15 ‘Don’t Miss’ Devon summer events

8th July 2014

Categories: Visitor News

There’s so much going on in Devon this summer that we needed to squeeze in another events post just to cover it all (if you missed the others see free events and family events, and August Bank Holiday events will be coming soon).

These are our Don’t Miss events of the summer, with suggestions for holiday parks to stay in nearby. And with festivals, fireworks, crab-fests, car-fests, and regattas galore – there should be something for everyone.

Read about this summer’s music festivals, food festivals, sports events and festival events
Find more events across Devon: Dartmoor; Exeter & surrounds; Plymouth; Torquay, Paignton and Brixham; North Devon & Exmoor; South Devon

July 5-12
Riviera Fringe Festival, Torbay
All the talent, humour, suspense, drama, music and fun of Edinburgh … but earlier, warmer and in the cosier and much prettier (we think) setting of the beautiful English Riviera! Go to see established and emerging talent in an eclectic mix of new shows. 
More
Stay Bona Vista Holiday Park

July 11-12
Glas-Denbury, near Newton Abbott
This cheekily-titled family music festival is a great option if you missed the hoo-haa over in Somerset (where?) last month. It may be a bit smaller, with slightlyless well-known acts (headliners include Doctor and the Medics and The Electric Swing Orchestra), but there are 70-odd bands performing, and it’s great fun nonetheless. More
Stay Parkers Farm

July 26-August 7
Appledore-Instow Regatta
Devon goes regatta-crazy during the summer months – but that’s fine by us! Enjoy days of watery fun, stalls, competitions and entertainment, plus Devon blood, sweat, tears and humour, all in the pretty North Devon villages of Appledore and Instow which face each other across the Torridge estuary. More
Stay Surf Bay Holiday Park

Also in July: 11-13 The Tiverton Hot Air Balloon and Music Festival; July 20 Clovelly Maritime Festival

August 2-10
Teignmouth Regatta, Teignmouth
Teignmouth’s a great place to be during regatta week – there’s loads going on and a party atmosphere prevails. If you don’t fancy watching boats racing for 9 days, there’s also a crabbing and a sandcastle comp, family quiz night, treasure hunt and fun races, all spread out over the week. More
Stay Coast View Holiday Park   

August 3
Crab Day Street Party, Dartmouth
This crab-tastic street party is every foodies’ dream afternoon: loads of the freshest, bestest South Devon seafood; a great bar; live music; celeb chefs Mitch Tonks (he organises it) and Angela Hartnett; and all in a pretty riverside setting – make ours a large one. More
Stay Leonards Cove

August 9-10
Castle Hill Car Festival, Filleigh
Classic Maseratis to drool over, thousands of spectators watching driving challenges, live action Formula 1 in demonstration runs along the track and a South West food and drink pavilion … if you’re a fan of either cars, food, country houses or great days out, you’ll be in heaven. More
Stay North Devon Farm Holidays

August 12-13
British Firework Championships, Plymouth
Well, if you don’t like the idea of watching four tonnes of fireworks being set off over Plymouth Hoe, in one of the UK’s biggest professional fireworks displays, for free … then there’s not much hope for you, we’re afraid. More
Stay Bovisand Beachside Holiday Park

August 13
Exford Show, Exford
Want to feel like you’ve had a proper taste of traditional Devon life? Then visit the Exford Show, laid on by the Devon and Somerset Staghounds and Exmoor Pony Society, for its wonderful displays from ponies and horses and lots of other country amusements alongside. More
Stay Hunters Inn

August 22-23
Dawlish Air Show, Dawlish
Exciting air displays, static helicopters to nosey at, family fun, stalls, and ground displays – Dawlish is definitely worth a visit over August 22-23, making this a good mid-week event. Stay on into the night for the live music and dance if you can too. More
Stay Dawlish Sands Holiday Park, Oakcliff Holiday Park

August 28-30
Dartmouth Regatta, Dartmouth
The last one (in this post) we promise … but it’s the biggest in the South West, and only the second largest in the UK after Cowes Week. Expect the excitement of rowing and sailing events, as well as a busy programme of air displays, fireworks, funfair, and events happening around the town centre. Nearly 100,000 people visit Dartmouth during the regatta – so general consensus is that it’s pretty good! More
Stay Leonards Cove

Also in August: Aug 9-17 Paignton Regatta; Aug 15-17 Flavour Fest in Plymouth; Aug 31 National UK Sandcastle Competition in Croyde