A Festive Guide to Devon

Christmas in the South Hams

The South Hams is a lovely part of Devon to visit in winter, especially if you enjoy coastal walks, pretty villages and finding somewhere good to eat afterwards.

Torcross and Beesands have an unspoiled feel about them, so they are our choice for a holiday for nature lovers or for those looking for a dog-friendly festive break. Walk the South West Coast Path, follow the beach between the two villages or simply wrap up warm, take a flask and enjoy the sea air. There are plenty of places to stop for lunch, as well as local farm shops for picking up something for later.

In Kingswear, take the ferry across the River Dart to Dartmouth and spend a few hours wandering around the town before catching the ferry back. Nearby, Coleton Fishacre is a lovely festive visit, with a 1920s Christmas theme for 2026.

Salcombe holidays around Christmas time feel extra special with festivities centred around the waterfront pubs and seafood restaurants around the harbour. For a winter walk, the coast path towards Bolt Head is beautiful, or you can follow the quieter estuary route towards Snapes Point.

Key Festive Dates

Christmas Train of Lights: 27 November – 30 December 2026
Salcombe Christmas Lights Switch-On & Community Carols: 1 December 2026
Salcombe Spot the Elf Competition: 7 December 2026
Totnes Christmas Market & Late Night Shopping: 8, 15 and 22 December 2026
Roaring Twenties Christmas at Coleton Fishacre: 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027

Christmas in Torbay

While Torquay, Paignton and Brixham make up Torbay, each town feels completely different from the next. Torquay is really good for families, offering attractions like Kent’s Cavern, The Model Village and Dinosaur World.

Paignton is our choice for an authentic English seaside escape, with its long beaches, lively promenade and pier providing fun and entertainment for both children and adults. Paignton is home to the Christmas Train of Lights, – a vintage steam train is covered in thousands of lights, that travels to Kingswear along the River Dart, and back.

If you love the charm of harbour town, Brixham, is an excellent choice for your festive Devon break. The views over the bay can be enjoyed from nearly every angle, it has dozens of fabulous independent shops, and many excellent restaurants – most with locally caught seafood gracing their menus.

Key Festive Dates

Babbacombe Model Village Christmas Scenes & Illuminations: 22 November 2026 – 4 January 2027
Bay of Lights Illumination Trail: 28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Christmas Train of Lights: 27 November – 30 December 2026
Brixham Seaside Santa Run: 6 December 2026
Torre Abbey Christmas Market and ice rink: Date to be confirmed in December
Lanterns, Lights & ‘Luminations Festival – Brixham Harbour: 20–21 November 2026

Christmas on the North Devon coast

Woolacombe, Croyde, Saunton and Braunton are all lovely places to explore in winter, especially if a wilder coastline appeals to your outdoorsy nature.

Woolacombe is the place for a beach walk or a winter surf. Woolacombe Surf Centre is open all year round for equipment hire and lessons. Croyde is smaller beach with excellent surf and beautiful views across the bay so it’s ideal for a winter beach holiday with a view. Saunton is another lovely option for a beach walk, followed by lunch or a cream tea at Saunton Sands.

There are plenty of festive events taking place there throughout December too. Braunton makes a lovely base for exploring this part of North Devon. It’s worth making time for nearby Appledore, where the quay, little streets and independent shops make for a lovely afternoon. If you fancy a longer walk, drive across to Instow and follow the estuary.

Key Festive Dates

Woolacombe Silent Disco Beach Clean: 29 November 2026
Woolacombe Silent Disco Beach Clean: 24 December 2026
Woolacombe at Christmas: Date to be confirmed
Appledore Christmas Lights Switch-On: Date to be confirmed
Magic of Christmas at The Milky Way Adventure Park: 5, 6, 12, 13 & 19–23 December 2026

Christmas on the Jurassic Coast

If we had to pick our two favourite places for a festive getaway on the Jurassic Coast, Sidmouth and Budleigh Salterton would come out tops. Both towns are very easy to explore on foot, with their main streets right on or near the seafront. Sidmouth is particularly pretty at Christmas. The promenade is lined with Victorian buildings that overlook the sea and there are tons of terrific places to stop in for a lazy breakfast, lunch or supper. The Christmas lights are switched on in November which adds to the atmosphere, and shops stay open til late throughout December.

Budleigh Salterton has a charm of its own. Follow the pebble beach towards the Otter Estuary or take the coast path towards Ladram Bay. If the weather is wild, find somewhere for coffee or lunch and settle in for a while. If you’d like to explore further afield, you can drive to the tiny village of Beer, walk part of the South West Coast Path or drive into Exeter for some Christmas shopping and a wander around the cathedral.

Key Festive Dates

Bicton Christmas Craft Fair & Late Night Shopping: 4 December 2026
Sidmouth Christmas Lights Switch-On: 21 November 2026
Exeter Christmas Shopping Fayre: 27–29 November 2026
Carols by Candlelight at The Donkey Sanctuary: 4 December 2026
Sidmouth Late Night Shopping: 4 December 2026

Christmas at Roadford Lake

Roadford Lake is a completely different sort of festive break. It’s about long walks, beautiful scenery and having a little more space around you. Walk around the lake in the morning, then stop for coffee at the lakeside café. The Roadford Lake Park Circular is a lovely walk, particularly on a crisp winter morning.

There are some lovely places to visit nearby too. Strawberry Fields Farm Shop at Lifton is just right for a cream tea, while The Pint & Post makes a lovely choice for a pub lunch. Tavistock is also worth a visit, particularly when the Pannier Market is open.

For a festive day out, head to Okehampton, where you’ll find Christmas lights, carol singing, stalls, entertainment and late-night shopping. Back at the lake, keep an eye out for seasonal workshops and events. But there’s no need to fill your days. A walk, a pub lunch, some Christmas shopping and an evening back at your cottage is just right.

Key Festive Dates

Okehampton Edwardian Evening & Christmas Lights Switch-On: 3 December 2026
Christmas Wreath Making at Roadford Lake: 12 December 2026
Christmas Experience at Strawberry Fields: Selected dates from 29 November – 23 December 2026