Festivals are part of Devon life and a variety of events are held throughout the year, celebrating food, music, local crafts, history and art. There is a festival for everyone, whatever your age or interest there is plenty to enjoy on your holiday to Devon.
Whether you’re a group looking to travel to one of these or maybe you’d like to include one in a tour of Devon we can help. Based in Truro we are a full service tour operator for South West England catering for groups large and small. We can offer a complete package of accommodation, transport, local guides and itineraries within Devon, Cornwall and throughout the UK.
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April – The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink will be held from the 8th-10th May . This ultimate Food Festival was launched in 2004 and celebrates local producers, local chefs and the West Country’s rich food culture. As well as featuring over 100 local food producers the festival has live music in the evenings and plenty of activities for children in the daytime.
May – The Brixham Pirate Festival is one of the biggest Pirate Festivals in the UK, it will be held on the 2nd and 3rd of May. The festival is free to attend, there is something for all the family with music, market stalls and plenty of pirate themed entertainment.
May – The Dart Music Festival is held in Dartmouth, this 3-day music festival will be held from the 15th-17th May . With over 100 performances which are held in more than 20 venues around Dartmouth it is one of the most popular events in the region. The Festival will be involved in commemorations of the MayFlower 400th Anniversary, with a concert being performed on the 17th May based on music telling the story of the Mayflower.
June – The English Riviera Airshow will take place in Torbay on the 6th and 7th of June . This popular Airshow attracts over 165,000 people to the area to see the wonderful air displays, stunts and flypasts. There is also plenty of other entertainment for everyone, with food stalls, children’s play areas, bars, craft stalls all in the Paignton Green area of Torbay.
June – The Axe Vale Show, Axminster will be held on the weekend of 20th and 21st June . This country show is perfect for a family day out, with plenty of stalls and marquees offering local food, drink, crafts, local produce and entertainment including dog shows.
July – Every year in Dartmouth Castle, the Inn Theatre Company stages an open-air production of one of Shakespeare’s plays. They will perform ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ from the 28th July -1st August.
July – Chagstock Music Festival, is set in the heart of Dartmoor and will be on from the 24th-25th July . It is a family friendly music festival with plenty of entertainment for children as well the 3 stages of live music.
July – On the 25th July the Mid Devon Show will be held at Chettiscombe near Tiverton. This one-day agricultural show is one of the best in the West Country and is a great day out for all of the family on holiday in Devon.
August – The Sidmouth Folk Festival has been held every year since 1955, this weeklong music festival will be held from the 31st July -7th August 2020. The Festival has a wide variety of events with something for every taste. As well as the music there is folk dancing, ceilidhs, storytelling and plenty of family entertainment and the chance to sample local food and drink.
August – The Ocean City Blues N Jazz Festival will be held from 14th -16th August 2020 on The Barbican, Plymouth. This free event held by the waterfront in Plymouth offers a wide range of music.
September – The Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival will be held from the 16th-20th September. It is one of the of the most friendly and exciting literary festivals in the UK and it is situated in a wonderful seaside location.
September – The Appledore Book Festival is a one of the biggest cultural events in Devon and attracts world class authors and speakers to the seaside village. The festival will take place from the 18th -26th September.
September – One of Torquay’s most famous residents was the author Agatha Christie. Every year around the date of her birthday; 15th September the town hosts the International Agatha Christie Festival. The Festival is a must for any Agatha or literary fan.
October – Powderham Food Festival takes place each autumn in the grounds of Powderham Castle, Exeter. It will be held on the 3rd and 4th of October and is a great family day out.
November – The town of Ottery St Mary is famous for its Tar Barrel Rolling which takes place on the 5th November every year, unless the 5th is a Sunday. This ancient festival which is said to date from the Gunpowder Plot in 1605, probably goes back even further to winter festivals in pagan times. This unique festival sees wooden barrels coated in tar and set on fire, which are then carried around the town on the backs of the ‘barrel rollers’.