Christmas on Plymouth’s waterfront begins on Saturday 14 November at the annual Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On.
A day of festivities is in store across the Barbican and Sutton Harbour before Santa arrives via the RNLI to join this year’s Community Heroes, the Lord Mayor and special guests on stage to do the big switch on.
Sarah Gibson, Chief Executive Officer, Plymouth Waterfront Partnership: “The waterfront’s Christmas Lights Switch-On is such a special and joyous community event here in Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City.
A huge thank you to waterfront businesses – from our independent shops and galleries to our pubs, cafes, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs and offices – whose support and energy make this celebration possible and light up the Barbican and Sutton Harbour throughout the festive season. We’re thrilled to be celebrating our Community Heroes and recognising their incredible, self-less efforts in helping others, giving them the honour of switching on the lights.
It’s a rousing celebration of the entire waterfront area, including Royal William Yard, Bretonside, The Hoe and Mount Batten, with so much on offer for everyone to visit and enjoy this festive season. Come on over and make the most of our fantastic Plymouth waterfront!”
The Barbican will be full of festive family fun from midday on Saturday with a wide range of stalls, entertainment and activities, ahead of the Christmas Lights Switch On. There will be a range of free and paid-for children’s activities including bouncy fun in the snow globe, and Christmas story-telling in The Maritime.
On West Pier there will be a Santa’s Grotto supported by Plymouth Argyle in collaboration with Stagecoach. Visitors will have the opportunity to meet Pilgrim Pete, Father Christmas in Green, and can take part in in Argyle-themed activities.
Local choirs and dance schools will light up the main stage, throughout the afternoon before Santa arrives. There will also be a programme of performers, including The Salvation Army, singing Christmas carols on West Pier next to the prawn monument.
Gables will also be hosting their popular Dog Show on Commercial Wharf from 2pm until 3.30pm. Entry is £2 per class with all proceeds going to Gables.
Santa is expected to arrive via the Barbican Landing Stage, near to The Mayflower Steps, at approximately 4.30pm, and the Barbican Christmas Lights will be switched on at approximately 5.15pm.
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership have selected two separate winners of this year’s Community Hero award.
Norma Mullaniff will have the honour of switching on the lights. Norma has spent decades supporting homeless women, including those experiencing sexual exploitation. A trusted and much-loved figure, she founded a pop-up street church and Little Sanctuary in Mutley, offering women a safe space, hot meals, trauma-informed counselling and housing support. She also helps with the annual women’s homelessness census.
Meanwhile Alan and Maureen Stockdale will also receive a reward from the Lord Mayor on stage. Alan and Maureen run Mayflower Special Olympics, a weekly YMCA club supporting dozens of adults with learning and physical disabilities. Alongside organising local, regional and national sporting competitions, they have built a welcoming community of athletes, families and volunteers. Their work brings joy and gives athletes a place to shine, celebrating their abilities rather than focusing on the challenges they face.
Plymouth Waterfront Partnership would like to thank Cattewater Harbour Commissioners, BYD and production partners JHAV for their support.
Find out more about the Barbican Christmas Lights Switch On.
