What's On in North Devon

North Devon is known for its peace, tranquillity and natural beauty but don’t be fooled into thinking that the area is only for those wanting to escape – the people of North Devon also know how to put on a world class event.

Whether you’re look for arts and crafts events and fairs, children’s events, festivals, food and drink events, open gardens, chances to experience nature, listen to music, watch live theatre or something else entirely, you’ll find a whole range of events going on all year around with something for everyone here in North Devon.

Wherever you find yourself in North Devon, there is a fantastic calendar of events with no let up between the seasons. To give you a taste of what you can expect, here are some of the most popular events taking place in North Devon that you can enjoy:

GoldCoast Oceanfest

This annual beachside festival takes place at Croyde and is a celebration of the surfing culture of the village, combining watersports with live music performances, fresh food and family friendly activities. Stretching over three days, this is one of the coolest festivals in the country and is not to be missed.

The North Devon Show

This show is a celebration of North Devon's agricultural roots. Every year a host of livestock classes occupy the arenas throughout the day with Alpacas, Cattle, Horses, Sheep and more making appearance. The show also incorporates a competitive edge with Show Jumping and visitors can even get involved with the annual Open Dog Show.
It isn’t just about livestock though, this huge event draws hundreds of visitors, even those not interested in farming and agriculture and you’ll find a whole host of attractions, displays, demonstrations and trade stands that cater for just about everyone.

Appledore Book Festival

The internationally renowned Appledore Book Festival attracts thousands of visitors to the beautiful maritime village of Appledore in September every year. As well as lively debate and an impressive line-up of literary talent, you can expect a warm welcome from the local community. If that wasn’t enough to get this event on the radar of bibliophiles everywhere, Appledore is also home to a number of quaint bookshops where you can find rare editions and antique collections.

The North Devon Foodfest

The annual North Devon Foodfest takes place every October in Barnstaple and is a real gastronomic treat for the taste-buds. The event showcases the very best in locally produced food with producers, farmers and local businesses from all across North Devon making appearances. Whether you’re a foodie or not, this is a great opportunity to meet the makers and sample some of the very best in fresh, local food.

North Devon isn’t all about the big events either, there are several smaller events that can be found all over North Devon and Exmoor, make sure to check here to see what is happening during your stay.