CHRISTMAS is coming to Dawlish with an exciting two-day community event planned.

Organised by Dawlish Town Council in partnership with Dawlish Chamber of Trade, a packed programme of Christmas events has been arranged to kick start the festive season in Dawlish on Saturday November 29 and Sunday November 30.

From 10am on Saturday 29th November, festivities will begin with a full day programme of Live Music performed mostly inside businesses around the town centre, showcasing local talent, whilst revellers enjoy some Christmas shopping.

Also at 10am, The Strand Centre will be opening its doors to an inside Christmas Fair where Father Christmas may be making a visit, alongside stalls, crafts and a tombola.

New this year is the ‘Dawlish Celebration Wall’ where the community can purchase a clear fillable bauble from Presents of Dawlish, The Strand Centre and Crafters, to fill with a special wish or message to a loved one and hang it on the railings of The Bowling Green.

For every bauble sold 50p will be donated to the Dawlish Mayoral Charities of 2025/26.

At 12pm, the main market will open along The Strand.

Throughout the day on Saturday there will be free family entertainment on offer including face painting, surprise festive performance artists and a choral performance from a local school.

The Christmas Lights Switch On begins at 4.30pm with a lantern parade led by the Dawlish Town Crier and his Consort, The Mayor, dignitaries, and local people displaying their colourful lanterns, a live nativity hauled by a festively decorated tractor and trailer.

Father Christmas will be arriving not by a sleigh, but by a vintage Bedford Delivery Van owned by Gay’s Creamery, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of trading in Dawlish this year.

Anyone wishing to join the Lantern Parade is welcome to do so, please bring lanterns to the bowling clubhouse for 4.15pm.

The crowd will gather in front of the bowling green just before 5pm to celebrate the switching on of the Christmas Lights.

This year’s display promises something different but organisers are keeping tight lipped to ensure it’s a surprise.

A spokesman said: ‘We don’t want to give too much away but we think it will be a pretty ‘sweet’ spectacle, with snow gingerly expected in the forecast.’

Following the light-switch on, a brass band will accompany a large group Christmas Carol Sing-along, probably the biggest that Dawlish has seen in recent years.

The Christmas Market and late night shopping will continue into Saturday evening until 7pm, with further live music along The Strand.

On Sunday November 30, the second day of the Christmas Market opens at 10am with a performance from the newly formed and highly talented Dawlish Town Band.

Throughout the day there will be even more festive entertainment with a special opportunity for little ones to chat with Father Christmas in his magical grotto.

Across The Brook from 10am-4pm, Annie’s The Salon will be hosting their ‘Winter’s Elegance Charity Bazaar’ where there will be further festive stalls, special treatments, hair tinsel, festive food and drink, toasted marshmallows.

Local artists performing throughout the weekend are; Monday’s Chyld, Poppy Eliza, Mark Wallington, Frank O’Friel, Steve Jackson and Des, Fireside Rebellion, 2STRANGE, Wrecked Again, and Jamie Cottrell, Elle Chappelle, Dawlish Rockwaves, Crazy Foot Tappers, Sisu, Bob Barclay, Trinity Prep School Choir, Bay Brass and Dawlish Town Band.

Further events are planned in December including

the ‘St Gregory’s Church Christmas Tree Festival from December 10 to 21 and EAT Festival Christmas on The Strand and the Lawn on Saturday December 13.

Throughout November and December, the community can enjoy the town council-funded annual Christmas light displays around the town, plus up to 98 lit up Christmas Trees above independent shops, eateries and Jubilee Bridge, courtesy of Dawlish Chamber of Trade and Commerce.

A huge amount of voluntary effort from Chamber members and the local community goes into wrapping almost a hundred Christmas Trees with lights every year.

Mayor of Dawlish Cllr Anthony James said: ‘This year’s lead up to Christmas celebrations, have got to be the best yet.

Both the traders and the town council have been working together for months to bring to you something new and exciting.

‘Only having half the lawn has not dithered those organising this year, it’s a challenge they have embraced. Come and join us in the town at our two-day market, the switching on of the lights, live music and of course having a fantastic choice of products in our independent shops.’

Chairman of Dawlish Chamber of Trade Neil Salter said: ‘I’m very excited about having one of the biggest Christmas celebrations Dawlish has seen in a long time.

‘We’ve got two fantastic days of Christmas markets, music, and festive fun — something for all the family to enjoy and a wonderful boost for our local shops and community.’