Exeter Christmas Market 2025: dates and what’s on

Christmas has begun on Exeter Catehdral Green!

From Thursday 20 November to Friday 19 December 2025, the Exeter Cathedral Christmas market takes place.

More than a hundred chalets line the Green, each showcasing something distinct from Devon and the wider South West.

From jewellery to textiles to Devonshire food, it’s a haven for Christmas shopping – plus, there are plenty of spots to enjoy a mulled wine and some street food, all in the shadow of the glorious Exeter Cathedral.

Here’s what to expect in 2025.

Food, drink and shopping highlights

There’s a huge range of vendors in 2025, including:

Food stalls

• Après Ski – raclette & tartiflette: melted Alpine cheese scraped over potatoes with optional cured meat or pickles.
• Grillmaster German Sausages: bratwurst cooked on an open grill with mustard and soft rolls.
• Urban Cowboy Street Food: loaded corn chips and hearty mains with slow-cooked toppings.
• The Big Greek Feed: warm flatbreads filled with salad, sauces and grilled vegetables.
• Khana Cuisine: South Asian dishes with bold spices and generous portions.
• Chubby Churros: hot churros coated in sugar with dipping chocolate.
• Bella Cannoli: crunchy cannoli shells piped with sweet ricotta fillings.
• Crumb Coat Bakery: trays of brownies and seasonal bakes.
• Surf’n’Turf Kitchen: grilled comfort food with rich sauces and winter flavours.
• Dough Bros Bakery: fresh breads, pastries and sweet rolls.

Drink stalls

• Bar Buoy: seasonal cocktails mixed with Devon spirits.
• Ventons Devon Cyder: traditional scrumpy made with local apples.
• Exeter Gin: small-batch gin distilled in the city.
• Salcombe Distilling Co.: handcrafted spirits inspired by the South Devon coast.
• TORS Vodka: Dartmoor-produced vodka with a clean finish.
• Lucela’s Chocolate Rum: rum liqueur blended with rich chocolate.
• Monarch Liqueurs: fruit liqueurs and winter blends.
• O’Donnell Moonshine: flavoured spirits in distinctive jars.

Shopping stalls

• Historic Gift: heritage-themed items linked to British history.
• Dan’s Woodcrafts: carved boards, bowls and decorative pieces made from British wood.
• Amica Felt: felted wool decorations, accessories and soft gifts.
• Jane Williams Silks: hand-painted silk scarves in bright winter colours.
• Blueberri: printed textiles and home accessories.
• Me and You: jewellery and small gifts made with polished metals and stones.
• Made with Love by Mazz: seasonal decorations and personalised craft items.
• Sozo Silver: contemporary silver jewellery shaped in small-batch designs.
• Nicola Mary Designs: botanical-inspired prints, cards and homeware.
• Nautilus Designs: coastal artwork and resin pieces.
• Old Retro Maps: framed vintage-style maps of towns, cities and counties.
• Rydon Book Barn: curated books and heritage-focused gifts.
• The Posh Soap Company: handmade soaps and skincare with winter scents.
• The Scented Fruit Company: dried fruit garlands and decorative pieces.
• Wild Wool: woollen accessories, blankets and winter knits.

Events and performances inside the Cathedral

Exeter Cathedral runs a full festive programme alongside the market. Many events take place directly inside the Cathedral itself! See my guide to the cathedral here.

• Christmas by Candlelight – West End singers and a live band performing seasonal songs under soft lighting.
• Handel’s Messiah – the Cathedral Choir and Devon Baroque presenting the full work.
• Mediaeval Baebes – choral pieces in Latin, Middle English and Old French.
• London Concertante: Viennese Christmas Spectacular – Strauss, Brahms and Tchaikovsky performed in concert.
• Christingle Service – family-friendly service with traditional hymns led by the Cathedral Choir.
• Advent Procession (30 November) – choral music moving through the building in near-darkness.
• Grandisson Service of Lessons and Carols – traditional readings and carols in the nave.
• Hospiscare Light Up a Life – reflective service honouring loved ones.
• Lord Mayor’s Carol Service – civic-led carols open to all.
• Lunchtime Carols – short, informal carol sessions during the day.
• Sound of the Sirens – Exeter-based duo performing folk-influenced music.
• Other seasonal experiences – guided tours, quizzes, sound-and-light installations and community events.

Dates and times

The market runs for a full month, opening daily from 20 November to 19 December.

Monday to Wednesday hours run 10am–7pm, extended to 10am–9pm from Thursday to Saturday, with Sunday hours set at 11am–5pm.

How to get there

Reaching Cathedral Green is straightforward.

Both Exeter Central and Exeter St Davids stations connect directly to the city centre. From Exeter Central you walk down Queen Street and across to the Cathedral in a few minutes.

From St Davids the route brings you through the Iron Bridge or down Bonhay Road and up through the shopping district (a longer walk, so aim for Exeter Central if possible!).

I use Apple Taxis in Exeter, which are based at Exeter St Davids.

If you’re driving, Princesshay 2, Princesshay 3 and Guildhall car parks are the closest large options. Park & Ride routes also serve the city.

Access

Five entrances lead into the market, with step-free access at all but one of them. Ramps cover the main steps on the west front, and wide paths run between the chalets.

Some units have internal steps or narrow doorways, though traders help wherever possible.

Accessible toilets sit near the Cathedral entrance, with further facilities available inside Guildhall and Catherine Street.

Security is on site around the clock throughout the build, opening period and breakdown. A first aid chalet sits near the Cathedral entrance, and trained staff and volunteers are present across the site.

Dogs on leads can explore all outdoor areas, with only assistance dogs allowed inside the Cathedral itself.

Are you ready for Christmas?

The festive season will be in full swing before you know it! Are you visiting Exeter Christmas Market this year?