It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like ….
The Countdown To Christmas! 

This year more than ever it’s a great opportunity to support our local shops and businesses, so please get these dates in the diary now for a Countdown to Christmas not to be missed.

 

We’ve dropped 5,000 leaflets through the doors of Topsham so we hope you’ve made a date with one, a few or all of our Love Topsham Christmas 2022 festivities!

  • 4.30pm to 5pm outside Matthews Hall – stand by for action from Higher Beings Circus stilt walkers, from renowned local musician Jimmy Ireland, and from Topsham’s Town Crier Rogan Meadows. Plus the final countdown to Lights On from our very own Liz and Dave Hodges, legendary figures in our community! Remember to get a mince pie and some indulgent hot choc from Matthews Hall Cafe.
  • 5pm – The Big Switch On! Get ready for a wonderful “ooooh” and “aaahh” when you see how beautiful the lights are this year on Fore Street, High Street, Ferry Road and Topsham Quay.
  • Then from 5pm until early evening head on down to Topsham Quay for you’ve-never-seen-anything-like-it fire juggling, Christmas Carols, and a special appearance from Father Christmas (who else?).  And grab some festive fare from The Lighter Inn and Route 2 cafe, serving up a treat for the early evening.

– 5pm to 8pm at St Margaret’s Church

– Over 30 artisan stalls from Topsham and beyond, plus mulled wine, festive food, carols and surprises!

Last year this created a wonderful Christmas atmosphere in Topsham and shops around High Street, Fore Street and Ferry Road – we’re hoping for an even bigger buzz this year, making it the perfect start to the festive season.

Topsham shops open until 9pm!

From the perfect decorations to unique Christmas gifts, ideal for all your friends and families. There will be music along the way from a wonderful 25-woman acapella troupe, and with Topsham’s pubs and restaurants in full swing, why not make an evening of it?

Congratulations to all shops and businesses entering TOPSHAM CHRISTMAS SHOP WINDOW competition – and particularly well done to Devon Air Ambulance Vintage Shop for winning, with Lavanda and Rodney Spiller Wealth Management close behind. There were commendations, too, for Nest and Circle. Congratulations everyone! The town looks a festive treat thanks to our retailers’ efforts!
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And for residents there’s our much-loved TOPSHAM CHRISTMAS HOMES COMPETITION. We’re looking for the ‘best dressed home’ within Topsham, with external lights, trees, elves and Santas – oh and perhaps a reindeer or two as well! To enter, please send your address to carolina.lovetopsham@gmail.com by December 11.   Judging is on December 12 with Love Topsham certificates, bags and chocolates to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners! Successful entrants will be announced on December 16.
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Please check back for the winners!

The trail has treats for children from Topsham’s shops and businesses displaying stars. But first we need to make the new stars!

So we’re holding a Star Making Workshop for Children at Topsham Museum on Wednesday December 7 at 4pm sharp until 5.30pm. 

It’s aimed at primary school age children (accompanied by a parent or guardian) although older children are welcome too. It’s led by local artist Alistair Lambert – thanks Alistair! There’s no need to register, just check in at the Museum on the day.

Then a week later there’s the Trail itself on Wednesday December 14 from 3pm, starting at Matthews Hall.

It’s open to all children, not just those who made the stars. Children with parents or guardians, please visit the Love Topsham team outside Matthews Hall, pick up a trail map and head to participating shops displaying the stars.

After picking up treats at each location, end the trail at Topsham Museum’s riverside garden where there’s a selfie frame (remember to post #lovetopshamtrail) and a little something for the adults too!

It’s all free so come on down, and remember to see and be seen in a Christmas Hat!