The official ‘Switch On’ takes place at 6pm on Friday 29 November on the Harbourside Stage.
The Bay of Lights starts on Friday and Torquay United’s mascot, Gilbert the Gull, is to play a big part in proceedings. Gilbert has the honour of flicking the switch that illuminates the Bay and starts a range of festivities. He’d love to see as many of the Yellow Army as possible dressed in yellow!
A special opening night and official ‘switch on’ of the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail will take place at 6pm on Friday 29 November at the new Harbourside Stage on the Strand in Torquay. Razzmatazz Youth Theatre will kick off the event with an exciting live performance before the lights are officially turned on at 6:20pm. The Worshipful, The Mayor of Torbay, BBC Radio Devon and guests will be leading the countdown to Gilbert switching the lights on, followed by an evening of live music until 9pm. Entry to the event is free and everyone is welcome to join the festive fun.
The Bay of Lights is a Bay-wide initiative which incorporates everything from the Illumination Trail in Torquay, Brixham Lanterns, Lights & Illuminations across the bay, the Christmas Train of Lights from Paignton as well as seasonal events at local attractions including Kents Cavern and Model Village.
The Illumination Trail, which is free and accessible to all, will light up Torquay’s seafront, Torre Abbey and harbourside every evening from Friday 29 November 2024 until Thursday 2 January 2025. The light installations will run daily from 4.30pm, with sound elements until 9.30pm and lighting until 11pm.
Eighteen large installations will adorn the trail with a new LED light fountain, 1,000 colour changing hand placed flowers, pixel pads and a giant walk-through Christmas present, as well as some of the original favourites.
To view the Trail Map and plan your route visit: www.illuminationtrail.co.uk
The Bay of Lights Illumination Trail is made possible by Torbay Council, The English Riviera Bid Company, SWISCo, the creator of the light displays Future Technical Solutions (FTS), and media partners Big Wave Marketing.
New for 2024
This year’s Bay of Lights is full of new additions to attract visitors and showcase the very best of what the English Riviera has to offer this winter.
There will be free, live music at the newly created public realm space on the Strand, Torquay, for visitors to enjoy. Local artists will be performing on the Harbourside stage from 6pm to 9pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday until Saturday 21 December, with a special opening night on Friday 29 November from 6pm (mentioned above). To view the line up visit our website: Bay of Lights – Harbourside Stage – Torbay Council
Another new addition is Torquay’s first Christmas market which takes place from Friday 29 November to Saturday 22 December at Torre Abbey. With over 30 local stalls, fun family activities, and two large, covered areas, it’s the perfect place to soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy some Christmas shopping.
While visiting, you can also enjoy the Torre Abbey light show which will be projected onto the front of the historic building. The spectacular 3D display is the perfect starting point for the Illumination Trail and celebrates the building’s rich heritage, telling the story of 800 years of Christmas at the Abbey.
Parking
For the sixth consecutive year, Torbay Council are offering our ‘Pay for an hour, stay for the day’ parking promotion. The offer will run from Friday 29 November 2024 to Thursday 2 January 2025 in selected Torbay Council car parks.
The promotion allows you to enjoy the best of our town centres during the festive period. You and your family can fully explore what the main towns and surrounding areas have to offer – without worrying that your parking will expire. The offer will run alongside the dates for the Bay of Lights Illumination Trail, allowing you to explore this magical attraction throughout the season.
The offer will run from 29 November 2024 to 2 January 2025 (inclusive) at the following car parks:
Torquay – Lower Union Lane , Union Square (closes at 7pm) and Harbour
Paignton – Victoria multi-storey and Hyde Road (temporary car park)
Brixham – Central (up to the maximum stay), Freshwater and Oxen Cove
The fee will cover parking from when you arrive until midnight the same day (excluding Union Square which closes at 7pm, and Brixham Central which limits parking time to a maximum of three hours between 7am and 3pm). Fees are in line with zone charges.
For Lower Union Lane, payment should be on entry and not when leaving the car park.