Major festivals

There are festivals galore in Devon from food to folk festivals, sheep dog trials to Geopark celebrations.

The Plymouth Summer Festival takes over Plymouth during the months of May to September with a huge programme of events from the big screen shows to street entertainment and jazz festivals to fireworks championships.

The Exeter Festival of South West Food & Drink in April sees the region’s top chefs going head to head to create amazing dishes in the cookery theatre and local suppliers proudly provide tasters and sell their wares with the backdrop of Northenhay Gardens and Exeter Castle.

Devon County Show, the county’s largest event, takes place near Exeter. The show of rural life has expanded over the years to include rides, displays, shopping and more yet still has the traditional livestock showing and show-jumping.

Coinciding with International Geopark Week, The English Riveira Geopark Festival lasts two weeks and showcases the home-grown aspects of the English Riviera UNESCO Geopark -a packed itinerary celebrates everything the UNESCO Geopark area encompasses with sporting tournaments, arts, literary events, local music, food & drink fairs and more.

North Devon Festival celebrates the cultural heritage of the area and includes dance and music, fairs and art, sport and comedy and much more over the month of June. 

The GoldCoast Oceanfest at Croyde in June is all about good times, great sport, quality music and looking after the environment. Sporting contests include surfing, paddle racing, mountain bike trials and an aquathon.

Located in the North Devon picturesque fishing village, the Appledore Book Festival celebrates reading and learning, lead by enthusiastic literature fans with many guest speakers and authors.