What's on in Exeter: November and December 2026

November 2026

Ongoing until 21 February: Living Labyrinths - Art and Fungi

3 October 2026 to 21 February 2027, during museum opening hours | Art and natural-history exhibition | Galleries 21 and 22, Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter | Standard £6 online or £8 at the desk; under-19s and accompanying carers free.

Explore fungi through contemporary ceramics, glass, painting, textiles and sound, alongside material from RAMM's collections. Highlights include Beatrix Potter's fungi watercolours and new work by Gemma Anderson-Tempini and Jason Singh.

5 November: Ancient Egypt for home educators

Thursday 5 November, advertised session 10.30am to 2pm; arrival from 10.15am, activities from 10.45am | Learning day, ages 7 to 11 | Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter | £7 per child; a participating parent or carer must remain with each family.

Try the ancient game of Senet, handle objects and learn about mummification and the tomb of Shep-en-Mut. Children work in small groups, with a private lunch and breakout room included. Book through the museum's event page.

5 November: Medieval art sketch-and-learn workshop

Thursday 5 November, 1pm to 3pm | Art and heritage workshop | Exeter Cathedral Library and Archives | Free; advance booking through the event page.

Explore how medieval religious figures and images communicated ideas, using examples from the Cathedral. Then sketch your own medieval-style iconography in a Being Human Festival workshop.

11 and 25 November, 9 December: Exeter Blitz gallery handling

Wednesdays 11 and 25 November and 9 December, 10.30am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm | Hands-on local history | Making History gallery, RAMM, Exeter | Free, drop in.

Handle authentic and replica objects connected with wartime Exeter, guided by museum volunteers. The session explores life on the Home Front and the impact of the city's air raids. The Anderson Shelter experience has restricted access.

From 13 November: Exeter Cathedral Christmas Market

Friday 13 November to Sunday 13 December | Seasonal market | Cathedral Green, Exeter | Monday to Wednesday 10am to 7pm; Thursday to Saturday 10am to 9pm; Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Browse more than 100 festive traders, with West Country food, handmade gifts and seasonal bars. The Cathedral also offers entry by donation during the market period. Check the market's plan-your-visit page for access and travel details.

From 27 November: Sleeping Beauty

Selected performances Friday 27 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 | Family pantomime, recommended ages 5+ | Northcott Theatre, Exeter | Advertised tickets £21.50 to £70; approximately two hours and 20 minutes including interval.

Exeter Northcott and Le Navet Bete bring their comic style to the fairytale. The run includes BSL, captioned, relaxed and audio-described performances. Choose a family performance when booking; the separately advertised No Kids Allowed shows are adult editions.

December 2026

8 December: Library and Archives festive selection box

Tuesday 8 December, 1pm to 3pm | Archive discovery session | Library and Archives Reading Room, Exeter Cathedral | Free, drop in; no booking required.

See a seasonal selection of favourite items from the Cathedral's Library and Archives. This informal afternoon offers a chance to explore the collection beyond the main Cathedral visit.

10 December: Night at the Museum - Winter Wonders

Thursday 10 December, 5.30pm to 7.30pm | Family museum evening | Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter | £5.50 per person; children must be accompanied by a paying adult.

Explore the galleries by torchlight, make a festive decoration and hear winter stories from Clive PiG. The evening looks at celebrations from around the world, with face painting and a roaming Father Christmas.

From 13 December: Yeti

Selected public performances Sunday 13 to Sunday 27 December | Family theatre | Auditorium, Exeter Phoenix | Standard tickets £15 off-peak or £17 peak; concessions and family rates available, plus £1.50 ticketing charge.

Quirk Theatre's new neighbour arrives in the town of Little Trusting, setting off a snowy adventure about friendship and belonging. A BSL-interpreted performance is listed for 20 December at 4pm, and a relaxed show for 21 December at 1.30pm.

From 17 December: A (little) Christmas Carol

Selected performances Thursday 17 to Tuesday 29 December | Family theatre, created for ages 3 to 8 | Barnfield Theatre, Exeter | £17.50 to £19.50; approximately one hour without interval.

Three snowed-in siblings bring Scrooge's story to life through music, props and gentle storytelling. The production is designed as a friendly first theatre experience. Contact the theatre about reserved BSL seats for 17 December at 10.30am; a relaxed performance is listed for 28 December at 2pm.

20 December: Spork! Christmas Special

Sunday 20 December, 7.30pm | Poetry, comedy and live music, ages 14+ | Auditorium, Exeter Phoenix | Pay what you can £8 to £16; students and under-25s £6, plus £1.50 ticketing charge.

Chris White hosts spoken-word performers and the Exeter Railway Band in Spork!'s seventh Christmas special. The show includes strong language and adult themes. The organiser can advise on content and access.