Free Devon events will be taking place all over our beautiful county this summer – making it a great choice for the holidays.
Like traditional country fairs? Enjoy music, art or sports? Love celebrating and discovering the historical or unusual? Then there’s a free Devon event that’s perfect for you.
Read on for details of some great free Devon events, and follow the links to find many more.
Buckfast Abbey Beekeeping Visits
Sunday mornings all summer, Buckfastleigh
Tour the beekeeping department at Buckfast Abbey and learn more about the famous Buckfast Bee. Visits last a couple of hours and include a talk, visit to the bees (protective suits are provided!) and light refreshments. There’s a max group size of 10, children must be aged over 5 and above, and visits must be pre-booked – entry to the abbey and gardens is free, as are these guided visits. More
Devon Guild of Craftsmen – Magnificent Mires & Beautiful Bogs
August 26 2017, Bovey Tracey
Magnificent Mires & Beautiful Bogs is the theme for the August Bank Holiday weekend at this great free place to visit – a Grade II Listed building with shop, exhibition gallery and cafe – and you’ll find a wonderful variety of contemporary crafts. On Saturday 26 August there’ll be a family drop-in printmaking workshop by Sarah Morris, and Devon Wildlife Trust will also be be presenting information on these fascinating habitats with a quiz and other activities for children and families.
Summer Fair at The Donkey Sanctuary
August 13 2017, Sidmouth
This lovely place is always free to visit, and a great time to go is on the day of its Summer Fair. This year will be bigger and better than ever, with entertainment for the whole family, including food and drink, shopping, donkey meet and greet, trailer rides, Punch and Judy, live music and entertainment, stalls and games run by our volunteers and staff and go-karting.
There are also free summer activities going on at The Donkey Sanctuary (entry to the sanctuary is always free) from July 23-August 31 2016.
More
Sidmouth Folk Week
August 4-11 2017
This week-long celebration of music, dance and song attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year to over 700 events, including major league concerts, intimate sessions, ceilidh dancing and family entertainment. Not all events are free, but many are, and the town’s streets and venues come alive during the festival. More
Children’s Week on Paignton Green
August 15-19 2017
This annual week of fun returns to Paignton Green on August 15 with fun and entertainment for all the family. There’ll be a packed programme of performances, workshops and events throughout the week, the majority of which will be free.
British Firework Championships
August 9-10 2017, Plymouth
The world famous British Firework Championships returns to Plymouth for its 21st showdown in August 2017, with top pyrotechnic companies competing for the top spot. Fun on the night also includes music entertainment from Heart Radio, fair rides and food. More
Dartmoor Walking Festival
August 26 – September 3 2017
This festival takes in beautiful Dartmoor – and is open to all ages and abilities, including those who use mobility scooters and Trampers. The Dartmoor National Park will be offering Ranger-led walks, archaeological visits and events, and Dartmoor Search and Rescue Team are inviting walkers to join them on an evening exercise (let’s hope you won’t need them for real!) … Many events are free, whilst some are paid-for.
More info
Milling at Cricklepit Mill
Dates including July 14, August 11 & September 8
Watch local history come alive as Devon Wildlife Trust start these ancient waterwheels turning to grind grain into flour using traditional milling methods. Volunteer millers will run milling demonstrations throughout the morning between 10am and noon.
More
And there’s more …
June 25-July 9 Chudfest, Chudleigh
July 8 Exeter City Regatta; July 7-15 Budleigh Music Festival; July 22 Honiton Charter Day; July 22-30 Paignton Festival; July 23 Exmouth Town Band Songs on the Breeze; July 29-August 6 Teignmouth Regatta
August 5-13 Paignton Regatta; August 18-23 Torbay Royal Regatta; August 24-26 Dartmouth Regatta; August 28 Plymtree Country Fayre and Horse Show
