Short answer: Paignton is the easiest Torbay town in December: flat, with a level promenade, a pier arcade for a dry hour and the zoo minutes away. Harbour Light and the Hyde Dendy both stay open through the winter.
The Quaywest Christmas Market at Goodrington Sands runs on 12, 13, 19 and 20 December, and it is free. The Bay of Lights opening fireworks are on Saturday 28 November at 8pm.
Checked against the organisers' listings in late October. Smaller events are run by volunteers and can move, so confirm before travelling.
Torquay is built on hills and Brixham is squeezed into a harbour. Paignton is flat, which in December — when it is wet and dark by four — makes it the easiest of the three to walk around with children or anyone who struggles with gradients.
The Esplanade and the town centre carry the lights, and the flat promenade means you can walk the length of them without a climb. The bay reflects them, which is the best of it.
2026 dates: switch-on evenings and market dates are confirmed by town councils and organisers through October and November, and they move year to year. Check the town council or chamber of commerce listing before travelling rather than relying on last year's date.
Open through the winter with indoor habitats, and considerably quieter than in August. Free parking for over 1,100 cars. Dogs are not admitted, though their Primley Park nature reserve nearby takes all dogs free.
The promenade, level for its whole length. Paignton Beach South opens to dogs from 1 October, and Fairy Cove behind the harbour takes dogs all year — shaded, with rock pools, and almost nobody there in December.
Paignton has a mainline station a short, level walk from the seafront — easier than parking on a dark wet evening.
Book Christmas and Boxing Day lunch in November. Devon's good pubs fill weeks ahead and the ones that do not take bookings have queues instead.
See the full Paignton guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Paignton →