Plymouth’s Winter Festival is back this week (Thursday 17 November) bringing together

a wide range of festive fun and frolics to make sure this Christmas really is one to

remember.

The Winter Festival, sponsored by City College Plymouth and Radio Plymouth, was

created by Plymouth City Centre Company to encourage people from across the region

to celebrate Christmas in the city. Now in its second year, the Festival brings together a

wide range of events and activities, placing Plymouth as the region’s top destination for

retail and leisure this Christmas.

The Winter Festival opens with the Christmas Lights switch-on (Thursday 17 Nov)

starring inspirational Plymouth Marine Mark Ormrod, Britain’s Got Talent stars Michael

Collings and Ronan Parke and Hannah Nicholas, star of Cinderella at the Theatre Royal.

There will be a whole stocking full of fun and entertainment starting on the Heart FM

stage at the top of Cornwall Street from 4pm.

To add to the celebrations on Thursday 17 November, the Christmas Market opens on

Armada Way, offering a whole range of delightful gifts and treats and the Ice Rink on the

Piazza – part of the new Winter Wonderland attraction – will reveal its new festive look!

The Winter Wonderland is a major feature of the Winter Festival and alongside the ever

popular ice rink includes a grotto where little ones can meet Santa, take tea with him and

even get an early Christmas gift!

The Winter Festival fun keeps on coming throughout November and into December with

the Christmas Carnival (01 December), late night shopping every Thursday (until 22

Dec), festive street entertainment, a visit from the iconic Coca-Cola Christmas truck (20

Nov), Cinderella in Pantomime at the Theatre Royal (16 Dec – 21 Jan), festive shows at

the Pavilions, Christmas Craft Markets at Royal William Yard (26 Nov – 10 Dec), festive

fun and games in the Barbican (03 and 04 December), and a very special Santa fun run

(04 December). Councillor Vivien Pengelly, Leader of Plymouth City Council, said: “What a year this

has been for Plymouth! I can think of no better way to round it off than with the best

Christmas shopping, events and entertainment offer in the South West.

“Plymouth is wonderful all year round, but it holds a special magic over the festive

season so I am delighted to see so much on offer for residents and visitors this

Christmas. Plus, with works on Gdynia Way now complete and the newly renovated

Western Approach shoppers’ car park, where you can park all day for £5, it is easier

than ever to get in and park.

“I hope people from all across the region come and visit us in Plymouth and experience

all that we have to offer.”

Clint Jones, Plymouth City Centre Manager said: “This year’s Winter Festival line up

is by far the best in the South West. As a city Plymouth is raising its game and I am

confident that our fantastic retail offer alongside the great range of festive entertainment

and events – many of which are free to enjoy – will attract thousands of visitors to

Plymouth this Christmas.

“It has been another tough year for retailers, with economic pressures hitting businesses

and shoppers alike. We are committed to supporting the city’s retailers and are pulling

out all the stops this Christmas, at what is a key trading time for everyone.”

For information on all the events and activities that form past of this year’s Winter festival

please visit www.shopplymouth.co.uk become a fan on Facebook

www.facebook.com/PlymouthWinterFestival or follow us on Twitter @PlymWinterFest

Forthcoming Winter Festival Events:

November

17th

Start of Winter Festival – Plymouth City Centre

Christmas Lights Switch On featuring Mark Ormrod, Michael Collings, Ronan

Parke and Hannah Nicholas.

Winter Wonderland on the Piazza opens

Christmas Market on Armada Way opens

Late Night Shopping and street entertainment

20th

Coca-Cola Christmas Tour – the iconic Coca-Cola truck visits Plymouth Piazza

from 4-8pm

24th

Late Night Shopping and street entertainment, Plymouth City Centre

26th

Flameworks’ ART2GO Christmas Craft Fair opens at Royal William Yard and

runs until 10th

December.

December

1st

Christmas Carnival in Plymouth City Centre featuring live reindeer, Samba Bands

and a twinkling twilight lantern parade. Activity starts from 4pm

Late Night shopping and street entertainment 3rd

-4th

Christmas fun on the Barbican

3rd

Royal Marine Band Christmas Spectacular, Plymouth Pavilions

4th

Christmas Fun Run through Plymouth City Centre

8th

Late Night shopping and street entertainment

14th

QuoFestive – a special festive show from legendary rockers Status Quo,

featuring Roy Wood and Kim Wilde, Plymouth Pavilions

15th

Late Night shopping and street entertainment

16th

Cinderella in Panto at the Theatre Royal opens and runs until 21st

Jan 2012

22nd

Late Night shopping and street entertainment