SOUTH MOLTON’S BIG CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 December

 Christmas is a magical time, and South Molton offers a really spectacular Big Christmas Festival the first weekend of December, where families can enjoy a wide variety of seasonal treats, with something different to do and see each day. 

For the first time there will be an Art Expo in the Assembly Rooms from Thursday to Saturday, where pictures and other creative offerings from local schools will be on view in the town’s elegant Georgian Assembly Rooms. 

The parish church of St Mary Magdalene is a breath-taking and ‘must see’ sight when it hosts the Christmas Tree Festival which runs from Thursday 5 – Monday 9 December.  As you enter, the church seems to shimmer with light from the many trees exhibited by local organisations and businesses. 

Then Friday evening the Winter Wonderland late night shopping event begins in style. Hundreds of local children join the Lantern Parade, wending their way around the town, led by a local samba band, to the town’s historic square.  And for the first time, Santa will be giving his team of reindeer a night off, and instead Cedric the donkey will be transporting him to his grotto! Under the Christmas tree on The Square, carols are sung, accompanying the Town Band, and the evening’s entertainment begins in earnest!  Experience real snow (whatever the weather!), live music, fair round rides, a Christmas Pannier Market, specialist marquees, hog roast and sample some of the delicious fare that North Devon is famous for. 

Saturday sees South Molton’s regular Pannier Market, which is full of interesting items to browse and buy – antiques, furniture, clothing, portraits by talented local artists, handbags, and food and drink. In the afternoon, the Christmas Plaza (adjacent to the main car park), is busy with a large arts and crafts marquee, and others where local nursery Mini Moltons will offer activities such as face painting. From 2.00 children can meet and be photographed with cartoon favourites such as Peppa Pig, Woody, and Mickey and Minnie Mouse. There will also be budget- saving half price offers for the fun fair, using vouchers from the Christmas Festival brochure.  This will be widely available throughout the town, and distributed to local schools.

On Sunday, the country really comes to town as the covered Pannier Market transforms into a traditional farm market, complete with animals such as Exmoor ponies, cart horses, sheep, pigs, poultry and alpacas!  Throughout the day visitors can meet local farmers, who keenly contest the various sheep showing classes with their prize animals.  TV celebrity Jonny Kingdom will be there, along with food and drink aplenty and demonstrations of traditional crafts.  This is genuine North Devon, as seldom seen these days! 

The weekend is organised by the South Molton Business Association (SMBA), in conjunction with the Fatstock Committee.  SMBA’s Andy Clarke has been working hard since February 2013 to deliver an event that is even more spectacular than the previous year’s.  Andy says: 

“To experience a traditional country Christmas and a whole weekend of seasonal shopping, featuring local food and drink and a three day fun fair, come to South Molton!  There’s lots to see and do over a packed weekend, which includes favourites such as shopping, real snow and a visit to Father Christmas, while there are also new things for families to enjoy.  

With more than 100 stalls exhibiting their Christmas goodies over the three days, whatever you need to make Christmas special is bound to be on offer somewhere in South Molton!“

To book your accommodation for this weekend call South Molton Tourist Information on –                    01769 574122