Howdy, Devon Lovin’ Peeps,

We’ve been holding off talking about Christmas (it’s only November after all) but the dam has burst.

Now we’re getting festive.

The garden that turns into a colourful kingdom

Gardens, woodlands and open spaces turn multi-coloured in the festive transformation of RHS Rosemoor.

Explore the Rosemoor Glow illuminated trail and see surprising sculptures like these dancing hares and listen to soundscapes along the way.

The show is on 3 or 4 days a week until the end of December. Family entertainment runs every night including fire shows, illuminated fairies, music and Narnia characters.

For shopping there’s the Magic of Christmas craft and food fairs running for the next 2 weekends.

Tickets. Adults £12.95. Child £6.95. Members £8.95

The Mediaeval Baebes: The Procession Christmas Concert, Exeter

With haunting vocals and a torch lit procession, The Mediaeval Baebes will parade to their concert at Exeter Cathedral on Saturday 9th December.

Bring a drum or lantern, or dress up and join in, as this sets the tone for the immersive experience (video) to come.

The classical choir sings Christmas carols and folk songs alongside tracks from their latest album MydWynter and poetry readings.

The Baebes are one of the most successful female-led, early music and folk groups in Europe with 11 studio albums and an Ivor Novella Award.

Doors open at 7pm, concert starts at 7.30pm. Exeter Cathedral, 1 The Cloisters, EX1 1HS

Tickets. Adults £27.50. Children £12.50

Festive fund-raising run for the Exmouth lifeboat

Run along the scenic Exmouth seafront with the lifeboat station as the backdrop and support the life-saving work of the RNLI.

If you really want to get into the spirit put a pair of antlers on your head, but no one’s going to force you.

With a 5K and 1k Santa Saunter along a dead flat coastal route, the fund-raiser is good for seasoned runners or first time joggers. Everyone gets a medal.

Open to all ages, but under 15s must be accompanied by an adult.

Book a place for £6.13

Check out this raging folk, fusing hypnotic pan-European melodies with dance rhythms. Phew!

Mixing heavy beatbox, wild fiddle and accordian, Ushti Baba promise a thrill-filled night in Totnes on Thursday 30th November.

The Bristol-based 7-piece deliver a fiercely fresh perspective (video) of many genres while paying warm tribute to traditional folk roots.

You may not have heard of them, but they’ve been tearing up local venues and festivals for a decade with their eclectic blend of European klezmer instrumental, sea shanties and jigs.

Now they’re about to release a single from a new album and are playing for one night at The Barrel House Ballroom.

Tickets from £13.20

Take in the sights, sounds and smells of a Dickensian Christmas

The smell of chestnuts cooking on steam engines will waft through the streets of Tavistock for the popular Dickensian Evening.

There’s usually a buzzing atmosphere at the late-night shopping when shop keepers dress up in Victorian attire to get into the spirit and there’s free entertainment all evening.

It’s all happening a week tomorrow (Friday 1st December) and the fun starts with the Christmas lights switch-on at 5.45pm.

Look out for stilt walkers, choirs, bands, and street entertainers performing throughout town.

There's an old-fashioned merry-go-round fairground ride and candy floss.

Craft, food, drink and gift stalls can be found around town and in Butcher’s Hall, and check out the festive scenes in St. Eustachius Church.

Free parking in the centre of town from 3pm and free park and ride bus from Morrisons Car Park from 4.15pm.

Rock stars come and go but Jools Holland never goes out of fashion

From playing pubs in the East End docks to leading his Rhythm & Blues orchestra and presenting the Later TV show, it’s a passion for all types of music that makes Jools Holland evergreen.

The current 19-piece Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra (video) plays at Plymouth Pavilions on Friday 8th December, and you get a lot of bang for your buck.

The orchestra consists of pianist, organist, drummer, three female vocals, guitar, bass guitar, two tenor saxophones, two alto saxophones, baritone saxophone, three trumpets, and three trombones.

Special guests are Pauline Black and Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson of The Selecter (video) and Joss Stone (video)

Tickets from £37.34

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Listings

🌊 North Devon

NOVEMBER

Today

TALK | 🐈 Learn about Britain’s rarest mammal, the European wildcat and its possible reintroduction in Devon | Online talk | Register here

Sunday

ENVIRONMENT | 🌊 Look after the North Devon coastline by taking part in a Woolacombe beach clean up with Plastic Free Woolacombe and the National Trust | Mill Rock, Woolacombe EX34 7HL | Free

SHOPPING | 👗 Want a more environmentally friendly wardrobe? | Try the Vintage and Upcycled Clothes Market for lovely and unique pieces | St Mary’s Church Hall, Appledore EX39 1RL. 3pm to 7pm

DECEMBER

Fri 1st

TRIBUTE BAND | 🎙️ It’s back to the 1970s with the Bootleg Blondie tribute band and some of Debbie Harry’s greatest hits | Palladium Club, Bideford EX39 2DE | Tickets £16.50

Wed 6th

THEATRE | 🎭 Climate Change Theatre | Watch a mixture of short plays with global climate change themes | Bridge Chambers, Barnstaple EX31 1HB | Adult tickets £7.21, U16s £3.96

Fri 8th

MUSIC | 🎤 Watch Mad Dog Mcrea live in Barnstaple and enjoy a blend of pop, folk and jazz music | JCT27, Barnstaple EX31 1SB | Tickets £21

Sat 9th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your hands on some festive treats at the Bideford Christmas Market | Bideford Pannier Market, Bideford EX39 2DR | Free

Sat 9th to Sat 23rd

CHRISTMAS FUN | 🎡 Visit the Magic of Christmas at the Milky Way Adventure Park | Bideford EX39 5RY | Tickets from £4.50 (not including regular ticket entry)

Wed 13th to Sun 31st

THEATRE | 🎭 Immerse yourself in the magical and mystical world of Sleeping Beauty at this year’s panto | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £15

Sat 16th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Wander through lovely Barnstaple countryside and finish the adventure by listening to carols in the town square | Fair View Car Park, Barnstaple EX31 1JR | Free (car parking £2.50)

Sun 17th

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎙️ What’s your go to karaoke song? Now’s your chance to perform at the Cedars Inn Karaoke and Curry Night | Barnstaple EX31 2HE | Tickets £15

Fri 22nd

MUSIC | 🎧 Show off your best dance moves at the Howl at the Moon silent disco | Barnstaple Pannier Market, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets £16.50

Tue 26th

FESTIVITIES | 🍗 Enjoy some mulled wine, music and a BBQ, at Clovelly’s annual Boxing Day BBQ | Clovelly Harbour, The Quay, Clovelly EX39 5TF. Free entry to the village

Sun 31st

NEW YEAR | 🥂 Travel back to the 1920s with a Gatsby Gala Dinner | The Barnstaple Hotel, Barnstaple EX31 1LE | Tickets £55

2024

FEBRUARY

Mon 19th to Sat 24th

THEATRE | 🎭 Celebrate the 70th anniversary of the iconic production, The Mousetrap, by Agatha Christie | Who is the murderer? And who is their next target? | Queen’s Theatre, Barnstaple EX31 1SY | Tickets from £19.50

🐬 South Devon

NOVEMBER

Today

TALK | 🐈 Learn about Britain’s rarest mammal, the European wildcat, and its possible reintroduction in Devon | Online talk | Find out more and register

Today until Sunday

ENTERTAINMENT | ⛸️ See your favourite Disney characters at Disney on Ice | Westpoint Arena, Exeter EX5 1DJ | Tickets from £32.60

Friday until Sunday

ENTERTAINMENT | 🦁 Celebrate Paignton Zoo’s 100th Anniversary with light displays, silent disco and festive food | Paignton Zoo TQ4 7EU | Adult tickets £20.50, U16s £14.50

Thu 30th

CLIMATE CHANGE | 🌍 In preparation for the next COP climate summit join the Climate Cafe and meet fellow eco warriors | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Free 

DECEMBER

Fri 1st

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Immerse yourself in traditional Christmas at Tavistock’s Dickensian Evening with festive craft stalls, live music and entertainment | Tavistock Town Centre PL19 0AE | Free

Fri 1st and Sat 2nd

COMEDY | 🎙️ Laugh along with Sarah Millican as she tells you about her childhood, marriage… and divorce | Plymouth Pavilions, Plymouth PL1 3LF | Tickets £37.90

Fri 1st to Sun 17th

CHRISTMAS | 🎄 Get your Christmas shopping started at Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market | Enjoy entertainment, great food and get festive! | Cathedral Green, Exeter EX1 1HS | Free

Sat 2nd

WILDLIFE | 🐬 Spot dolphins, whales (maybe) and sea birds off the coast of Wembury Point and collect data for the Devon Wildlife Trust | Weather dependent | Wembury Marine Centre, Church Rd, Wembury PL9 0HP | Free

Sun 3rd

FUN RUN | 🎅 Join the Plymouth Santa Fun Run and raise money for charity | The Barbican, Plymouth PL1 2LE | £15 entry fee

Mon 12th

NATURE | 🦅 Join a guided bird watching cruise on the River Exe and learn about winter species | Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth Marina, Pier Head, Exmouth EX8 1FE | Tickets £14

Sat 16th

MURDER MYSTERY | 🔎 Can you uncover the murderer? Spend an evening solving a crime, along with drinks and a three course meal | The Box, Plymouth PL4 8AX | Tickets £55

Sun 17th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Join The Comedy Show and see the best in stand up from around the world | Barnfield Theatre, Barnfield Rd, EX1 1SN | Tickets £22.50

2024

JANUARY

Tue 23rd to Wed 24th

COMEDY | 🎙️ Enjoy an evening with Romesh Ranganathan as he warms up for his new tour | Northcott Theatre, Exeter EX4 4QB | Tickets from £30.50

FEBRUARY

Sun 25th

SHOWTIME | 🎤 Did you think Rob Brydon was just a game show host? | Enjoy an evening full of comedy, singing and impressions | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £39

MARCH

Tue 19th to Sat 23rd

MUSICAL | 🎭 Follow the journey of twin brothers separated at birth in Blood Brothers | Princess Theatre, Torquay TQ2 5EZ | Tickets from £16.80

Wed 20th to Sat 23rd

BALLET | 🩰 Watch the Birmingham Royal Ballet’s production of the classic fairytale Sleeping Beauty, with music from the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia | Theatre Royal, Plymouth PL1 2TR | Tickets from £27

Sun 31st

ENTERTAINMENT | 🎤 Spend the evening with Aled Jones, sharing his stories, songs and memories from the music and entertainment industry over the last 40 years | Palace Theatre, Paignton TQ3 3HF | Tickets from £30

🏆️ Win Devon Prizes

We find Devon prize competitions so you don’t have to. Entry is free unless stated. Closing dates are in brackets.

🍺 A hamper of Devon-made drinks (rum, gin, beer and wine) worth £49.99 from Bays Brewery (25 Nov)

🌊 2 nights at Soar Mill Cove, South Devon, lunch, wine giftset and a £250 voucher (26 Nov)

🎭️ A BIG night out in Plymouth for two people: theatre, meal and hotel (26 Nov)

New!  🥧 A chance to win 1 of 10 £200 vouchers for Devon Hampers (26 Nov)

💤 2 nights in a Torquay beach hut (30 Nov)

🌲 A 2-night stay for a family of 4 at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth, including a welcome hamper worth £500 (30 Nov)

🍸️ A limited edition South Hams boozy truffle collection box from Salcombe Dairy (30 Nov)

⛳️ A 2-night break for 8 people in a self-catering lodge at Woodbury Golf & Country Club, Exeter (30 Nov)

🍾 A 4-night stay in a shepherds lodge at Dittisham Hideaway, Dartmouth with a welcome hamper for two people worth a total of £1,000. (31 Nov)

New! A 2-night stay for two people including breakfast and dinner at Mercure Paignton, worth £500.

🪙 A £200 voucher to spend at Exeter shops and restaurants (1 Dec)

⭐️ A “Golden” ticket to Devon attractions worth £1,500 (1 Dec)

🍾 A luxury one-night stay and a three-course meal for two at The Collective at Woolsery near Bideford (31 Dec)

Terms and conditions apply. See individual websites.

Got a competition? Let us know.

That’s all for this week.

With love, cream and jam, in that order.

😎 Andy, Esme, Lara and the Go Devon! team

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