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Winter of family fun coming to Plymouth’s Waterfront
6th November 2019
Families can wrap up warm and enjoy wintry fun along the waterfront with the return of the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-on and the Polar Bear Explorer trail.
On Sunday 1 December, Southside Street will be filled with festive cheer for the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-on. There will be free family entertainment from 12pm, including biscuit making with CaterED in the Tourist Information, a Christmas Grotto from Higher Beings and performances from local choirs.
Father Christmas will arrive on the RNLI lifeboat outside Cap’n Jaspers at around 4.30pm to spread festive cheer, but watch out for the Grinch who will be roaming the streets and looking to cause chaos.
The Lord Mayor will then join the popular festive characters aboard an open top bus, courtesy of Plymouth Citybus, on Southside Street to switch the lights on at 5pm.
This year, the Christmas Lights Switch-on takes place on the same weekend as light-based festival Illuminate, which is expanding this year with activity on the Barbican to enjoy too.
Also beginning on 1 December is the Polar Bear Explorer. Following its popularity last year, the trail will return with 20 polar bear cubs hidden in businesses from Royal William Yard to Millbay, the Barbican to Sutton Harbour and Bretonside.
Trail booklets, available from participating retailers, the Tourist Information Centre or the Visit Plymouth website, include a comic strip which tells the story of George the polar bear cub and how climate change is affecting his environment in a way that is easy for children to understand. Each section of the comic book is missing a key word, which you’ll be able to fill in when you find the matching polar bear cub.
There are some great prizes up for grabs depending on how many of the polar bear cubs you find, from a BMX bike to a behind-the-scenes tour of the National Marine Aquarium or an Eco-Kids starter kit. Young explorers have until 1 March to find all the cubs and enter the competition.
There will also be an extra special golden polar bear waiting to be found in Southside Street. Find him to enter an additional competition to win one of three WWF polar bear adoption packs, by sharing a selfie and making a pledge to help the environment.
Sarah Gibson, Waterfront Manager and Chief Executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership BID, said: “The Waterfront is so much more than just a summer destination. With fantastic unique and independent retailers, some of the city’s best eateries and brilliant family friendly events, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the winter months, whether you’re Christmas shopping or just looking to spend quality time with your family.”
Find out more about Christmas in Plymouth.