Short answer: Plymouth has the most indoor options of anywhere in Devon and most of the best are free. The Box is free with a mammoth and a 4D film, the Barbican is cobbled and lit, and Royal William Yard is a Georgian naval yard full of restaurants.
Plymouth's Christmas market runs from 26 November to 20 December along Armada Way and New George Street.
Checked against the organisers' listings in late October. Smaller events are run by volunteers and can move, so confirm before travelling.
Plymouth is the largest city in this guide and none of it closes for winter. The shops, the museums, the Barbican and the waterfront all run through December, which makes it the reliable wet-weather day in the south west corner.
The city museum and gallery — free to enter, with a mammoth, a 4D history film and well-judged exhibitions. It is the best free indoor day out in Devon and it is barely known outside the city.
The old town that survived the war — cobbled streets, galleries, independent shops and the harbour. Lit up in December it is the prettiest part of the city, and it is compact enough to walk in bad weather.
2026 dates: switch-on evenings, markets and festive services are confirmed by councils and operators through October and November, and they move year to year. Check the organiser's own listing before travelling.
A vast 1830s naval victualling yard converted into restaurants and bars, with coastal walks around it and a ferry across to Cornwall. Thick granite buildings, which is exactly what you want in December.
Devil's Point at Stonehouse is a free headland with wide views, accessible paths and three hours of free parking. Saltram on the edge of the city has acres of parkland and now allows dogs into parts of the garden.
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 Plymouth guide, filtered by who's with you.
Plan your day near Plymouth →