Plymouth is fantastic for shopping, with some fine shopping experiences awaiting any students lucky enough to be living there – read on to find out the best stores around…

Plymouth shopping centre

Plymouth shopping centre? Well, it has to be Drake Circus. Situated in close proximity to Plymouth University campus and Plymouth College of Art, this shopping outlet has all the favourites for you to choose from. Offering late night shopping, a scattering of food and coffee options and a varied selection of shops from H&M to Waterstones.

Plymouth Late Night Shopping

If you are looking to do some late-night shopping in Plymouth, Drake Circus, the indoor shopping complex popular for shops and restaurants, stays open until 8pm on Thursdays.

Discover Plymouth’s unique independent shops 

Shopping in Plymouth isn’t all about the shopping mall though. There are a number of treasures to discover for a local, independent shopping experience. Need that perfect gift to take home to the parents for birthdays, Mother’s or Father’s Day, or as a ‘just because’ kinda gift? Look no further!

• Bud on Hyde Park Road and Nook Houseplants on Southside Street are two of our favourite places for last-minute gifts for parents, sprucing up a kitchen or breathing life into bedrooms. 

• PRIME – Plymouth’s independent skateboard store, found on Commercial Road. Operating since 2008, PRIME sells all the well-known skateboarding brands including DC, Etnies and of course Vans.

• Barrel & Still – Suppliers of distinctive drinks from around the world. They are reasonably priced, supply local products, and are always a place where you can find rare and hidden gems. Perfect for a present for the parents! 

• Plymouth Market – The market has been open since 1959.  Located on Cornwall Street, the Market is open 6 days a week. With shops and stalls selling everything from food and treats to fashion and arts and crafts. A few Tudor Price favourites are Tea & Bun, A Taste of Thailand and The Shellfish Deli. 

• Who doesn’t like chocolate?! Head to Cafe Amor, previously Chocaccino for delicious handmade chocolates and explore The House That Jack Built, home to an eclectic collection of shops selling gifts. Both can be found on Southside St. 

Plymouth Christmas Shopping

With shops galore ranging from the big popular brands to unique independent stores like those listed below, Plymouth is the perfect destination for getting your Christmas shopping done. If you are a student living in the city, getting your Christmas shopping done in Plymouth before heading home for Christmas is a great idea – there’s a huge amount of choice which makes it one of the best UK destinations for buying gifts for the family for Christmas.

Plymouth Late Night Christmas Shopping 2024

If you are busy during the day, late night Christmas shopping in Plymouth is the perfect solution – and you can also take in the city’s fantastic Christmas lights.

Despite cutbacks leading many town and city councils to cancel their Christmas lights for 2024, luckily Plymouth’s shoppers have avoided the same fate. Crowds will gather in Plymouth City Centre to see the spectacular Plymouth Christmas lights switched on for the first night of late night Christmas shopping in Plymouth, which has still to be confirmed but is likely to be around Thursday 14th November 2024.

And Plymouth shops stay open late every Thursday night until Christmas – simply unmissable if you are staying in or just visiting the city during the festive season.

Plymouth Christmas Market 2024

There’s nothing like a traditional Christmas market to make Christmas shopping an extra special experience, and Plymouth Christmas Market is no exception. Plymouth’s 2024 Christmas Market is likely to be the biggest ever, with the shopping public in the mood to get out and be festive following years of COVID-19 disruption to the usual Christmas shopping traditions.

In addition to a wide range of stalls selling Christmas gifts and decorations, there’s a fantastic selection of food stalls too, where you can sample a huge range of festive cuisine – and festive drinks too.

Where is Plymouth Christmas Market?

Plymouth Christmas Market is located in the heart of the city at The Piazza in Armada Way.

Plymouth Christmas Market Opening Times for 2024

Below are the expected opening times for the 2024 Plymouth Christmas Market, with daily opening scheduled in the run up to Christmas:

• Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays: 10am till 6pm
• Thursdays: 10am till 9pm
• Fridays and Saturdays: 10am till 6pm
• Sundays: 10am till 5pm

Plymouth Christmas Market Entertainment

As well as festive market stalls, there is some fine entertainment laid on for all to enjoy. The Plymouth live music scene is thriving at any time of year, but the Christmas market adds its own flavour to proceedings, with some great music acts and community groups performing live daily, including:

• local choirs,
• steel bands,
• jazz singers
• and folk music.

More to discover in Plymouth

As well as some fantastic shopping, Plymouth also offers a fantastic range of student-friendly restaurants, bars, and places to enjoy an afternoon tea. And if you happen to be a student looking for a place to rent in the city, we can help you out there too – take a look at our Plymouth student accommodation available to lease now!