Barbican Lights Switch-on

About us

Head to the Barbican on Sunday 1 December from midday to 6pm for the annual Christmas Lights Switch on, featuring family-friendly entertainment, free activities and some very special guests!

The entertainment starts at midday in the Tourist Information Centre on the Barbican, with Christmas biscuit decorating with CaterED.

On Quay Square, you can find a Higher Beings’ Christmas Grotto to enjoy, as well as games and crafts with Seventh Plymouth Scout Group.

There will also be a Christmas show from Higher Beings at 2pm, and throughout the afternoon, groups will perform along Southside Street to get the crowds feeling festive.

Watch out from 3pm, as everyone’s favourite festive anti-hero, the Grinch, and partner Martha May Whovier, will be roaming the streets – and they’re likely to be looking for trouble! Also be on the lookout, as you might just spot Elf Stiltwalkers roaming around.

Turning on the lights this year is Father Christmas himself, who will arrive at Cap’n Jaspers at 4.30pm on the RNLI lifeboat. At 5pm, he’ll be helped by the Lord Mayor to switch on the Barbican’s Christmas Lights from the top of an open-top bus, provided by Citybus, on Southside Street.

And new for this year, expect more lights, as illuminate festival at Royal William Yard will be expanding onto the Barbican!

The Polar Bear Explorer also launches the same day - 20 polar bear cubs have been set loose across the waterfront, each with a bear fact that sends a serious message on how single-use plastics are affecting the oceans and the Arctic habitat. During the event you can also collect Polar Bear Explorer trail maps from the Tourist Information Centre or participating businsesses. 

Please note: Southside Street at the junction of Notte Street will be closed between 1pm to 6pm.

 

The Programme

12pm to 4pm....................Christmas Biscuit decorating with CaterED in the Tourist Information Centre

12pm to 4pm....................Higher Beings Christmas Grotto on Quay Square

1pm to 4pm......................Seventh Plymouth Scout Group fundraising games and activities on Quay Square

2pm to 2.45pm.................Higher Beings Christmas Show, outside Pilgrim’s Ice Cream on Southside Street

3pm to 6pm......................The Grinch and Martha May Whovier causing havoc and hijinks around the Barbican

3pm..................................The Sound Council performing on Southside Street (by the bus) 

3.30pm.............................Seventh Plymouth Scout Group Cubs performing on Southside Street (by the bus) 

3.30pm.............................Mayflower A Cappella Chorus performing on Southside Street (outside St Luke’s Hospice)

3.45pm to 4.30pm............Elf Stiltwalkers roaming around the Barbican

4pm..................................Ocean City Sound Barbershop Chorus performing on Southside Street (by the bus) 

4.30pm.............................Santa arrives on the RNLI Lifeboat

5pm..................................Santa and Lord Mayor switch-on the Barbican Christmas lights from Citybus open top bus on Southside Street

5.05pm to 5.50pm............Elf Stiltwalkers roaming around the Barbican

6pm .................................Event Finish