It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas as Drake Circus

Santa’s sleigh is packed and he’s preparing for another Christmas to remember in Britain’s Ocean City with it’s dazzling illuminations, great shopping and delicious food.

Father Christmas will arrive at Drake Circus on November 15 to kick off festivities with the launch of his Smeaton’s Tower lighthouse grotto and the Centre’s light-switch on.

The annual event also marks the start of Thursday late night Christmas shopping at the Centre – with more than 70 great brands and plenty of delicious dining options, it’s the perfect opportunity to bring the whole family and kick your Christmas shopping off in style.

Celebrations start at 3pm in partnership with Radio Plymouth, who’ll be bringing the Christmas tunes to get you in the festive spirit! There will also be a snow machine on Old Town Street, creating a winter wonderland at 4pm every day until Christmas Eve.

Santa and his elves will illuminate the Centre with the light-switch on at 5pm, before heading into the Grotto to meet the city’s children.

And from 7-8pm, there are some great prizes up for grabs as part of Radio Plymouth’s Spin-the-Wheel competition, where you could win anything from a free pretzel to a £100 spend at Bill’s or a Marks and Spencer champagne hamper!

Drake Circus Centre Director Greg Lumley said: “Christmas at Drake Circus is all about spending time together. Our light switch-on marks the start of plenty of festive fun at the Centre and the opportunity to create lasting memories for the whole family.”

“For a stress-free shopping experience, shoppers can enjoy finding the perfect presents and a bite to eat with the car park open from 6:30am until midnight, plus parking for £4 after 4pm.”

Drake Circus is the one-stop shop for gifts perfect for the whole family with stores including Joules, Jack Wills, Skinny Dip London, and The Entertainer as well as high street favourites Primark, Next, and Marks and Spencer.

Plus, Christmas shopping can be hard work – so why not treat yourself to a meal at Bill’s or Yo! Sushi, or grab a sweet treat to go from Krispy Kreme or Mr Pretzels.

You can book a grotto slot now at www.bookfatherchristmas.co.uk/drakecircus

for dates starting from November 17, or visitors can stop by the Centre and queue to meet Santa, who will be meeting children all the way up to Christmas Eve.

Drake Circus is Plymouth’s most popular shopping destination with over 70 of the UK’s top brand names and biggest stores in the region under one roof. For further details of all the joyful things happening at the Drake Circus and Plymouth this Christmas visit www.drakecircus.com, www.visitplymouth.co.uk, or www.plymouthshopping.co.uk