New Christmas Market plan for Torquay

One of the companies behind the success of the Christmas market in Exeter is hoping to do the same in Torquay.

Exeter Bar co – a community based events company - has announced that in partnership with Torbay Council and Torre Abbey they will be establishing a Christmas market - the Torre Abbey Christmas Market.

They say that feedback from residents in the past has highlighted that the Bay of Lights is a huge draw and much-loved event in Torbay and that a Christmas Market would be a great addition, giving people space to stop along the trail and immerse themselves in Christmas festivities.

Exeter Bar co have experience in Christmas markets as they have run the Bar at the Cathedral Christmas Market as well as summertime festival Exeter Fest and Manor Fest. 

They are all family friendly and free to enter events with a focus on bringing the local community together. They also ran the bar provision for the English Riviera Airshow after successfully tendering for it in 2024.

Nikki Fairclough, co-founder of Exeter Bar Co said: "We are thrilled to be bringing a Christmas Market to Torquay.

"It’s a great area and the talented traders who live here have really embraced the idea and come out in force.

"Christmas Markets provide a great activity for the local community as well as drive footfall to the town as we see with the Exeter Cathedral Market which brings over 600,000 people to Exeter city centre over the one month period. 

"We plan to start with a choice group of traders but eventually have a lovely big Christmas Village with lots for people to do while they also enjoy the Bay of Lights. And what better place than the hugely historic and interesting Torre Abbey.’"

The Bay of lights will run from the November 29 to January 2. The 1.5mile long route runs from Torre Abbey taking in 12 fabulous installations and a few surprises along the way.

This year Torre Abbey will be lit up with a projection mapping video retelling the history of the Abbey and surrounding area with an exciting light and sound show.

The Torre Abbey Christmas Market will form the perfect space for visitors to do some Christmas shopping or to start or end the Bay of Lights trail with plenty of food traders serving delicious food from Greek to Pizza and traditional sausages to delightful warm crumbles. 

There will be two large, covered areas where customerss can grab a mulled beverage or local beer while tucking into some delicious festive food from the brands on site.

Cllr Jacqueline Thomas, Cabinet Member for Tourism, Culture & Events and Corporate Services at Torbay Council said: "We are delighted to announce that the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail is back for a third consecutive year. Each year we are developing and growing the trail so that it keeps enchanting people of all ages.

“Feedback from the community told us that a Christmas Market would be a great addition to the Bay of Lights initiative. We’ve worked to make that possible this year and we hope people enjoy it and fully immerse themselves in the Bay wide programme of Christmas festivities.”

The Torre Abbey Christmas Market is currently accepting traders with a special focus on local brands. Organisers say the response has been incredible and gift and craft applications are still open until mid-October.

The Torre Abbey market runs from November 29 to December 22.