Drake Circus Christmas Lights Switch On

Drake Circus switches on its Christmas lights on Thursday 12 November, the first big festive date for the city centre this year. It's a free event, and the main thing happens in the Atrium, where the lights go on at 5.15pm. If you're planning to be there for the actual switch, that's the time to keep in mind.

There's more to it than just the lights, though. Festive activity kicks off from 4pm, so you can get there early and settle in before the countdown. Throughout the afternoon and evening, snow flurries fall across the centre, and there's roaming entertainment moving through the crowds. A polar bear will be making appearances, too, which is a good marker for where the action is if you've just arrived. The switch-on itself is the peak of the night, and it's the moment the centre officially moves into Christmas mode.

It's worth remembering that this is part of a wider festive programme across Plymouth, not a one-off. Throughout the Christmas period, snowfall fills the Old Town Square every evening at 4pm, and festive roaming entertainment runs every Thursday night, so if you miss the switch-on or just want to keep the mood going, there are plenty of other chances to catch the seasonal stuff around town.

If you're heading in, the switch-on is at Drake Circus, 1 Charles Street, Plymouth, PL1 1EA. Activity starts from 4pm, with the official lights switch-on at 5.15pm in the Atrium.