He’s here to make your visit truly magical.

Merry Magician and Sweet Stars, Thursday 4th December

Join us for an enchanting evening with a sprinkle of stardust and a dash of sweetness. Our Merry Magician will be weaving wonder while the sweet stars float through in their dazzling costumes, sharing smiles and delicious star-shaped treats.

Celebrate Christmas together with family

From grandparents to grandchildren, come together at Drake Circus and The Barcode for inspired celebrations to suit everyone.

Zizzi has three-course set menus from £29.95 with Bambini menus offering smaller portions of pizza and pasta; Brewdog offers burger buffets and pizza parties (plus four-legged friends are welcome) while Franco Manca has four Christmas courses for £35 and pizza, drink and ice-cream for the kids at £8.25.

Meanwhile, Las Iguanas has a Christmas special selection of seasonal tapas (don’t miss the Loaded Festive Nachos topped with pulled turkey, crumbled stuffing, mozzarella and camembert) with Ninos Meals featuring drinks, main of burgers, mac’n’cheese and chicken nuggets plus desserts of warm chocolate brownie and ice-cream.

Let them go wild at Wild Things Play

If they need to blow off some steam over the Christmas holidays, Wild Things has a festive grotto, climbing frames, sensory play, a crafting corner and more to keep them entertained. Follow them on Instagram to find out special events @wildthingsplayprojectplymouth.

Head to Spinners for fun games

Under-18s are welcome at Spinners until 6pm (please double check at time of booking) so you can enjoy fun games together including clayshot, interactive darts, electric golf, shuffleboard and duckpin bowling alongside nachos and fizzy drinks for the winners.

Have a festive day out at Paradise Island Adventure Golf

Take on the two 18-hole Paradise Island Adventure Golf courses as a family across 16,000 accessible sq/ft of tropical utopia. Families of four can get tickets for £37.50 and the courses are pram and wheelchair friendly. Ho-ho-hole in one!

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Magical family days out at the movies

Plan some of (most) wonderful times out this Christmas with a family trip to the movies – with added popcorn and pick’n’mix, of course.

There’s magic and wonder as the final chapter of Wicked arrives on 21st November; mismatched bunny and fox Detectives Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde are back in the brilliant Zootropolis 2 (28th November) while Avatar: Ash and Fire (19th December) is set to be the holiday season’s most epic adventure of all.

Head to Cineworld where there will be family-favourite classics for all ages too. Altogether now: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Hungry before or after? Pop into Kaspa’s Desserts for delicious puddings, pancakes and a kids’ menu of sundaes, waffle sandwiches and gelato or grab kids’ favourites from Wild Things Cafe, Bubble Citea, Krispy Kreme, Burger King, Yo!, Five Guys, Starbucks, Slim Chickens and Nando’s.

Bring their Santa wishlist to life

Conjure up the perfect Christmas morning with thoughtful gifts for kids, partners, parents and friends. Marks & Spencer, Oliver Bonas, Primark, Next, Mango, Boots and Superdrug have everything from matching pyjama sets to fabulous stocking fillers or find wonderful surprises for big presents at Breitling, The Entertainer, Rituals, Hotel Chocolat and Victoria’s Secret.

Open late so everyone can make the most of Christmas

The Barcode is open till late (please check with individual outlets; closed Christmas Day only).

From 13th November, Drake Circus will be open late on Thursdays from 9am-9pm, Christmas Eve 8am-5pm, Boxing Day 9am-6pm, New Year’s Eve 9am-6pm and New Year’s Day 10.30am-4.30pm.

It’s easy to get to Drake Circus and The Barcode via car and public transport (find out more here) plus we have easy parking and family-friendly facilities. Follow us @drakecircus and share your festive photos; sign up for the latest news.