What's On in Torquay

It’s impossible to be bored in Torquay! This town, right in the heart of the English Riviera, is popular among families for a reason: there are plenty of things to see and do!

Torquay is a town that knows how to throw a party, so whenever you visit you’ll find something to do whether it is a local band performing in one of the town’s pubs or a roller disco taking place at one of the larger event spaces, there is something for everyone. A huge highlight for the whole community is the Torbay Royal Regatta Fireworks which take place every August and the Torquay Christmas Carnival Procession which takes place the same night as the Christmas Lights Switch-On. If you visit Torquay in the winter and don’t feel Christmassy when you leave, there is something very wrong!

Torquay Regatta

A huge highlight for the whole community is the Torbay Royal Regatta Fireworks which take place every August and the Torquay Christmas Carnival Procession which takes place the same night as the Christmas Lights Switch-On. If you visit Torquay in the winter and don’t feel Christmassy when you leave, there is something very wrong!

Whatever time of year you choose to visit Torquay you’ll find a packed programme of events and activities for all the family to enjoy. There are a number of annual events that take pride of place every single year, including the Agatha Christie Festival, where the town celebrates its most famous export, and the Torbay Royal Regatta which makes great use of the coast.

Other annual favourites include the Torbay Airshow, Torquay Carnival and the Pedal Care Grand Prix which is something to behold!

Torquay’s many attractions also offer one off and seasonal events and activities that really complement your visit. Torre Abbey Museum in the centre of the town hosts a number of events all year around including art exhibitions featuring some of the nation’s best loved artists as well as markets, music festivals, theatre performances and comedy nights. In the summer you must visit the cinema festival where you can catch screenings of new and favourite films from across the generations and of course, the Christmas Markets that are held there are perfect not only for finding unique gifts but also for getting into the Christmas spirit.

Nearby you’ll find the Riviera International Conference Centre which has events large and small taking place all the time, as does Torquay Museum which often themes events around the town’s annual activities including the Agatha Christie Festival.

That’s not all, the English Riviera International Dance Festival is a regular fixture in Torquay too, so if you want to show off some fancy footwork and score a Ten from Len, make sure to visit during June!

As well as the wide range of community events and attractions holding their own celebrations, Torquay is a haven for sports fans. There are a huge range of sporting events that take place in the town every year. The big one is the Torbay Royal Regatta, but if you prefer your sports on land, you won’t be disappointed. The English Riviera Bowls Tournament takes place in Torquay every year and the location is very central, so you can’t miss it. Torbay United play regularly during the football season and Torbay Open Tennis Tournament takes place every summer.

Don’t miss out on the top attractions

Torquay and the surrounding area is hugely popular with holiday makers in part because of the warm climate but also because of the vast array of attractions that can be found in the English Riviera. From the penguins at Living Coasts in Torquay to the zoo in Paignton, historical attractions like Kent’s Cavern and the more unusual like Babbacombe Model Village you won’t be short of something to do. Like the museum and Torre Abbey, these attractions also play host to a number of events throughout the year. If you’ve ever fancied singing in a cave, make sure to visit Kent’s Cavern during the winter months for their carol services, or check out their website for the latest film screenings. Babbacombe Model Village also like to host themed exhibitions and events that use their many tiny models, so keep an eye out for more unusual things to do.

Need more suggestions? Take a look at the list below.

<