Deck the Malls: Christmas arrives at Drake Circus this week

10th November 2025

Drake Circus and The Barcode will kick start its seasonal celebrations on Thursday (13 November) with the return of its popular annual Christmas Light Switch On and visits from special festive characters. 

The official light switch on will take place at 5:00pm, transforming the centre into a twinkling spectacle, and there’s a ho-ho-whole range of festive activities scheduled throughout the evening to boost Christmas cheer.

The Elf-a-Oke team will be on hand from 3:30pm to get the party started, encouraging visitors to join in and singalong to their favourite holiday hits.

Meanwhile, the Merry Magician will also be roaming the centre throughout the evening, dazzling visitors with sleight of hand tricks and seasonal surprises.

Additionally, adults and children alike will delight in the centre’s magical ‘snow flurries’ at 4:00pm, which will see Drake Circus blanketed in snowfall and transformed into a winter wonderland. Snow flurries will then take place every day until Christmas Eve at the Old Town Street entrance.  

Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus, said: “Our Christmas Light Switch On is a firm favourite in the festive calendar, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors back to kick start this year’s Christmas celebrations together.  

"There’s so much brilliant entertainment throughout the afternoon for all ages - from the Elf-a-Oke team to the talented Merry Magician - making it the perfect evening for families across the local community to come together, celebrate the start of the festive season, and get a head start on their Christmas shopping with our wide range of popular retailers.”

For a full list of Christmas events and to plan your festive day out at Drake Circus and The Barcode, please visit https://www.drakecircus.com/christmas