What's On in Sidmouth

The picturesque town of Sidmouth, with its beautiful coastal location and regency feel is ideal for a break or day trip. Sidmouth has a whole range of events on offer, whether you’re looking for an active holiday or a relaxing break you’re sure to find something to entertain.

By Sea

With a regency seafront and beautiful beaches, it is hardly surprising that many of Sidmouth's events centre around the water. The annual Sidmouth Regatta, hosted by the Sidmouth Sailing Club, is always popular. On top of the traditional boat racing, you will also find a range of activities such as swimming races, raft races, three-legged race, drawing competitions, fancy dress contests, family treasure hunt and the grand firework display. There is also live music and a display by the RAF Red Arrows, Lancaster and Spitfires.  

If you like to round off your festive season with a bit of excitement why not join in with the annual Sidmouth Boxing Day Swim, scores of people come to take a dip in the sea many donning eye-catching fancy dress costumes.

By Air

Looking from the sea to the sky why not take in the annual Sidmouth Air Show. Usually held in August just before the Regatta the air show offers a display of various types with previous shows featuring the RAF Chinook, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Spitfire, BAC Strikemaster Pair aerobatic jet team, RAF Falcons parachute display and Red Arrows.

By Land

If you’re looking to stay on land for your events you could take part in the always colourful Sidmouth Folk Week Festival, Britain’s oldest folk festival. The festival is a week-long celebration of folk music and dance, alongside the musical line up there are also a plethora of children’s events with music workshops, creative crafts, circus skills, puppetry, street theatre, singing, storytelling and games. The festival draws to a close with the traditional torchlight procession and firework display so the whole thing goes off with a bang. In 2017 the Sidmouth FolkWeek Festival was awarded a blue plaque by BBC Radio Devon in recognition of the continuing influence that the festival has had on musical trends and capturing the hearts of all those who visit.

If you’re seeking a little cultural entertainment, then come along to the Sidmouth Literary Festival. The festival a fairly recent addition to the town's annual events but has grown substantially in its short history and now attracts popular authors for talks, lectures, seminars and workshops including advice on how to get published. Previous guests have included crime writer Ann Cleeves, Booker Prize-winning Dame Penelope Lively and author of New York Times best-selling The Horse Whisperer Nicholas Evans.

To continue your learning you can also visit the Sidmouth Science Festival for a whole week of thought-provoking and entertaining events which are mostly free. Children and adults alike can learn about fossils, stars, energy, light, weather, brains, rockets and dinosaurs! The festival has both returning and new activities every year and events vary from geology walks along the seafront to hands-on science demonstrations at various locations around the town.

So whether by land, sea or air you are sure to find something to entertain any age in Sidmouth.

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