Drake Circus to celebrate 20th anniversary with wonderland-themed birthday weekend

2nd October 2026

Drake Circus is celebrating 20 years at the heart of Plymouth with a Wonderland-inspired birthday weekend, featuring family entertainment, live performances, giveaways and community celebrations.

Running from Saturday 3^rd to Monday 5^th October, the milestone weekend marks the start of a year-long programme of celebratory events and experiences at Drake Circus and is sponsored by CIS Security.

Inspired by Alice in Wonderland, the celebration will see the centre transformed into a playful Wonderland, with visitors invited to follow trails, meet curious characters, take part in creative activities and enjoy birthday surprises along the way.

On Monday 5^th October, Drake Circus will also host its biggest birthday giveaway to date, with prizes up for grabs every hour between 10am and 4pm, including festival weekend tickets, shopping vouchers, retailer gifts, dining experiences, family attractions and beauty bundles.

Greg Lumley, centre director at Drake Circus and The Barcode, said: “Reaching 20 years is a huge milestone for Drake Circus, and this birthday is a celebration of all the people who have made the centre what it is today – from the families, shoppers and visitors who come through our doors every week, to the retailers, restaurants and local partners who have helped shape its place in the city.

“We wanted to mark the occasion with something that feels fun, memorable and open to everyone, while also shining a light on the local people who make Plymouth so special. The birthday weekend is just the start of a year of activity, so we’d love people from across Plymouth to come along, enjoy the celebrations and be part of what’s next for Drake Circus.”

Full details of the birthday weekend include:

• Alice in Wonderland character appearances – Across Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th October, visitors can step into the world of Alice in Wonderland, with Alice and her curious friends appearing throughout the centre from 11:30am to 4pm for meet-and-greets and photo opportunities.
• Family activities and workshops – Families can enjoy the storytelling sessions, face painting, glitter stations, craft workshops and bubbleologist performances as part of the weekend’s free entertainment. On Saturday 3rd October, face painting will run from 10am to 4pm and storytelling sessions from 11am to 3pm, with Bubbles le Fae also performing in Old Town Square from 11am.
• Live music and performances – With support from Plymouth BID, Saturday’s entertainment will spill out into Old Town Square and the surrounding city centre, with Crooked Tempo Samba Band, Bubbles le Fae, Black Friday Band and King Dinosaur Band performing throughout the day, alongside roving Wonderland performers including a unicycling Mad Hatter juggler and Queen of Hearts stilt walker.
• Mad Hatter’s Tea Party Garden – Families can pause between activities in a themed garden seating area, designed as a playful spot to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the entertainment.
• Wonderland trails and Bumble Bee Pods – Visitors can keep an eye out for Alice in Wonderland hopscotch trails hidden throughout the centre and discover the Wonderland Bumble Bee Pods as they explore.
• Birthday Giveaway – On Monday 5^th October, Drake Circus’ official birthday, visitors can enter the centre’s biggest birthday giveaway to date by finding the hidden birthday QR code, scanning it and entering on the day. Prizes will be available every hour between 10am and 4pm.
• Retailer prizes and offers – Visitors will be in with the chance of winning festival weekend tickets, shopping vouchers, retailer gifts, fragrance prizes, dining experiences, family attractions, beauty bundles and surprise rewards throughout the day.

The celebrations continue as Student Night returns to the centre on Wednesday 7^th October, giving students the chance to enjoy exclusive offers, discounts and entertainment at Drake Circus from 6pm to 9pm and The Barcode from 6pm to 11pm.

For more information and to plan your visit, head to: www.drakecircus.com/drake-circus-turns-20.