There are just days to go until the first Bay of Lights Illumination Trail lights Torquay.

From Saturday 19 November 2022 until Sunday 8 January 2023, light and sound installations will guide residents and visitors along an accessible 1.5-mile route between Torre Abbey, Torquay seafront, Fleet Street and into the town centre.

The first of its kind trail for Torquay will run daily from 4:30pm, with sound elements until 9:30pm and the lighting until 11pm.

The Illumination Trail has been made possible after we successfully secured funding through our Towns Deal Funding bid, with additional support provided by SWISCo and the English Riviera BID Company. Created by local company Future Technical Solutions (FTS) using low-energy LED bulbs, the trail will allow people to stop and enjoy impressive light and sound displays.

The launch of the trail coincides with the switching on of the main Torquay town centre lights along Union Street and Fleet Street, which are provided by the Torquay Town Centre Partnership and Fleet Walk.

More widely across Torbay, we have awarded Brixham £5,000, Paignton £10,000 and St. Marychurch £5,000 to support Christmas lights and events.

To support both the Torquay events on Saturday 19 November, we will be offering our ‘pay for an hour stay for the day’ parking promotion in two of Torquay’s town centre car parks, ahead of the main promotion starting in December. This means shoppers and visitors will pay just £1.40 (cash payments only) to park in Lower Union Lane and Union Square car parks, allowing them to enjoy the town centre ahead of the light events.

To mark the occasion, an exciting evening of free family entertainment starting at 4.30pm is planned for the opening night. From the Promenade Stage, which will be located next to the Banjo area of Princess Gardens, families and friends can enjoy live music, theatrical performances, enchanted stories, and a magical igloo experience.

A trail map is available to download to help people plan their route, with promotional material also available for businesses to use. The map and promotional material for businesses can be found on our Bay of Lights webpage. 

The Illumination Trail forms part of the Bay of Lights initiative that incorporates everything from the Brixham Lanterns, Lights & ‘Iuminations, the Christmas Train of Lights from Paignton as well as seasonal events at local attractions including Torre Abbey, Kents Cavern, Cockington Court the Model Village, and local theatres. Discover more Christmas events across Torbay.  

We aspire to ensure the Bay of Lights offer grows annually across Torbay in all towns. Any business or organisation that is interested in supporting or sponsoring future Bay of Lights trails or initiatives are encouraged to contact events@torbay.gov.uk

Cllr Mike Morey, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Environment and Culture for Torbay Council, said; “We know people are looking forward to following the trail, which promises to bring a bit of Christmas magic to Torquay. Its free for people to follow and enjoy with their family and friends right up until 8 January 2023.”

Cllr Swithin Long, Cabinet Member for Economic, Regeneration, Tourism and Housing for Torbay Council, said; “The Bay of Lights initiative is going to be special and magical across Torbay this Christmas. As we strive to make the English Riviera the top UK destination all year round, we want to grow this event into annual attraction that brings visitors to the area.”

Entertainment line-up for Saturday 19 November

Promenade stage

5pm                       Doorstep Arts Christmas Choir

5.30pm                  Samba Roc Band

6.15pm                   Bay Brass

7.10pm                   Stagecoach Choir

7.45pm                   Becky Bennet Christmas Show

Walkabouts / Static Displays from 4.30pm – 8.30pm

Doorstep Youth Theatre - Zero Waste Jack in the Box
From the discarded wrappings of previous celebrations, Doorstep Youth Theatre will create an interactive experience that invites the whole family to get silly this festive season.

Doorstep Arts - Snow Queen Storytime
Join our Snow Queens as they capture the imagination of their audiences with enchanting and magical stories.

Above Bounds Theatre Collective - Polar bear Puppet
Come and see the life-size magical creature as he wanders through the illuminations trail meeting and greeting people as he goes.

Above Bounds Theatre Collective - Magical Igloo Experience
Step inside our magical igloo to be transported to a world covered in ice, from the rooftops to the roads, to the sky. Listen to atmospheric wintery tales, in this magical grotto alternative aimed at young children and their families (but enjoyed by all).

The ‘pay for an hour stay for the day’ parking promotion will also be running in Brixham on Saturday 26 November to support the Brixham Lanterns Lights and ‘Iuminations event. The offer will be applicable at Brixham Central (up to 3 hours), Freshwater and Oxen Cove (cash payments only). Promotional prices are in line with zone charges.