There’s no getting away from the fact that the festive season can be expensive. So, let me point you in the direction of some cheap and, even better, free things to do in Devon this Christmas.
If you want to find Christmas light switch ons with family entertainment, free light trails and opportunities to meet Santa without a hefty price tag, read on!
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Free Christmas events in Devon
Here’s some free to attend festivities I’ve spotted happening around Devon this November and December:
Dawlish Christmas lights and lantern parade – 22 November 2024
There will be a Christmas light switch on event and Christmas markets on the Lawn and Strand in Dawlish.
Visit the market from 2pm and see a live Nativity, Father Christmas and a lantern parade from 5pm. The town’s Christmas lights will be officially switched on at 6pm, followed by live music.
Check the Dawlish Town Council Facebook page for the latest information about this year’s Christmas event.
Lanterns, Lights and Luminations in Brixham – 22 to 23 November 2024
This popular event in South Devon returns in 2024 with a magical lantern parade, a firework display, live music, street entertainment, and a market.
The event will include the Christmas light switch on, the arrival of Santa and fireworks.
This event is free to attend.
Find out more about Lanterns, Lights and Luminations in Brixham Harbour.
Light Up Axminster parade and light switch on – 23 November 2024
Axminster’s Christmas lights will be lit as part of a lantern procession event taking place between 3pm and 9pm in South Street.
There will be food stalls, children’s entertainment and live music.
Find out more on the Light Up Axminster Facebook page.
Candlelit Dartmouth – 29 to 30 November 2024
Candlelit Dartmouth returns this year to kick off the festive season in this South Devon port town.
Expect at Christmas market, music, Santa arriving by boat and a procession of lanterns through the streets.
This event is free to attend.
Find the full programme of events on the Candlelit Dartmouth website.
Bay of Lights illuminated trail, Torquay, South Devon – 29 November 2024 to 2 January 2025

The Bay of Lights free light trail is returning to Torbay this winter.
Enjoy a 1.5 mile route along Torquay seafront with glittering and unexpected surprises along the way including a light tunnel, prisms of light and a 12m high Christmas tree.
Here’s a taster of our experience in previous years.
Find out more about the Bay of Lights.
Exmouth Winter Festival and light switch on – 30 November 2024
This year’s Exmouth Winter Festival theme is ‘Polar Magic. This free event on The Strand starts at 3pm with music theatre on stage and walkabout performers.
The Christmas tree lights will be switched and there will be late night shopping.
Find out more about the programme for Exmouth Winter Festival.
Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening – 6 December 2024
Step back in time for a Dickensian evening of shopping and free entertainment in Tavistock.
This annual event held around the town and in the Butcher’s Hall includes a lantern parade, street performers, carolling and festive food and drink.
The town’s Christmas lights will be turned on at 5.45pm.
To find out more see the Visit Tavistock website.
Santas on a Bike in South Molton – 14 December 2024

The Annual Santa Ride from Taunton to Little Bridge House Children’s Hospice will be visiting South Molton Town Square for the Mayor’s fundraiser for the hospice.
Alongside the Santa ride involving more than 100 bikes, trikes and quads, there will be snow, photo opportunities, carols and Christmas gifts in the Pannier Market.
This event is free to attend.
Find out more on Facebook.
Christmas Carols at Darts Farm – 18 December 2024

Darts Farm’s annual outdoor Christmas carol service in aid of Exeter Food Action returns this December.
Visitors to Darts Farm can get into the Christmas spirit and join the Darts Farm team and Christ Church Woodbury with the Lympstone Band for carol singing from 7.30pm.
This event in Topsham this free to attend. There is a collection for the charity.
Find out more on the Darts Farm website.
More free things to do in Devon this Christmas
Here’s some more ideas for free things to do this Christmas around Devon:
Spot the Train of Lights in South Devon – selected dates from 30 November to 23 December 2024
The Train of Lights run by Dartmouth Steam Railway is a magical experience that you can enjoy in the carriages and alongside the track. We did both last year and it’s the trackside experience that my girls are still talking about.
Here’s some of the best places to see the Train of Lights and where you can find them using What Three Words to pin point the location:
- Goodrington South Sands Beach, Paignton – ///purple.spell.poker
- Broadbands Beach, Paignton – ///twee.offshore.blinking
- The South West Coast Path between Broadbands Beach and Goodrington (although this is hilly and could be tricky with children at night) – ///vertical.aunts.afflicted
- The Dartmouth Road bridge at Churston Station – ///meatballs.cautious.character
- The public footpath between Dartmouth Higher Ferry and Kingswear – ///forehand.sting.crisp
- Dartmouth Embankment – ///forgotten.facing.emptied
- The footbridge at Kingswear – ///patching.recount.prospers
The train sets off from Paignton at 5pm, 7pm and 9pm and returns 1.5 hours later. Expect the train to arrive back in Paignton by 6.30pm, 8.30pm and 10.30pm.
The train runs on selected dates from 29 November to 30 December 2024 excluding 2 to 4 December, 9 to 10 December and 24 to 26 December 2024.
It does not run at 9pm on 29 and 30 November or 1, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 27, 28, or 29 December 2024.
Soak up the atmosphere at a Christmas market

There’s free to visit Christmas markets with family-friendly entertainment happening across Devon this winter.
Take a look at my full guide to Devon Christmas markets to discover what’s on and where.
See Devon’s Christmas lights switched on

Watching Christmas lights being switched on at your nearest town of city is a fun way to start the festive season and the vast majority of events are free to attend.
Take a look at my full guide to where to see Devon’s Christmas lights this year.
Garden Centre Christmas displays in Devon
Otter and Endsleigh Garden Centres have wonderful Christmas displays that are free to browse at this time of year.
Here’s where to find them:
- Endsleigh at Ivybridge
- Otter at Ottery St Mary
- Otter at Bishopsteignton, Teignmouth
- Otter in Plymouth
- Otter in Torbay
Places in Devon to meet Santa for free
Santa will be popping up around Devon throughout November and December before heading back to the North Pole for his important Christmas preparations.
Most years there’s opportunities to meet him for free. He’ll be magically making appearances at many Christmas light switch ons (see above).
And here’s a few places children can meet him or visit his grotto for free:
Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas – South Devon – 7 December 2024
Take a trip to Kingsbridge for a thoroughly festive day with market stalls selling scrumptious hot food and gifts ranging from metal garden ornaments to Salcombe Gin.
Father Christmas will also make a special appearance and there will be a free grotto.
Find out more about Kingsbridge Celebrates Christmas on Fore Street.
Breakfast with Santa at Ikea – Exeter – 5 to 8 December 2024
IKEA Family members can meet Santa at IKEA for free on selected dates in December.
Santa, accompanied by his elves, will be handing out an early Christmas present for every child that attends.
Food and drinks will be available to be purchased in the Ikea restaurant.
Places are limited and signing up is essential to receive the Christmas present.
Breakfast and Supper with Santa, Ikea Exeter.
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Devon Christmas events for under £10 per family
Everyone is feeling the pinch right now but not all Christmas activities have to cost a lot. I’ve spotted some seriously cheap Christmas events where you can take your whole family for about £10 or under.
Obviously, family sizes vary. I’ve based my calculations on a family of four and events that cost about £2.50 per person.
‘Tis the Season at Torquay Museum, South Devon – 7 and 14 December 2024
Visit the museum for Christmassy crafts, live entertainment and to browse stalls selling gifts and stocking fillers.
There’s also a new Christmas trail and snow is forecast!
Tickets cost £3 per adult and £1 per child aged 16 or under.
Find out more on the Torquay Museum website.
Treasure gift trail at Cockington Court, near Torquay, South Devon – weekends from 7 to 24 December 2024

Armed with a treasure map, young explorers can venture through the craft studios and the manor house, uncovering hidden treasures tucked away in pirate chests.
For the grown-ups, the journey also offers a chance to discover unique, handcrafted gifts from jewellery and mosaic to chocolate and flowers.
Collect your treasure map for just £1 from the Craft Shop inside the Manor House and return at the end for a sweet reward. Pirate themed fancy dress is encouraged.
The trail is available 11am to 4pm on weekends throughout December plus 23 to 24 December.
Find out more about the treasure trail at Cockington Court.
Clovelly Christmas Lights, near Bideford, North Devon – 8 December 2024
Head to Clovelly from 4pm on 8 December to see the Christmas Lights switched on. The local brass band will lead a procession down to the harbour where there will be carols, a hog roast and other festive refreshments.
Don’t miss a visit from Father Christmas himself and seeing the entire village and harbour lit up.
The grand finale is a firework display to add even more sparkle to this opening event to the Clovelly Christmas season.
Entrance fee: £10 per car at the Visitor Centre after 2pm. All proceeds to RNLI.
Find out more about Clovelly Christmas Lights.
Mini Winter Wonderland Trail at Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary – daily until 3 February 2025

Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary’s winter trail promises to be a mini winter wonderland giving visitors the chance to find out about the adoption donkeys while enjoying a seasonal walk.
Trail sheets cost £5 each and include a prize on completion.
Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary is free to visit and also has a play area, daily talks, engaging hands-on exhibits, a maze to explore and miles of walkways.
Find out more about the trail on the Donkey sanctuary website.
Christmas activities for under £20
Here’s some more events and activities that have a smaller price tag attached, this time under £20 for a family of four.
Trago Mills – Devon’s cheapest Santa train – dates TBC
Board the North Pole Express at Trago Mills near Newton Abbot for a ride to Santa’s grotto for under £5 per person.
The special Steam Railway service runs from Riverside Station to Santa’s grotto where you and your family will meet Santa and his elves. All the children will receive an early gift from Santa too.
The train will then whisk you away to Trago Central Station where you will alight for the Trago Mills Model Railway.
Adults also receive a complimentary hot drink from our Staplehill Servery.
Ticket prices are TBC in 2024 but usually come in at £5 or under. Tickets can only be bought on the day.
Find out more about the Santa Specials at Trago Mills.
More Christmas events in Devon
If you have budget for a special treat check out my other guide to Christmas days out in Devon.
Have you spotted any other free things to do in Devon this Christmas? Let me know and I will add them in to help more families save on the expense of the season.