Christmas Chronicle 2022

Christmas

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Plymouth’s Advent Calendar of CHRISTMAS TREATS Plymouth promises to open up an advent calendar of heart-warming Christmas treats this year.

The season starts with the sparkling ceremony to illuminate the city centre, with the Christmas lights switch on taking place on Thursday 17 November. Two days later the festive cheer spreads to the Barbican and Sutton Harbour as their lights go on in another fun-filled event. Look out for Santa as he arrives at the Barbican by RNLI lifeboat, and drifting through the winter air on carols and festive favourites sung by local choirs.

Street performers, festive stalls and even a baby reindeer will all add

to the entertainment and joyful atmosphere.

The Christmas lights always spell the start of the festive shopping rush and there are plenty of opportunities for retail therapy, accompanied by food and drink pitstops, to keep all the family happy.

Plymouth’s shopping hubs, from the city centre and West End to the Barbican and waterfront, are the place to be for shopping in the South West, a magnet for people from all over the region and packed with tempting stores from big brand names - like Hugo Boss - to small independent shops selling unusual and unique goods.

And from Thursday 1 December to Sunday 18 December the city’s retail offering is boosted by a fabulously festive Christmas Market housed in rustic log cabins and bursting with an incredible range of alternative gift ideas – everything from beef biltong to beard supplies, liqueur shots, super-indulgent cakes, artwork and clothing. Make sure to head to the market in Armada Way for some delightfully different gifts.

If all that excitement gets a bit too much, there are plenty of places to rest the weary feet and take a little time out : Drake Circus The Barcode is the city’s new leisure and entertainment destination where you can watch a film on one of

Cineworld’s 14 state-of-the-art cinema screens, including IMAX; play Paradise Island Adventure Golf; enter the battleground at the Boom Battle Bar for axe-throwing, karaoke and more; or dine out with a choice of half a dozen restaurants and bars including Zizzi, Nando’s and BrewDog.

After all, you’ll need to re-charge for the Big Day on Sunday 25 December…

WIN tickets

to Christmas Pantomime Sleeping Beauty Join soap star and panto legend Shane Richie this Christmas at TRP and make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams!

He will be joined by X Factor Winner Matt Terry, the fabulous Ceri Dupree, the hilarious Peter Piper and newcomer Stephanie McKenzie as Sleeping Beauty. Once upon a time in a land far away, the beautiful Princess Aurora is given a twenty-first birthday present by her evil aunt Carabosse. By pricking her finger on an enchanted spinning wheel, she is placed under a cruel curse and forced to sleep for 100 years. Can true love survive and the handsome Prince Charming break the spell? Who will outwit the evil Enchantress and foil her wicked plans? All will be revealed in this spectacular panto packed with magic, music, comedy and special effects.

Answer this question to WIN Family tickets to TRP’s Christmas Pantomime Sleeping Beauty.

In the fairy tale, what does Sleeping Beauty prick her finger on before she falls asleep for 100 years?

Prize Details: Your prize includes up to 6 tickets to TRP’s Christmas Pantomime Sleeping Beauty. Your booking must include a minimum of 1 child under 16 and 1 adult. Tickets are valid across price bands A, B & C for all performances of Sleeping Beauty from Tuesday 3rd January to Saturday 14th January 2023. Tickets must be booked together, are non-transferrable and cannot be used retrospectively or in conjunction with any other offer.

SCAN THIS QR CODE AND FILL OUT OUR ONLINE FORM TO BE IN WITH A CHANCE OF WINNING

If you don’t have access to a computer simply fill in the below entry slip and either drop it into our front of house Box Office, or pop it in the post to us here at: Plymouth Christmas Guide Competition/Marketing Dept, Theatre Royal Plymouth, Royal Parade, Plymouth, PL1 2TR The competition closes at 11:59pm on Sunday 11th December 2022 and the winner will be chosen at random shortly after and contacted directly.

ANSWER: Name: Address: Telephone: Email: How would you like us to keep in contact?

Email:

Yes

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Post:

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Email: susanrock.artist@outlook.com

Instagram: @susanrockartist

Facebook: ONLYOriginals

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The festive spirit will glow brightly in the city centre with the start of the Christmas lights ceremonies – a family-friendly event in The Piazza, on Thursday 17 November.

Then on Saturday, 19 November, the Barbican, Sutton Harbour and Waterfront will glisten with even more Christmas cheer as their lights go on for an afternoon full of festive family fun.

The city centre displays, sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction, always delight shoppers with a particular favourite being the giant bauble arch – a popular selfie spot at the entrance to the Christmas Market on the Piazza.

Follow the FREE Christmas trail across the Barbican's shops and restaurants

Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “Our Christmas lights are always amazing and a real joy for everyone coming into the city centre. We know this is a tough time for everyone in the country but we want to encourage people to shop locally, whatever their spending power, and to really enjoy all that Plymouth has to offer this festive season.

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“We hope they’ll come into the city centre, enjoy the lights and the whole festive experience, browse round our fantastic shops and maybe pop in for drinks or something to eat at one of our many fantastic cafes, bars and restaurants.

Every pound spent locally makes a big difference, helping to put money back into the local economy.”

The Barbican Christmas lights switch-on

The Barbican Christmas lights switch-on event, sponsored

by PL1 Events, will feature free activities and entertainment from 12pm to 6pm. Children can visit Santa in his grotto and give him a wave as he travels across the water on the RNLI boat. Santa will also be travelling around the entire waterfront area on his special bus after he switches on the lights, keep an eye out for him! Local choirs and dance groups will bring festive joy as they perform on The Parade and Southside Street. There will be Christmas-themed street performers entertaining the crowds, plus storytelling, rides to have a go on and stalls selling delicious Christmas treats and gifts.

Follow the free Christmas trail across the Barbican’s shops and restaurants, and pick up some unique Christmas gifts or enjoy some festive refreshments along the way.

Look out for the festive bus on Southside Street, which will host the special guests switching on the Christmas lights at approximately 5.30pm. They will include the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Sue Dann and your local unsung Community Hero for 2022, someone who has gone above and beyond to support the community.

Jon Walton, Chief Executive of Plymouth Waterfront Partnership, said: “The Barbican and waterfront offer a unique environment for a wonderful, atmospheric Christmas experience. We have added to the entertainment programme for this year’s event, sponsored by PL1 Events, and provided some market stalls to add yet even more choice. We are partnering with the RNLI, who will be taking Santa on a full waterfront trip on their lifeboat and finishing on the Barbican. This will provide all customers with a really sea themed and exciting Christmas lights switch-on event.

“We believe our huge mix of traders offer something completely different and complement those of the city centre, so why go anywhere else other than Plymouth? A very happy Christmas to all of our customers, we all hope you have a fabulous time.”

parking £1 up to 1 hour

Meet Santa and his helpers Win Panto tickets for you and your family at Theatre Royal Plymouth 3rd, 10th & 17th of December

FREE competition running in the market throughout December

Exciting entertainment and events throughout December Find out more on online.

Scan the QR code to visit our website and find out more

www.plymouthmarket.co.uk

Everything under one roof Fresh, local produce from our friendly stallholders.

Unique gifts & homewares from our independent traders.

Enjoy lunch with friends, family or by yourself.

plymouth_market

Plymouth Market

plymouthmarket

Sponsored by

City Centre Lights Switch On 17 November Join us for a fun-filled family event from 4pm with the big switch on from 6 – 6.30pm, when Christmas officially commences!

Saturday 19 November 2022 12pm to 6pm

visitplymouth.co.uk Supported by Morgan Sindall Construction

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Plymouth Christmas Market

Plymouth Christmas Market is the gift that keeps on giving throughout the festive shopping rush.

Located in Armada Way in the heart of the city centre and running from Thursday, 1 December to Sunday 18 December, it’s the South West’s go to destination for individual and unique presents.

And with an open-air festive bar and stalls offering food and drink and artisan gifts, it’s the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit.

Rustic wooden cabins will house traders from the South West and beyond, selling everything from clothing, accessories and jewellery to books, artwork and decorations from stalls including Olivia’s House, Grove Beard Supplies and Kaya Gallery.

Credit: Adobe Stock

Foodie fans are in for a treat too, as there are plenty of delicious sweet and savoury goodies to indulge in. Pick-up Greek olives and antipasti or tuck into traditional Turkish baklava.

For the seriously sweet-toothed

there’s a mouth-watering range of baked goods on offer, including flapjacks, fudge, cronuts, cookies, cakes, brownies and biscuits, from popular local traders Flapjackery, Daamn Good Bakes and The Early Bird who have recently opened a café in the city centre.

There’s also an array of fabulous entertainment to enjoy at the Market with acts including: •

Hot House Combo – fourpiece band inspired by the great musicians of the 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s

•

Devonport Park Community Choir friendly mixed community choir

•

Manuka – Bohemian two-piece acoustic covers band

•

Rock Choir – local contemporary choir

•

Ailie Kenna – singer songwriter

•

Glen Park Primary Choir amazing school choir

•

The Sea Choir - 45 strong mixed-voice acappella

folk choir •

Italia Conti performing arts students

•

LaLa Choir – modern, pop, jazz, soul, Motown, funk, rock, hip hop and, very occasionally, religious choir

•

Cure Parkinson’s Choir – Christmas carols sung in aid of Parkinson’s charity

•

Gypsy Dreams – gypsy music from across Europe and beyond

And don’t forget to snap a festive family selfie in front of the giant illuminated bauble arch and the ‘wave arch’, which stand at each of the Market entrances.

Share them on socials using #ChristmasInPlymouth.

The Christmas Market will be open from 10am until 6pm Monday to Saturday until 5pm on Sunday, with late openings every Thursday until 9pm, so you can take your time and enjoy browsing the stalls under the sparkling city centre Christmas lights.

Christmas Shopping in Plymouth:

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE something for the person who has everything?

Look no further.

Stroll along Southside Street to Elsie Bootique Wax Melts, with artisan wax melts and candles, and Nook Houseplants, teeming with unusual flowers and plants. Then see some amazing art galleries for stunning paintings, prints and homewares crafted from glass, clay and metal.

If you’re buying for a gin fan – or preparing for Christmas cocktails – then you’re in luck.

The Barbican is home to Plymouth Gin Distillery and its shop selling its famous gins, gorgeous glasses and jugs. On New Street is the Barbican Botanics Gin Rooms – offering their own gin and rum alongside more than 200 other gins. And in nearby Sutton Harbour, HonkyTonk Wine Library, a shop and wine lounge, stocks more than 250 wines.

Photo Credit: Guy Harris / Drake Circus

‘Tis the season to be shopping… and Plymouth is the place to indulge.

With gifts, foodie treats and decorations all waiting to be ticked off the Christmas list, Plymouth is the shopping host with the most – from quirky independent stores offering unique products unavailable anywhere else to the big brand stores we all know so well. We’ve compiled a handy guide to point you in the right direction for a sackful of festive treasures.

City Centre Plymouth city centre is home to an impressive range of shops, including some High Street favourites.

For big brands head to Drake Circus where they’re all under one roof – and with parking on site. Everything from clothing and jewellery to toiletries and perfume is on offer here.

Venturing out of Drake Circus, more brilliant options for gifts along New George Street, Cornwall Street and Armada Way include House of Fraser, designer clothing store Flannels and more: Menkind, The Body Shop, HMV and B&M.

and semi-precious stone jewellery.

The West End is also home to specialist jewellers and goldsmiths Robins Brothers, who design and make treasured pieces, and traditional family jewellers Wray & Co, established in 1887, who are passionate about pre-owned and antique jewellery.

The city centre Christmas parking offer is back, Plymouth City Council are providing parking for just £1 after 3pm at the Western Approach car park every late night shopping Thursday, starting on November 17 for the Christmas lights switch-on, right through to Christmas.

This is perfect for shoppers who want to find something that little bit different from one of the many independent traders in the West End or from the stallholders in Plymouth Market.

Please note this offer does not apply to the ground floor of the car park which is pay and display.

The Barbican, Sutton Harbour and Waterfront The waterfront boasts a superb range of art galleries, antique stores and unusual independent shops. Seeking

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The West End A treasure trove of independent shops and the 150-stall Plymouth Market, the West End is the place to visit for extra-special gifts and fresh produce. Butchers and greengrocers sell everything for Christmas dinner, florists create beautiful festive bouquets and there are wonderful bakeries and cafes. Visit Fresh Flower Scent in Cornwall Street for beautiful houseplants and fresh blooms. Or pop into Crystals in Market Avenue for minerals, fossils

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Christmas Market Armada Way or Waterstones, WH Smith, The Box, Mayflower Visitor Centre or via 01752 705337

The Barbican’s Mayflower Museum and Tourist Information shop has perfect presents for locals and visitors with its wide range of locally-made products, confectionary and local interest books.

Royal William Yard Browse the unique women’s clothing Identity Fashion or pop into the creative hub of Ocean Studies for pieces by local makers.

Treat yourself to handmade chocolates from the award-winning chocolatier Domea Favour or visit Le Vignoble for a choice of 300 wines.

Plymouth truly has something for everyone.

Plymouth’s Christmas Gift Guide: FOR THE JANNER IN YOUR LIFE It may be the most wonderful time of the year but Plymouth offers magical experiences all year round. So, if you’re having trouble finding the perfect gift for the Janner in your life, it may well pay to look close to home.

There’s always so much to entertain in Britain’s Ocean City that the options are wide and varied – something for even the trickiest recipient.

We’ve compiled a guide with a few unusual gifts, things you may not have considered, to help give friends and family members the present they deserve this year.

Book an experience Why not think outside the box this Christmas and instead of a physical gift, treat your loved one to something they can do only in Plymouth?

Choose from a huge range of

experiences including: Smeaton’s Tower Experience, the ultimate gin tour, including a climb to the top of the iconic lighthouse, hosted by Plymouth Gin’s master distiller; become a zookeeper for the day at Dartmoor Zoo; meeting some of the ocean’s most stunning animals in a snorkel safari in the National Marine Aquarium’s Atlantic Ocean Tank; and catching your own dinner with a Fish ‘n’ Trips session with Plymouth Boat Trips.

For more information on experiences to enjoy in Plymouth explore visitplymouth.co.uk

Treat your loved ones (and yourself!) to fine jewellery Robins Brothers, fine jewellers and very experienced goldsmiths have grown and nurtured a reputation second to none. They design and create their incredible range of high quality jewellery at their premises in Plymouth.

For more information, please visit robinsbrothers.co.uk

Book tickets to a show With Plymouth’s Theatre Royal, one of the UK’s largest and best regional theatres, right on our doorstep we are always in for a real treat. Join soap star and panto legend Shane Richie this Christmas at Theatre Royal Plymouth and make Sleeping Beauty the pantomime of your dreams!

Seats for a show in 2023 are sure to be just the ticket and there are some wonderful performances to choose from, including: Room on the Broom, the family favourite

based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler; Swan Lake, the hauntingly beautiful ballet featuring Tchaikovsky’s legendary score; Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, the world’s longestrunning play on its 70th anniversary tour, and Dinosaur World Live, a roarsome interactive show for all the family with a post-show meet and greet.

For more information, please visit theatreroyal.com

Make Christmas extra special with fresh flowers Offering a huge range of different custom bouquets and high-quality flowers, Fresh Flowers Scent go

the extra mile to ensure your special message is conveyed through their creations. Ask about gift boxes, next day delivery and their knowledgeable, friendly, specialised advise that really make a difference.

For more information, please visit plymouth.freshflowerscentflorist. co.uk

Indulge in luxury chocolates Visit Domea Favour in Royal William Yard – this renowned Chocolatier creates a whole range of chocolatebased delights. They also personalise your chocolate gifts and favours, with co-ordinated ribbons to add that extra special touch.

For more information, please visit domeafavourchocolate.co.uk

Please check visitplymouth.co.uk/Christmas for all the latest information.

All events subject to change.