Hello again everyone and welcome to the third instalment of my guide to different aspects of life in Plymouth. With just about three months to go until Christmas, the mornings are getting colder and darker, and I’ve already noticed my food choices shifting to more seasonal dishes. It’s definitely the time of year when I start planning ahead – not just for Christmas, but also for a positive start to the new year. So I thought I’d share a few of the things I’ll be looking out for in and around Plymouth to keep life fun.

Oktoberfest – 25th October

The first event that springs to mind for October is Oktoberfest. Plymouth’s version is held in a huge Bavarian-style tent, complete with steins of German beer, bratwurst, pretzels, Oompah bands and traditional drinking games. It really does capture the Bavarian party atmosphere – lederhosen and dirndls included! If you’re up for lively music and plenty of laughs, this is one not to miss.

Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus – 26th October

For something a little more family-friendly, The Box is hosting Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus. I love that they’re encouraging everyone to dress up in their scariest outfits. Expect craft activities, magical science experiments, music and dancing – a real spooktacular. And if you’re anything like me, you’ll want to stay on afterwards to try the special Halloween menu in the café (just remember it’s card-only).

A Season of Theatre

Plymouth Theatre Royal is one of my favourite places to spend an evening, and their upcoming programme is brilliant. You can catch Juliet & Romeo, Black Sabbath – The Ballet, The Woman in Black, Matthew Bourne’s The Red Shoes and That’ll Be Christmas music extravaganza. And of course, they always round off the year with the panto, which I’ll talk about later.

Big Nights at Plymouth Pavilions

The Pavilions never disappoints either. This season includes John Bishop, a Michael Jackson tribute, Bastille, Riverdance at 30, Fisherman’s Friends, and Jools Holland with his orchestra. They’re even throwing an 80’s themed Christmas meal and party – which sounds right up my street.

Lights, Markets and Shopping

For me, the Christmas build-up really begins with the light switch-on, which this year is on 15th November. From mid-November onwards, you’ve got late-night shopping and the city centre Christmas market running right through December. I love the atmosphere when the market stalls are up – mulled drinks in hand, browsing for presents, all wrapped up against the chill.

The Santa Run – 29th November

I’ve done this one myself and I can honestly say it’s pure fun. The Santa Run is a 3km dash (or jog… or walk!) through the city – but the best part is that everyone is dressed as Father Christmas. It’s impossible not to smile when you’re part of that red sea of Santas.

A Different Kind of Christmas

Normally, I do Christmas in a very big way, but this year will be a first – I’ll be away with my husband enjoying some winter sun. Lots of people choose to do the same, opting for something less formal and, often, less expensive than the traditional celebrations. If you’ve got family travelling down, another option is to book one of the many Airbnb apartments or houses in Plymouth, which can make hosting much easier.

Planning Ahead

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that you really do need to book ahead in Plymouth at this time of year. Restaurants, pubs, cinemas, clubs – they all get packed. Roads and car parks get just as busy too, so sometimes I prefer to leave the car at home and use Park & Ride or hop on a local train instead.

Festive Drinks on the Barbican

The Barbican is always my go-to for catching up with friends in December. It’s a mecca for socialising and has everything – cosy pubs, cocktail bars, fish and chips, fine dining. Personally, I can’t resist a hot mulled cider at this time of year – it feels like Christmas in a cup!

Shopping – High Street to Hidden Gems

I love a good wander around the Barbican’s cobbled streets in December, dipping into the independent shops, antique stores and artists’ studios for presents. If you stray off the beaten track, there are so many little treasures – even quirky charity shops and lovely tea rooms.

Of course, there’s also Drake Circus for the big names. I always find myself in M&S for mum and dad, and Primark for nieces and nephews. If you’re looking for something more special, Allum & Siddaway and Michael Spiers Jewellers are both nearby, with Breitling and Omega tempting the watch-lovers.

Nightlife in December

With university students heading home for the holidays, the nightlife shifts a little and becomes more local. The bars and clubs are still lively, but many do charge entry fees at this time of year – so it’s worth bearing in mind.

Comedy at Marjon – 10th October

I can’t finish without mentioning comedy – one of my favourite nights out. Myra DuBois is performing at Plymouth Marjon University on 10th October. I’ve already got my ticket, and if you enjoy sharp wit and bold humour, I’d recommend it.

The Panto!

And of course – the panto. Oh no it isn’t… oh yes it is! This year it’s Dick Whittington, starring Shane Richie. He’s always hilarious, and it’s the perfect way to round off the year.

Wrapping Up

So that’s my guide to Plymouth this autumn and winter – from Oktoberfest steins and spooky science to mulled cider on the Barbican and panto laughs at the Theatre Royal. There really is something for everyone.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading Part 3, and I’ll be back in the new year with Part 4. Until then – take care, have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

This week, our team at Cross Keys Estates had the absolute pleasure of spending the day at Ark at Egwood as part of our volunteering efforts — and what an inspiring day it was!

Set across 12 beautiful acres of land and woodland, ARK at Egwood is more than just a space — it’s a community. This incredible intergenerational, land-based day service welcomes people of all ages, abilities, and needs to connect with nature, themselves, and one another.

From growing fresh produce and flowers to rural crafts, hedge laying, cooking, and caring for animals, ARK offers meaningful, person-centred activities that boost confidence, wellbeing, and community engagement. Their mission and values, centred around inclusivity, equality, and the power of choice, resonate deeply with us.

It was a joy to see first hand how they create a nurturing, supportive space where everyone can be themselves. We were humbled and inspired by the hard work, passion, and care that go into everything ARK does.

A huge thank you to the ARK team for welcoming us so warmly and for the fantastic work you do every single day. Please consider following them on social media!

Slideshow Gallery

Please click on the link below to view a slideshow gallery of the day’s activities

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My husband and I relocated south to Plymouth from Yorkshire in April 2022 after a long time spent deliberating, weighing up the pros and cons and mostly trying to convince friends and family that we hadn’t gone completely crazy. Not only did we rent a property from Cross Keys, they also offered me a job too, which I readily accepted after an interview in The Fisherman’s Arms down in the Barbican!

I cannot believe now that it has been just over two years and like our family and friends who visit, we have very much concluded that it was a great move for us to an amazing city.

Whilst a little apprehensive about moving to a city from a small town we have been very pleasantly surprised by how much Plymouth feels like the world’s largest village.

Easy to navigate around and being based in the Barbican area of the city we genuinely have the best of everything within walking distance of our front door.

We can cross the road and enjoy all the fantastic variety of pubs, bars and eateries that are on offer along with some lovely little quirky shops. A few minutes’ walk takes us to the Hoe with the stunning Smeaton’s Tower and breath-taking views across Plymouth Sound and Fireworks when the festival is on in August … a personal favourite of ours. In the other direction is the city centre with more than enough shopping and entertainment including The Theatre Royal, Drake Circus, The Box, The Pavilions and The Barcode to name only a few.

A short ferry ride from the Barbican makes both Mountbatten and Cawsand easily accessible and good to escape to when it is busy in the holiday months, in addition to the Royal William Yard where the monthly food, craft and produce market is not to be missed.

Working for Plymouth’s number one Estate Agent, Cross Keys, has certainly helped me to find my feet and my way around as well as meeting a fantastic bunch of people who I am proud to call friends as well as colleagues.

Estate Agency was a new direction for me and there are some great aspects of the job not least meeting a wide variety of people on a daily basis and helping them with the next chapters in their lives, whether they are upsizing, downsizing or just stepping onto the property ladder for the first time, it’s so rewarding when they find their next home and helping them through the process to make it enjoyable rather than stressful, it’s a great job.

We have settled so well into our new life and feel incredibly lucky to live in such a vibrant and diverse part of the country beside the ocean and welcome many visitors from the North who now think we are less crazy for moving here as they always enjoy their stays in such wonderful surroundings.