Christmas 2025

Plymouth's historic Royal William Yard is set to transform into a winter wonderland once again, with festive markets, places to shop and socialise, and illuminations twinkling throughout the historic site. With Christmas menus on offer and plenty planned over the special season, there will be many opportunities to eat, drink, and be merry.

Head to the Festive Good Food & Craft Market for shopping under the stars on Wednesday evenings and leisurely weekend wanders on Sundays. Over 60 stalls will showcase the South West's best artisans and makers offering festive wares and unique gifts.

Diary Dates

Festive Good Food & Craft Market

3rd December (5-9pm)
7th December (10am–3pm)
10th December (5-9pm)
14th December (10am–3pm)
17th December (5-9pm)
21st December (10am-3pm)

Location: Melville building and courtyard and Arcade

With festoon lights throughout, hot food and a tipple or two to tempt the tastebuds, this is always the place to visit in the run-up to Christmas. Stock up on cheese and chutney, cake and fudge, candles and ceramics, art and artisan produce – it’s a present buyer’s paradise.

On 3rd, 10th and 17th December, Plymouth City Brass will be performing at each of the Wednesday evening markets from 6.30pm, filling the air with seasonal carols and adding to the festive atmosphere.

Adding a touch of festive magic to the season, a life-sized polar bear puppet from Above Bounds Theatre Company will roam the Yard at 7pm on Wednesday 3rd December.

Gifts Galore

New to the Yard this festive season, discover women's fashion boutique Pebble in Arcade, offering stylish pieces perfect for party season and beyond. For four-legged friends, Nala's Pet Co, also in Arcade, stocks everything from treats to toys for pampered pets.

Shop for unique presents from inspiring independents, including clothes, accessories and homewares from boutique, Identity Fashion; stylish haircare sets from YOKE; a range of hampers from wine merchant, Le Vignoble; and gift sets and vouchers from Enhance Aesthetics & Wellness.

Treat someone special to an experience, by grabbing a gift voucher that they can use for a night out, leisurely lunch, or pampering session. Many of the Yard's shops and restaurants have vouchers available in store and online.

Food & Drink

Festive menus are available at many of the Yard's eateries, catering for any occasion from a cosy dinner with friends to a lively Christmas knees-up. There are even options to book in for Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve, for those who want to celebrate in style.

Check out the Yard’s array of bars and restaurants – Bistrot Pierre, The Hook & Line, Seco Lounge, Wagamama, BLOCK Café and Steel Brew – have menus to delight and entertain.

Wildwood has a winter menu crammed with comforting dishes, including festive pizza and creamy baked artichokes, perfect for warming up on a chilly December evening.

Celebrate the season at The News Café with their tempting festive menu, featuring seasonal starters like truffled celeriac soup and wholetail scampi, followed by show-stopping mains including pan-roasted turkey with all the trimmings, and slow roasted pork belly with spiced rhubarb. Round it all off with indulgent desserts. Available for £24.95 for two courses or £29.95 for three courses, it's the perfect setting for work celebrations, family gatherings, or festive catch-ups with friends. Pre-booking is essential with a £10 per person deposit and pre-order required.

Bistrot Pierre will host its Festive Soiree Gastonomique event on 9^th & 16^th December, 6 festive courses for just £27.95 per person, featuring festive favourites like Camembert Brûlée, Pan-fried Salmon Fillet, classic Roast Turkey and Black Forest Chocolate Mousse. There will be a Christmas Party Offer (save £4 per person when you book your Christmas Party on Sunday-Tuesday). There will also be New Year's Eve celebrations, with 4 courses with a live singer for £54.95 per person.

Entertainment

Adding a touch of festive magic to the season, a life-sized polar bear puppet from Above Bounds Theatre Company will roam the Yard at 7pm on Wednesday 3rd December at the Festive Good Food & Craft Market. Families can look forward to unforgettable photo moments as this gentle Arctic giant explores the waterfront, spreading winter cheer and wonder. Based in Devon, Above Bounds Theatre places children’s voices at the heart of everything they create—bringing imagination, storytelling, and playful creativity to life for audiences of all ages.

Get hands-on with festive creativity at The News Café's Christmas wreath making workshop on Monday 8th December from 6.30-8.30pm. Hosted by Honors Flower School, you'll craft your own beautiful wreath to take home whilst enjoying a glass of house wine or soft drink and a mince pie on arrival. Perfect for a festive evening out with friends or a unique date night. £40 per person, booking essential. For little ones, kids cookie making sessions run throughout December, Monday-Thursday from 3-4pm at £10 per child.

You can also get into the Christmas spirit at Everyman cinema – with its velvet sofas and treats served to your seat – as it screens Christmas classics. Its Throwback films on Sundays and Tuesdays also come with a complimentary drink and popcorn. Take a look at what's planned:

Out & About

Seize the opportunity to get out and about for a refreshing winter walk along the South West Coast Path and stop for a hot drink or warming meal on the way. Boxing Day and New Year's sea swims are a tradition for many, and at Royal William Yard there's no better place to take the plunge. Join the sea swimmers at Firestone Bay and then warm up in Halogi mobile sauna!

Visiting is now easier than ever, with an extension to the parking facilities at the top of the site at Devil’s Point, which has created over 100 additional spaces.

The Barbican Link Ferry will return for one special weekend! On Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December, the popular service will be back on the water, perfectly timed to whisk visitors to and from the Yard’s Festive Good Food & Craft Market.

Running between The Barbican, Royal William Yard and Mount Edgcumbe, the ferry offers a scenic and convenient way to explore three iconic waterside destinations. It’s ideal for those looking to add an extra sparkle to their day - just a short ferry hop away, Mount Edgcumbe’s Christmas Fair offers a wonderful complement to the Yard’s festivities. With festive markets on both sides of the water, breathtaking views, and a relaxed way to travel, it’s the perfect way to celebrate the season. Take a look at the timetable here.

Give back this Christmas

The festive season brings a special sense of community to Royal William Yard, and visitors and businesses are invited to join the annual Christmas charity appeal. Following last year's generous response, which saw boxes of donations shared amongst local organisations, this season's appeal will support two causes making a tangible difference to families across Plymouth.

Ginsters' Project 35 and Children's Wishes Plymouth have been chosen as this year's beneficiaries, both addressing pressing needs in the local area. The appeal runs from Wednesday 26th November to Wednesday 10th December, with donations welcomed at the Welcome Suite or, when the offices are closed, in the collection box by the stairs.

What's Needed

For Ginsters' Project 35, the appeal is gathering non-perishable food items alongside toiletries and personal hygiene products. Meanwhile, Children's Wishes Plymouth is collecting essential children's clothing – socks, tights, coats, scarves and gloves for youngsters who need them most.

The Causes

Project 35 represents a partnership between Ginsters, Plymouth Argyle FC and Argyle Community Trust, tackling poverty through fundraising, awareness raising and practical support. The number 35 itself tells a sobering story: in some Plymouth wards, 35 percent of children are living in poverty. Through food donations, education and community outreach, the initiative works to support those most vulnerable.

Children's Wishes Plymouth addresses another quiet crisis in local schools. Teachers have been buying underwear and basic clothing from their own pockets for children aged 3-11 who arrive without essentials. The charity steps into this gap, ensuring that no child goes without the basics they need. Every contribution, however modest, makes a genuine difference to a young person's day-to-day life.