⭐ FEATURED EVENTS (October 17-19)

🎃 Pumpkin Fest at Strawberry Fields, Lifton
Pumpkin picking, a Creepy Carnival maze, magic shows, and live music. Autumn at its most Instagrammable.
📍 Strawberry Fields, Lifton
🕓 Sat 18 & Sun 19 Oct, 10am – 4pm
💸 Free entry (charges for some activities)

🎤 Michael Starring Ben – The Michael Jackson Tribute
The King of Pop comes alive in this big-production tribute featuring live band, costumes and choreography that nails every move.
📍 Plymouth Pavilions
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, 7:30pm

A PLYM CARD UPDATE!

A little reminder of what PLYM CARD is…

PLYM CARD (not to be confused with Brit Card) is a digital discount card created to support Plymouth’s amazing independent businesses. Cardholders will get access to exclusive discounts at a growing list of local gems - from your favourite cafés and bakeries to tattoo studios, restaurants, pet groomers, beauty salons, barbers and more essential services.

As previously mentioned, I can say we are now so close to launch. We are rapidly approaching 50 partaking businesses that will all be offering some amazing discounts to PLYM CARD holders.

It’s completely free for businesses to join, and it means extra footfall, promotion across our channels, and a bit more buzz for the local independent scene. NO NATIONAL CHAINS.

If you run a local business and want to get involved, just hit reply to this email or message us over on Instagram @plymcard.

Let’s give Plymouth’s indie scene the love it deserves 💚

📅 Events Happening This Weekend

FRIDAY 17th OCTOBER

🎶 50 Years of Blood On The Tracks
Folk favourite Tobias ben Jacob (of Jacob & Drinkwater) brings Bob Dylan’s best-selling album back to life — strings, soul and storytelling included. Expect songs from Blood On The Tracks plus a nod to the new Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown.
📍 Barbican Theatre
🕓 Fri 17 Oct | Doors 7:30pm / Show 8:00pm (2 hrs)
💸 £16.96 | Under 18s with adult
🎻 Featuring Cori Smith (viola) & Seth Bye (violin/bass/keys)

✨ The Life of a Showgirl – Taylor Swift Album Launch Party
Swifties, this one’s yours. A glitter-soaked rooftop party spinning Taylor’s brand-new album The Life of a Showgirl alongside her greatest hits. Expect singalongs, confetti and main-character energy.
📍 Level 33 Rooftop, 30 Bath Street
🕓 Fri 17 Oct, from 8pm – late
💸 18+ / ID required / Free entry for NHS staff or birthday offer

🎨 Canvas Gallery Autumn Exhibition – 1st Birthday Bash
Colour, creativity, and cake. Canvas Gallery celebrates its first birthday with the opening night of their Autumn Exhibition. Pop by for art, chat and a glass of something nice.
📍 56 Ebrington Street
🕓 5pm – 9pm
💸 Free

🎭 Double Bill: Dear Sisyphus & The Skeleton is White
Two bold new works-in-progress at Theatre Royal’s Lab — one blending poetry and philosophy, the other dance and identity. Intimate, thought-provoking stuff.
📍 The Lab, Theatre Royal Plymouth
🕓 Fri 17 Oct, 7pm
💸 £7 | 16+

🎬 Urchin (15)
A gritty, deeply human debut from actor-turned-director Harris Dickinson. Frank Dillane stars as a Londoner fighting for a second chance.
📍 Arts University Plymouth Cinema
🕓 Fri 17–Wed 22 Oct | 6pm showings

🎞️ Mr. Blake at Your Service! (PG)
John Malkovich leads this warm French dramedy about grief, miscommunication and unexpected friendship. Subtitled and full of heart.
📍 Arts University Plymouth Cinema
🕓 Fri 17 Oct, 6pm | Sat 18 Oct, 8pm

🎭 Finding Nemo Jr.
A bright, family-friendly musical bringing Pixar’s ocean world to the stage.
📍 Devonport Playhouse
🕓 Fri 17 Oct, 7:30pm | Sat 18 Oct, 2:30pm & 7:30pm

SATURDAY 2nd AUGUST

🎶 Pogo Presents: Dub Princess & Hotsteppas + Shniece
Reggae, ska, jazz and Afrobeat collide in this lively Bristol-born collab. Expect soulful vocals and big energy.
📍 The Roundabout Pub, Drake Circus
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, 8pm – 11pm

🎓 University of Plymouth Undergraduate Open Day
Curious about life on campus? Take a tour, meet lecturers and see the famous wave tank.
📍 Main City Campus
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, from 9am
💸 Free (booking advised)

🎓 Arts University Plymouth Postgraduate Open Day
For anyone eyeing up a creative Master’s, explore studios, chat with tutors, and get inspired.
📍 Tavistock Place
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, 10am – 4pm

🎵 A Right Old Ding Dong – The London Songs
A community choir, soloists and kids from Widey Court Primary bring the streets of London to life through original music by local composer Sian Jamison.
📍 Market Hall, Duke Street, Devonport
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, evening

🧙‍♀️ October Half-Term Trail: Piskies vs. Trolls
They’re back and they’re feuding! Help your side win this playful family trail at Buckland Abbey.
📍 Buckland Abbey, Yelverton
🕓 Sat 18 Oct, 10am – 4pm (continues daily)
💸 Free (normal admission applies)

SUNDAY 19th October

🚂 Plymouth Collectors Toy & Train Fair
Trains, diecasts, LEGO, books. A friendly swap-and-buy fair with free parking and café.
📍 Scott Business Park, Beacon Park Road
🕓 Sun 19 Oct, 10am – 1pm
💸 £1 adults / kids free

🥾 South East Cornwall Adventure Day
Ferry across and hike the Rame Peninsula, from woodland trails to Atlantic views. Three route options, lunch included, ferry fares covered.
📍 Departs Plymouth Barbican / Royal William Yard
🕓 Sun 19 Oct, 9am – 4pm

☕ Grab a roast at HonkyTonk Wine Library
Local Jazz legend Martin Dale will be lighting up the room with his amazing Jazz Saxophone together 2 other amazing musicians. We accompany this live music with a fabulous Sunday Roast Board. 
📍 HonkyTonk Wine Library, Sutton Harbour
🕓 Sun 19 Oct, 3pm - 5pm

🥪 BUSINESS OPENING!

Sad news first… Beloved Bretonside café Minerva served its last grilled cheese toastie last week (still unmatched, if you ask me).

But before you start mourning your favourite brunch spot, there’s good news. They haven’t gone far. The team have moved over to Alma Yard and are relaunching under a fresh new name: SATO.

The new space marks a bit of an evolution for the Minerva crew, with a reworked menu and a few tasty surprises. Expect their refined brunch menu Wednesday to Sunday, and on Thursday nights, a dedicated Korean Fried Chicken Night. A nod to the pop-ups that won them a loyal following earlier this year.

Come Friday and Saturday evenings, they’ll be switching gears with seasonal supper dishes, inspired by their sell-out supper clubs, now available every weekend. Behind the bar, you’ll find Bluntrock Brewery on tap, alongside organic wines and a curated cocktail list to match the mood.

SATO will open this Saturday at Alma Yard - no bookings needed, just wander in from 9:30am onwards for brunch and a peek at the new offerings.

That’s your lot. Enjoy your weekend, peeps.