So December is here... and our Bay comes alive with festivities

With December upon us, I thought it would be good to share with you all the sparkly and Christmasy things that are taking place across Torbay over the festive period.
Our communities and businesses have been preparing for weeks, with lights going up in all our town centres and high streets.
I know I’ve noticed as I travel around the Bay, all the different lights, trees and houses which are twinkling away. It really helps with growing that festive spirit.
Friday December 1 sees the start of the Bay of Lights initiative for 2023. This year it is incorporating everything from the Illumination Trail in Torquay, the Lights & ‘Luminations in Brixham, that took place last weekend, to the Christmas Train of Lights and the zoo’s Glowild event in Paignton.
As well as all of this, so many of our popular local attractions are putting on some amazing seasonal illuminated events as well.
The trail in Torquay is a central part of the Bay of Lights initiative. One that I’m delighted to say has been generously supported by a range of local businesses, who are either based along the one-and-a-half-mile trail route or more widely across the Bay.
It is great to see this support for this popular event from our business community. Their commitment has allowed us to grow and expand our festive offering following the first Bay of Lights trail last year.
Our hope is that more businesses will come forward in 2024 to continue supporting this trail. It really does draw in those who live in the Bay to wider visitors who visit and enjoy the Bay over the Christmas period. With all this support we can keep adding more to the trail, making it bigger and brighter in years to come.
Some of the new light installations are guaranteed to give some memorable photo opportunities. I can already see the installation at Beacon Quay being popular. I won’t give more away; you’ll just have to go and see it for yourself!
This year I am pleased to say that the Illumination Trail will include Paignton and Brixham. Each of the towns will be getting their own 10-metre-high pixel Christmas tree. The tree in Torquay proved to be a family favourite last year, with many families and friends of all ages gathering around it to dance, sing and watch the stunning digital light show. I hope you agree, these will be great additions to the trail.
When you come along to see the trail in Torquay, or visit the illuminations in Brixham, make sure you use the Christmas parking promotion.
This is now back for the fifth year in a row. This promotion is also there to support our town centres and businesses. The ‘Pay for an hour, stay for the day’ parking promotion will be on offer in selected Torbay Council car parks.
The offer allows people to spend time in our towns, which could be shopping, dining or visiting a leisure attraction. And then enjoying the Christmas lights once the sun goes down.
The Bay of Lights Illumination trail and Christmas parking promotion runs from Friday, December 1 2023 to Tuesday, January 2 2024.
Torre Abbey, which is currently wrapped up for the ongoing refurbishment, also has an array of Christmas events taking place.
The second weekend of their Winter Fest Christmas Market is on at the weekend - Saturday and Sunday December 2 and 3.
There will be stalls selling unique handmade local items and locally sourced produce. Rumour has it Father and Mother Christmas will also be in the Abbey’s winter wonderland under crofts.
Also taking place throughout December there will be festive workshops, a theatre performance and a Christmas Carol Concert for everyone to enjoy.
You can find out more about all these events and the festive itinerary on Torre Abbey's website at this address: www.torre-abbey.org.uk/
I hope you will be able to get out and about and enjoy this festive offering as we lead up to Christmas.