What's On

For such a small town, there is a lot going on in Sidmouth – there are a range of events taking place all over the town throughout the year, so whether you are in town specifically for one of the annual festivals or you’re on holiday and want to find something to do – you won’t have a problem trying to find something to entertain you.  

Coastal events 

One of the biggest events of Sidmouth’s entertainment calendar is the annual Sidmouth Regatta, hosted by the Sidmouth Sailing Club. On top of the expected boat racing, you’ll also find a range of activities including swimming races, raft races, three-legged race, competitions, fancy dress, live music and displays by the RAF Red Arrows. Every year the event ends with a mammoth fire work display – it’s incredibly popular and draws people from all over the country to the town every summer.  

For those of you that perked up at the mention of the RAF Red Arrows, just before the Regatta every year, is the Sidmouth Air Show. The show features a variety of displays and previous festivals included displays from RAF Chinnok, Spitfires, aerobatic jet teams, parachute displays and more providing an awe inspiring event.  

Back to the sea though – you can end every year by taking part in the annual Boxing Day Swim where scores of people dress up and run into the sea to round off the festive season. It’s a bracing way to refresh following Christmas!  

Cultural events 

Music fans will love visiting Sidmouth with their wide range of live music events that take place every year. In the summer you can find Sidmouth’s Town Band perform on a Sunday at the band stand in Connaught Gardens and Britain’s oldest Folk Festival is a staple in the town.  

Sidmouth’s Folk Festival is a weeklong celebration of folk music and traditional dance. As well as a quality musical line up featuring big names in folk music 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 is so famous that it was awarded with a Blue Plaque from BBC Radio Devon in recognition of the impact that the festival has on the local area.  

The festival ends with a traditional torchlight procession and firework display, much like the Regatta.  

Bibliophiles will love the Sidmouth Literary Festival. Though not as long established as Sidmouth’s other festivals, the Literary Festival attracts popular authors and readers every year. The festival features talks, lectures, seminars and workshops hosted by bestsellers, publishers and more.  

Learn more with Sidmouth’s festivals 

For those of you who love to learn, make sure to stop by Sidmouth’s Science Festival, which takes place over a year and offers a whole host of free events suitable for all ages where you can find out more about everything from fossils, stars, the weather and more. The festival has both recurring and new events ever year so you can relive all your favourite moments each time!  

Sidmouth’s In Bloom team hold the Valley of a Million Bulbs and the Secluded Gardens event giving you a chance to view and find out more about the work that goes into making the town look pretty with its award-winning floral displays.  

If you’re in town and looking for a way to stay active, there is a regular Walking Festival that takes place giving you the chance to join in on a variety of walks several times of day so you can find the best walking trails and paths around the town, whilst also meeting like-minded people.  

So, whether you like music, reading, walking or being out on the open waves, there are plenty of events taking place in Sidmouth. Find out what is on this week here and this month here.