Christmas is coming to Plymouth’s Royal William Yard and this year’s festive programme brings six Festive Good Food & Craft Markets, a late shopping evening led by independent businesses, hands-on crafting workshops, plus visits from a brass band, polar bear, and Santa in his sleigh.
Illuminations will light up the Yard’s Grade I listed buildings and waterfront throughout the season, turning the former victualling yard into a winter wonderland. Two centuries after Naval fleets collected provisions here, visitors can stock up on treats and gifts galore. And with festive menus served across the Yard, there’s every excuse to eat, drink and be merry.
Festive Good Food & Craft Markets
More than 60 stalls from across the South West will fill the Melville building, Melville Corner and Melville Courtyard, selling everything from cheese, chutney and fudge to candles, ceramics, art and artisan produce, with hot food and mulled drinks ready and waiting.
Wednesday 2nd December, 5–9pm
Sunday 6th December, 10am–3pm
Wednesday 9th December, 5–9pm
Sunday 13th December, 10am–3pm
Wednesday 16th December, 5–9pm
Sunday 20th December, 10am–3pm
The line-up changes from market to market, with more than 100 different traders appearing throughout December, so no two visits will be quite the same. Wednesday markets run into the evening, with Plymouth City Brass playing carols at each one from 6.30pm.
On Sunday 6th December, a life-sized polar bear puppet from Above Bounds Theatre Company will roam the Yard during the market. On Sunday 20th December, the last market before Christmas, Plymouth Round Table will bring Santa and his sleigh to the Yard for a truly memorable visit.
Late night shopping
Thursday 19th November: Get ahead of the Christmas rush at a late night shopping evening in Arcade, the Brewhouse building’s home of independent shops, from 5–8pm. Pebble, DockSide Coffee Bar, Nala’s Pet Co, The Tipple Cellar, Natural Source and The Pop-up Shop will all be open late, and over in the Mills building, Identity Fashion will be ready with gifts, homewares and one-of-a-kind fashion.
Wine lovers can make a night of it. Le Vignoble’s annual Grand Christmas Wine Tasting takes place the same evening in the New Cooperage building from 5–7pm, with more than 100 wines to try. Consider it research for Christmas dinner. Tickets here
Make it yourself
For anyone who prefers their presents homemade, or simply fancies an afternoon of crafting, the Yard has a series of workshops in November:
Candle making with Candles of Sherford – Saturday 7th and Saturday 14th November. Pick your wax and fragrance, pour your own candle and sip a glass of Prosecco while it sets.
Fused glass with Papercutz Glass Designs by Sheena – Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th November. Christmas-themed designs for beginners and old hands alike.
Natural dye ribbon workshop with Emma Purdie – Saturday 28th November. Dye your own ribbons with botanical colours, to wrap this year’s gifts (and many more years thereafter).
Festive films
Everyman Cinema’s Throwback season brings Christmas classics back to the big screen, including Elf, Love Actually, The Holiday and an 80th anniversary edition of It’s a Wonderful Life. Every Throwback screening comes with a complimentary drink and popcorn, best enjoyed from one of Everyman’s velvet sofas. Screenings run on Wednesdays and Sundays, so a trip to the market can easily roll into a film – find out more here.
The Royal Ballet’s The Nutcracker comes to Everyman on Tuesday 1st December. In Peter Wright’s production, a gift at a Christmas party sends young Clara on an adventure through snowy landscapes to a land of sweets, where toys come to life – book here.
Presents and vouchers
Visitors can shop for unique presents from the Yard’s independents, including clothes, accessories and homewares from boutiques Identity Fashion and Pebble, haircare gift sets from YOKE The Salon, hampers and treats from Le Vignoble, Natural Source and The Tipple Cellar, and gifts aplenty from The Pop-up Shop in Arcade. Treats for four-legged friends can be found at Nala’s Pet Co.
For the person who has everything, many of the Yard’s restaurants, shops and wellbeing businesses sell gift vouchers, good for anything from a long lunch to a sauna session or a night out in style at Everyman Cinema.
Christmas menus
Leave the cooking to someone else, relax, and enjoy a festive feast. Seasonal menus are on at Bistrot Pierre, Seco Lounge, Wagamama, BLOCK Café, DockSide Coffee Bar and Steel Brew. Wildwood has launched its Christmas menus, with an early bird offer for those who book ahead.
Families, clubs or companies planning a Christmas party can choose from venue hire, private dining and bespoke events. Find out more.
Out and about
The South West Coast Path runs straight past the Yard, making it a natural start or finish point for a winter walk. Swimmers taking part in Boxing Day and New Year’s Day dips at Firestone Bay can warm up afterwards in Hálogi’s wood-fired mobile sauna, and BLOCK Gym is open through the holidays for anyone keen to get a head start on their resolutions.
Full details of everything happening this Christmas are at royalwilliamyard.com/christmas
