Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On

The Barbican Christmas Lights Switch-On is back on Saturday 14 November, when the waterfront lights up for the festive season. It's an annual community event run by the Plymouth Waterfront Partnership on behalf of the independent shops, galleries, pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels and B&Bs along the water, who decorate their windows and keep the lights going across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Bretonside and Millbay Park throughout the winter.

The afternoon fills the harbourside with family activities and entertainment. Local choirs and dance schools perform on the main stage, and The Salvation Army sings carols over on West Pier. The main event happens when Santa is brought ashore at the Barbican Landing Stage, near The Mayflower Steps, by the Plymouth RNLI; from there he joins the Lord Mayor and a nominated Community Hero to press the switch and bring the lights on. The day is held in association with Dartmoor Zoo, a local charity that supports family-focused community events.

It's a good way to see the waterfront in its festive state, with the lights staying on across the Barbican, Sutton Harbour, Bretonside and Millbay Park long after the switch-on is over. The whole thing takes place on Saturday 14 November, with the main action centred around the Barbican Landing Stage.