Flourishing Barnstaple is delighted to unveil its exciting line-up of festive entertainment, designed to bring holiday cheer to the whole community. From Tuesday 10 December to Saturday 21 December, the Barnstaple Pannier Market will be brimming with Christmas spirit, as a festive stage will be installed to host a variety of low-cost and free events for all ages.
This year’s celebrations feature a specially installed Christmas stage showcasing a dazzling array of entertainment, including:
- Children’s shows
- Live music performances
- Stand-up comedy
- Choirs and orchestras
- Free prize bingo and quizzes
Thanks to the ‘Festive for a Fiver’ initiative, ticketed events are capped at just £5, making it easier than ever for everyone to enjoy the festivities, and lots of other events are free.
For free events, simply turn up – spaces are limited, so arrive early to secure your spot. For ‘Festive for a Fiver’ events, tickets are available at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/panniermarket or in person at the Pannier Market Office on Wednesdays and Fridays between 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm.
Though indoors, the market is open to the elements, so don’t forget to dress warmly.
Free Events:
- Tues 10 Dec, 7pm: Festive open mic night with Sam Dowden
- Wed 11 Dec, 7pm: Petroc music performances
- Thurs 12 & 19 Dec, 2pm: Free prize bingo
- Thurs 12 Dec, from 5pm: Entertainingly Different & Braunton Community Choir
- Sat 14 Dec, 10am–4pm: Community performance day
- Sun 15 Dec, 10am–4pm: Family and music Day
- Thurs 19 Dec, from 5pm: Merlin’s fire and light show & St Peter’s Church Choir
- Fri 20 Dec: Christmas prize quiz
- Sat 21 Dec, 10am–3pm: Family entertainment & congregational carols with Barnstaple Concert Band
Festive for a Fiver Events:
- Fri 13 Dec, 7pm: Teachers Rock Choir
- Sat 14 Dec, 8pm: Christmas Comedy Night (featuring four comedians, including a Britain’s Got Talent finalist!)
- Tues 17 Dec, 7pm: 12 Wild Ducks
- Wed 18 Dec, 7pm: North Devon Sinfonia at Christmas
- Fri 20 Dec, 6pm: Kids Silent Disco
- Fri 20 Dec, 8.30pm: Adults Silent Disco
While soaking up the festive atmosphere, take the opportunity to shop local. The Pannier Market boasts a fabulous range of unique gifts, including arts and crafts, candles, fresh produce, clothing, plants, sweet treats, toys, and more.
The market is open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am–4pm, with extended hours until 8pm on Thursdays for late-night shopping.
To make your visit even more convenient, free parking after 4pm is available on Thursdays in Barnstaple Central, Cattle Market, North Walk, and Tuly Street car parks.
Additional opening dates include Sunday 15, 22 December, and Monday 23 December, so you can grab those last-minute Christmas essentials.
Lee Baxendale, Cultural Producer for Flourishing Barnstaple, said: “Christmas is a magical, and busy time where it is really important to bring people together. Barnstaple is full of lots of festive events and we hope we have created a programme that complements that and has something for everyone and is accessible to anybody who wants to take part. We have a wide range of performances in the evenings and lots of free events during the day including carol singing, free prize bingo and a Christmas quiz, so why not visit our marvellous traders and at the same time join in the festive fun?”
In addition to the festive events, the Pannier Market is currently seeking volunteers to help support the delivery of it’s exciting programme. Volunteers will play an essential role in ensuring the success of the market’s festive season, including helping with visitor engagement, answering public queries, and ensuring everyone can safely enjoy the events. It’s an amazing opportunity to be part of a thriving cultural atmosphere, meet new people, and support the community. If you’re interested, please register your interest.
This festive programme has been made possible through Flourishing Barnstaple, a North Devon Council initiative supported by the Cultural Development Fund, administered by Arts Council England.
For full details, visit Barnstaple.co.uk, pick up a copy of the Barnstaple Christmas Events Guide, or follow the Pannier Market Facebook page for updates.