Popular Christmas Nights Out In Devon
This article explores non-pub Christmas nights out in Devon, including themed crazy golf, bingo, axe throwing and festive dining. It examines where these activities take place, why they attract visitors and who they suit, whether friends or colleagues.
Bingo, for example, continues to show enduring popularity, with over 1,200 UK players surveyed in a 2025 study and around 650 bingo premises operating in Great Britain in 2023.
Festive Fun on the Green with Themed Crazy Golf
Playing crazy golf is an easy, soft evening activity, great to do in the run-up to Christmas. Advent Calendars, twinkling lights, winter decorations and Christmas music are a great addition to the atmosphere. Away from the busy city, several of Torquay’s mini-golf courses are set in beautiful parks, making the evening play more intimate and relaxed.
The crazy golf courses in Exeter and Plymouth don’t necessarily have to have Christmas-themed decorations, but the winter setting makes it festive. Organised groups can do friendly tournaments, great to stimulate social engagement, and in a no-pressure setting.
Golf is good for any skill level, making it a great activity for everyone. Enjoying a golf session and then heading out for a meal or something warm to drink is a great way to wrap up a night.
Bingo Nights from Traditional Halls to Rave Events
Bingo still captures the attention of many; 38.5% of players in the 2025 WhichBingo UK Survey (based on 1,200 players) still play in-person, while 25% play a mix of in-person and online. Statista also indicates that 650 bingo sites were operational in the UK in 2023, a slight increase from the previous years.
These numbers reflect the evolution of the game from a social activity to a recreational one, and back to a social one -- all while remaining a popular activity.
In Devon, Exeter and Torquay still have traditional bingo halls that are convenient and local for a night out. These facilities allow attendees to engage in a unique social experience that is different from other entertainment amenities, providing attendees with a relaxed atmosphere in which they can converse with one another, compete in friendly games, and experience light-hearted entertainment.
In addition to the old-fashioned bingo halls, new “party bingo” or “rave bingo” events have also grown in popularity. They incorporate a mix of music, energetic game callers, and other audience engagement techniques to enhance the overall atmosphere, especially for younger players. These new formats are popular and growing, with data indicating that one in three respondents have participated in a party-style bingo event in the last year, according to the 2025 WhichBingo survey.
Even in the most relaxed environments, wacky things can happen, as reported on bingo fight in Torquay. When competitiveness and alcohol are mixed, it can turn an otherwise fun night into a total disaster. This goes to show that even the most benign social scenarios can lead to chaos, especially when large groups are involved.
The nostalgia and social interaction that bingo has to offer make it a hit with the public even today. However, even the most relaxed of environments can turn to chaos when competing interests are involved, especially with the addition of alcohol. Game hosts of these bingo nights are competent enough to know when their game could get a little rowdy.
Bullseyes and Cheers at Axe Throwing Venues
The bullseyes and cheers atmosphere of an axe-throwing venue makes it a unique, highly social, and physically active environment. In the Exeter area, recreational locations with professional supervision offer accessible and safe axe-throwing sessions for complete beginners. Experienced staff are always available to offer guidance on safety and technique.
Winter evenings are especially dramatic when it comes to axe throwing. This social and physical activity promotes coordination and concentration while allowing people to engage in some friendly competition. The mix of adrenaline and festive spirit makes it enjoyable for colleagues and friends alike. Some establishments are known for offering knifethrowing as well, giving big groups a chance to engage in multiple activities for the entire evening.
This activity stands out as it offers playful competition, physical engagement and a sense of novelty to the evening. This is what makes it so memorable in a non-traditional pub setting.
Festive Flavours at Christmas Dining Experiences
Christmas dining out in the festive season is a relaxed alternative for a Christmas night out. From the end of November, individually owned Exeter hotels and restaurants prepare decorated rooms and themed winter menus along with seasonally inspired dishes. Barnstaple, a town of North Devon, offers gala dinners that serve festive dishes and complement them with a celebratory atmosphere created by live music and drinks for groups.
Some establishments have different types of entertainment for themed dinners and bottomless parties, and some choose to mix entertainment and dining for a party. Others, for a holiday touch, prepare a Christmas Eve menu for fine dining in historical venues or elegantly curated restaurants for a more sophisticated holiday touch.
Dining provides the ability to adjust to social interaction in a communal environment without the need for alcoholic drinks or more lively activities, allowing a convergence to be present and celebrate the holiday spirit.
