The ultimate family day out this Christmas

Festive fun, shopping, snowfalls, special characters and more

Discover an enchanted winter, take gorgeous selfies with our giant baubles; meet fun festive characters; see the big lights switch-on with cheeky elves and pass the parcel; twirl in snow; eat delicious food and make family memories at Cineworld, the newly arrived Spinners, Paradise Island Golf and Boom Battle Bar.

You’ll also discover amazing gifts that’ll leave them wowed – all at Drake Circus and The Barcode this Christmas.

Our big Christmas lights switch-on

From 3.30pm, Thursday 16th November

Join us for festive fun as part of our Christmas light switch-on event! We’ll be joined by the Parcel Rascals who’ll be turning Drake Circus into a giant game of pass the parcel (under each layer is a festive gift and a description of whom the parcel should be passed to next).

We’ll also be welcoming the Elf & Safety team who’ll be on hand to ensure customers are maintaining hydration, carrying their bags correctly and crossing the threshold into shops with caution! With clipboard in hand and hard hat on head, watch them work their magic with straight faces and ridiculous rules. You can find our mischievous friends roaming across Drake Circus and The Barcode between 3.30-7.30pm.

Plus, don’t miss the start of our snow flurries: every day at 4pm at our Old Town Street entrance. And finally, join us in counting down to the big lights switch-on at 5pm!

Meet fabulously festive characters

With Merry Christmas Mice, an Arctic Polar Bear and The Snow Princess Portrait Artist coming to Drake Circus – children and adults of all ages will be delighted. They’ll also be joined by the brilliant Nutcracker and Spinderella leading interactive stories and the North Pole Postal Service, starring Nena the youthful reindeer and her trusty steward Pickle the postperson, who are checking if you’re on the nice list.

Find out when they’re visiting here

Festive selfie baubles, Thursday 16th November-Sunday 31st December

The whole family will want to be snapped in our festive baubles! Are you ready for your elfie selfie?

Let it snow! Thursday 16th November-Sunday 24th December

Drake Circus will be making it snow! Join us at 4pm each day at our Old Town Street entrance for our festive flurries and be sure to get your Christmas jumpers ready for some perfect snowy selfies.

Eat, drink and be merry

Drake Circus and The Barcode has incredible bars and restaurants serving up delicious food, drinks and desserts that kids (and adults) will love.

Image provided by Zizzi

For fun festive menus, head to Las Iguanas for bottomless brunches and welcoming kids’ menus and Zizzi’s special festive menu; out-of-this-world sundaes and waffles at Kaspa’s Desserts or enjoy some tasty street food on the go at Five Guys, Nando’s, Slim Chickens and Yo!.

Christmas holiday days out together

Image provided by Spinners

For brilliant days out that’ll get you moving and celebrating together, head to Spinners – the brand new darts, bowling and clayshot destination for amazing food, drinks and fun. With inspired Christmas packages (under 18s are welcome until 6pm), it’s a great way to get friends and family together for a Yuletide celebration.

The Barcode is also home to the brilliantly entertaining Boom Battle Bar (AR axe throwing and darts, shuffleboard and much more – with under 18s welcome until 7pm) and Paradise Island Golf, a tropical adventure of crazy golf that’s ideal for all ages. With special offers, food and drink, book now for the holidays.

Image provided by Cineworld

Cineworld’s Christmas is all about family days out. The Marvels is out 10th November, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes on 17th and Wonka on 8th December. Book here

Find toys for their wishlists and gorgeous gifts for under the tree

Image provided by Marks & Spencer

Drake Circus and The Barcode is the most wonderful place to find gifts for everyone you love. From Marks & Spencer hampers to luxe finds at Breitling and Apple, we’ve got something original they’ll love. Don’t miss The Entertainer and Tiger for kids’ toys and stocking fillers.

Quiz, Levi’s, Primark, Seasalt, Pandora and Next have all the most-wanted fashion and accessories as well as Lush, Rituals and  Boots for essential beauty finds. Oh, and for Santa’s Christmas Eve treats, there’s Hotel Chocolat. Happy shopping!

From 16th November, more than 30 of Drake Circus’s stores will be open until 9pm on Thursday; please check with The Barcode’s bar and restaurants for opening times. 

It’s super easy for families to get here. If you’re travelling by train, we’re just under 15 minutes’ walk from Plymouth train station and, if you prefer to drive, then we have more than 2,000 spaces at our car parks.

There are designated children-and-parent and disabled spaces plus six electric charging points at Drake Circus and six at the Barcode. Download the trust app to pay quickly and easily.