With the evenings drawing in and Christmas drawing near, a trip to see some Christmas lights is a great excuse to wrap up warm and enjoy a little festive cheer.

We’ve rounded up six of the best Christmas lights and illuminations experiences in Devon for 2026 to get you and your family into the Christmas spirit.

Paignton – Christmas Train of Lights

If you’re a fan of Christmas lights but not so keen on trudging around in the cold, this could be just the ticket! The Train of Lights sees the vintage steam train and its carriages transformed with thousands of lights, so the festive fun starts before you’ve even left the station.

Setting off from Paignton, the train follows the Dartmouth Steam Railway towards Kingswear, passing through the 450-metre Greenway Tunnel and an illuminated woodland along the way. There’s also a chance to catch views of Dartmouth’s Christmas lights twinkling across the River Dart on the return journey.
The trip takes around 80 minutes, and for younger passengers (and probably a few grown-ups too!), there are dates when Santa makes an appearance too.

Where? Queen’s Park Station, Paignton
When? Selected dates from 27 November – 30 December 2026
Cost? Adults £31.50, children aged 3–15 £24 and family tickets from £105. Advance booking essential

Stay in Paignton

Torquay – Bay of Lights Illumination Trail

Torquay’s Bay of Lights returns for 2026 and it’s a cracker! The 1.5-mile trail which follows the seafront features 19 main illuminations and 11 more wonderful displays. Newly added this year are interactive smoke bubbles in Abbey Gardens’ Rainbow Maze and a sound and light experience at The Banjo.

Torre Abbey’s Christmas Market adds even more magic to the event and runs from 28th November to 20th December, plus a covered (real) ice rink at Abbey Park piles on the winter hygge.

Where? Torquay seafront, Abbey Gardens, Torre Abbey and Abbey Park
When? Illumination Trail and ice rink: 28 November 2026 – 3 January 2027, daily from 4.30pm–11pm.
Christmas Market: 28 November – 20 December
Cost? Illumination Trail and Christmas Market are free entry. Ice skating requires prebooking: Book Tickets Here

And while you’re in Torquay…

Little ones might also enjoy a visit to Father and Mother Christmas at Torre Abbey, where they can explore the festive Winter Wonderland, meet the Christmas couple and receive a present.

Where? Torre Abbey, Torquay
When? 5–6, 12–13 and 19–20 December 2026, 10am–4pm
Cost? £15 per child. Accompanying adults go free (up to two adults per booking). Book tickets here

Photo credit: Bay of Lights Illumination Trail

Stay in Torquay

Brixham – Lanterns, Lights & ‘Luminations

Brixham and its community know how to put on a fabulous Christmas celebration! Its annual Lanterns, Lights & ‘Luminations weekend has been running since 2007, and the town will once again be pulling out all the stops for 2026.

The event kicks off with a lantern parade, Christmas lights switch-on, street market and live entertainment, and finishes with a stunning fireworks over the harbour. Two days of festivities for all the family plus a bit of Christmas shopping!

Where? The Quay and Brixham town centre
When? Friday 20 – Saturday 21 November 2026
Cost? Free

Brixham holiday cottages

The Polar Express – Buckfastleigh

If you’ve watched the film, you’ll know the magic we’re talking about, and this experience is first-class! Children (and grown-ups!) can climb aboard in their pjs for a Christmas steam train adventure to the North Pole.

There’s singing and dancing with the chefs, hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit from Santa himself, who presents everyone with the famous silver sleigh bell – the first gift of Christmas. Just like the movie!

Where? Buckfastleigh Station, South Devon Railway
When? Selected dates: 27–29 November, 4–6 December, 11–13 December and 18–23 December 2026
Cost? £35.95–£52.95 per person, depending on date and time. Under-twos sitting on an adult’s lap £5. Book tickets here

South Hams Holiday cottages

Powderham Castle – Christmas at the Castle

One not to be missed! This year, Powderham Castle piles on the magic with a 2.5km illuminated Light Walk and stunning light displays. *Venture inside and dicover the beautiful interior of this historic home festively decorated to the max too!

A Festive Marquee will be serving delicious food and drink too so you can grab a hot chocolate or something to eat as you embark on your adventure. And for younger visitors, Father Christmas will be welcoming children to his grotto on selected dates, with a present included for every child with a grotto ticket.

Where? Powderham Castle, Kenton, near Exeter
When? 29 November – 30 December 2026, 4.15pm–8.30pm (last entry 7.30pm)
Cost? Adults £11, children aged 3–16 £8.80 and under-threes go free. Book tickets here

*Castle visits and the grotto are additional

 

Stay near Exeter

RHS Rosemoor – Glow

Garden lovers, this one’s for you! RHS Rosemoor’s Glow is celebrating its tenth anniversary in 2026, with a brand-new route and eight new light installations to explore.

The trail winds through the gardens, taking in a neon-outlined ancient oak, glowing daisies, a field of illuminated poppies and the Devon Heritage Orchard, which is included on the route for the first time this year.

There’s also an interactive light and sound installation where you can create different colours and musical notes by walking and dancing across illuminated floor buttons. And if that’s not enough to persuade you, there are silent disco evenings on 11th and 12th December, with extra booking required.

Where? RHS Garden Rosemoor, Great Torrington, North Devon
When? Selected dates from 27 November – 30 December 2026, 4.30pm–8.30pm (last entry 7.15pm)
Cost? Non-members from £13 per adult and £7 per child. RHS members from £8 per adult and £4.50 per child. Under-fives go free. Book tickes here

Photo credit: RHS Garden Rosemoor 

Spend Christmas in Devon

Christmas is always a busy time, so why not take the opportunity to escape for a few days and enjoy some of Devon’s festive happenings? You could spend a couple of days exploring the English Riviera, taking in Brixham, Torquay and Paignton, or venture a little further to Powderham and North Devon.

And, of course, you’ll need somewhere to put your feet up after all that Christmas activity! Take a look at our Devon holiday cottages and see if there’s somewhere that takes your fancy.

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