Christmas on the Barbican begins this weekend!

10th November 2025

This Saturday (15 November) marks the starts of this year’s festivities on Plymouth’s waterfront with the annual Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On.

Santa will once again make a stop in Plymouth, with some help with his friends at Plymouth’s RNLI who will bring him ashore in the Barbican, and join the Lord Mayor, this year’s nominated Community Hero and guests, to do the big switch on.

This year’s Plymouth Waterfront Partnership Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On event is held in association with Dartmoor Zoo.

Sarah Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership: “The Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On is such a special community event here in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.

A huge thank you to all the waterfront businesses - from our independent shops and galleries to our pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and offices - whose support and energy make this celebration possible and light up the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Bretonside and Millbay Park throughout the festive season.

Thank you also to our sponsors this year, Dartmoor Zoo, Cattewater Harbour and PL1 Events, their support is hugely valued in ensuring the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On sparkles and brings some joy this season.”

Dr David Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, Dartmoor Zoo: “The team at Dartmoor Zoo are absolutely thrilled to support the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership with this year's launch event for the Barbican and waterfront Christmas Lights. We're looking forward to joining the thousands of people who turn out each year for the switch-on event.

"As a local charity we always try to support family focused community events, and we wish the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership every success for this event and for future ones."

The Barbican will be full of festive family fun from midday on Saturday with a wide range of stalls, entertainment and activities, ahead of the Christmas Lights Switch On. There will be a range of free and paid-for children’s activities including face-painting, bouncy fun in the snow globe, and Christmas story-telling in The Maritime.

Local choirs and dance schools will light up the main stage, sponsored by Cattewater Harbour, throughout the afternoon before Santa arrives. There will also be a programme of performers, including The Salvation Army, singing Christmas carols on West Pier. With thanks to PL1 Events for being this year’s production partner.

Gables will also be hosting their popular Dog Show on Commercial Wharf from 2pm until 3.30pm. Entry is £2 per class with all proceeds going to Gables.

Santa is expected to arrive via the Barbican Landing Stage, near to The Mayflower Steps, at approximately 4.30pm, and the Barbican Christmas Lights will be switched on at approximately 5.15pm.

Find out more about the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On.