Follow Us

Christmas Lights Switch-On

Armada Way
Plymouth
Devon
PL1 2AA

Add Christmas Lights Switch-On to your Itinerary

Performers on stage at Plymouth Christmas Lights Switch-on

About us

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas from Morgan Sindall Construction

The Christmas calendar officially kicks off with the switch-on of this year’s spectacular Christmas lights on Thursday 16 November, sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction, adding festive sparkles and colour to the city centre, and highlighting the beginning of the Christmas late-night shopping period – many shops will be open until 9pm every Thursday until 21 December.

Jump to: Entertainment Programme | Access Information | Travel information

Join us from 4pm for a fun filled programme of free, family-friendly entertainment to enjoy on stage in the Piazza. There will be lots of festive treats including performances from local dance, theatre and singing groups.

Switching on the spectacular Christmas lights is West End star Samuel Holmes; as he returns to his Plymouth roots to play Larry the Lion Tamer in the pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Bears at Theatre Royal Plymouth. He will take to the stage at 6.15pm joining Santa and his Elves and the Lord Mayor as they get ready to switch on the city centre's colourful Christmas lights – celebrating the start of Christmas in Plymouth.

The evening will finish with a lively performance from the brilliant Ocean City Groove, who will have the crowds dancing and singing along to their ten piece funk, disco, soul and party band – playing big hits for everyone to enjoy.

This year there will be a 20ft Christmas tree lit with 2,000 fairy lights, located north of Place de Brest, with festive entertainment to encourage shoppers to businesses further up Armada Way.

This festive fun is brought to you by Plymouth City Centre Company and sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction.

This year's illuminations are part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Morgan Sindall

 

Entertainment Programme

4pm to 4.10pm       City College Plymouth Dance

4.20pm to 4.35pm  Stage Stars

4.45pm to 5pm       Rhythm City

5.10pm to 5.25pm  Pauline Quirke Academy

5.35pm to 5.50pm  Plymouth Cheerleaders

6pm to 6.15pm  Italia Conti Plymouth

6.20pm to 6.30pm The big switch-on moment!

6.30pm to 7.30pm  Ocean City Groove

The bright lights and Christmas cheer is being spread right across the city centre, as Drake Circus will also be switching on their Christmas lights on Thursday 16 November. Snow flurries on Old Town Street, giant selfie baubles in the Atrium, plus entertainment starting at 3.30pm, with their Christmas lights switch-on at 5pm. 

 

Access Information

If you have an enquiry relating to access and inclusion needs for this particular event please contact eventaccess@plymouth.gov.uk and an officer will get back to you.

Busy times

We understand that some visitors may perfer to visit when there are fewer people around, and if this is the case for you, we feel the busiest times for the city centre lights switch on will be between 5.45pm and 6.45pm, the Christmas lights will be switched on between 6pm and 6.30pm.

Safe Spaces

There are a number of registered safe spaces near to the Piazza area:

A Safe Place offers help if someone is anxious, scared or at risk while they ar out and about and need support. You can visit the safe spaces website for more information: Search Safe Places. You can also speak with our stewards and and events team who will be identifiable by their hi-vis and lanyards. 

Sensory needs

Make sure you prepare yourself for the busy loud and fun bright atmosphere, some people take ear defenders with them… it’s up to you! Sunglasses are also helpful for really bright lights on the stage, but if these aren’t doable just look down at the floor when they’re too bright.

Go to the side of the main viewing areas, or try standing further up Amada Way away from the stage as this area is usually a lot quieter.  Please speak to one of our stewards or security that will be in hi-vis if you need any help.

*Strobe lighting is not used as part of the entertainment programme on stage. There is expected to be fairground rides in the near vicinity that will have their own music and lighting.

Assessible viewing area

There will be an accessible viewing platform on the Piazza, by House of Fraser.

Information on the night

There will be many stewards across the event around the Piazza, who will always be very happy to help. They will be wearing high viz tabards so please ask them if you have any questions.

Toilets

The closest Public toilets are at the sundial on Armada Way:

There are 3 Disabled toilets (2 include baby changing facilities) you will need a RADAR key for access.

There are also a number of Male and Female public toilets located here (please note you will need to go down a number of steps) there is a small charge for access.

 

How to get here

Bus 

Plymouth Citybus is the main local bus service provider for Plymouth. You can find out which bus you need to catch, where to catch it from and what time it leaves using the journey planner on the Traveline South West website.

Car

Travelling by car to Plymouth is easily accessible from most locations within the UK.

Most driving routes will bring you onto the M5, which eventually merges to become the A38 bringing you directly to Plymouth. If you cross the Tamar Bridge towards Saltash then you've gone too far.

We recommend you use Google Maps to plan the quickest route for you.

Car Parking

Shoppers can take advantage this year, of a brilliant £1 parking offer in the Western Approach car park only, after 3pm on late night shopping days, starting on Thursday 16 November and then each Thursday until 21 December. 

There is plenty more parking available in Plymouth, whether it's in the car parks or street parking. With over 50 car parks and more than 5,200 parking spaces in Plymouth. 19 of these car parks are situated in and around the city centre, varying from short term and long term stays. There are spaces in each car park for disabled badge holders. Standard charges apply.

Find out details on Blue Badge Parking.

Coach

If you're travelling from within the South West the Stagecoach Falcon service connects Plymouth with Exeter, Taunton, Bristol Airport and Bristol City Centre. National Express operates daily coach services to Plymouth from departure points across the UK. For coach tickets and pricing visit their coach website. 

National Express also offers holidays by coach on their Holidays by National Express website, where you can add hotels and attractions to your coach travel and book your next trip to Plymouth in one package.

FlixBus operates a coach service between Plymouth and London, five days a week with additional services running during the summer months. 

Train

Plymouth Station is located an approximate 10 minute walk from the city centre, there are also frequent buses which stop outside the station who will bring you to Royal Parade.

Plymouth is easily accessible by train with a wide range of services running from a variety of locations within England. Although some services may require a change or two.

We recommend using GWR.com to search for the fastest and best route for your journey, and book in advance for the best price. 

Walking and Cycling

The Christmas lights will be switched on at the Piazza, Royal Parade. Walk towards the middle of Royal Parade and cross at the pedestrian crossing if you need to. Why not pick up one of the Beryl Bikes? This is a great way to get around the city. 

Road closures

There are no planned road closures with the Christmas Lights Switch On.

Share your images

Book Tickets

TripAdvisor

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Sorry, this event has passed

What's Nearby

  1. Theatre Royal Plymouth

    The Theatre Royal Plymouth is the largest & best attended regional producing theatre in…

    0.12 miles away
  2. Messenger

    Messenger is the UK's largest bronze statue, created by the Cornish artist Joseph Hillier.

    0.14 miles away
  3. Plymouth City Centre

    Plymouth is the largest centre for shopping in the South West, outside of Bristol, and…

    0.17 miles away
  1. Plymouth Guildhall

    Commanding an imposing position on Royal Parade, Plymouth Guildhall is situated in the…

    0.17 miles away
  2. The Plymouth Athenaeum

    The Plymouth Athenaeum is a charity dedicated to the promotion of learning in science,…

    0.19 miles away
  3. Drake Circus The Barcode

    A new exciting leisure and entertainment destination in Plymouth

    0.24 miles away
  4. Cineworld

    The new cinema will feature 12 state-of-the-art screens including IMAX, the world’s most…

    0.25 miles away
  5. Plymouth Gin Distillery

    Black Friars Distillery, the working home of Plymouth Gin since 1793, is the oldest…

    0.28 miles away
  6. MIRROR at Arts University Plymouth

    MIRROR is an updated public gallery, events programme and online resource based within…

    0.29 miles away
  7. The Arts Institute

    The Arts Institute is the wide-ranging public arts programme of the University of…

    0.3 miles away
  8. ClayArt

    We are a charming pottery painting studio located on the historic Barbican, Plymouth.  A…

    0.31 miles away
  9. Plymouth Pavilions

    The south west's largest purpose-built conference, exhibition and entertainment…

    0.33 miles away
  10. The Barbican

    Tucked behind the quayside in converted wharves and warehouses, you will discover…

    0.34 miles away
  11. The Box Plymouth

    The Box is Plymouth's major award-winning museum, art gallery and archive – located just…

    0.34 miles away
  12. Plymouth Naval Memorial

    Location Information: The Memorial is situated centrally on The Hoe which looks directly…

    0.35 miles away
Previous Next

Search What's Nearby

Product Type
Proximity
Within miles