What's On in Devon

Devon Events & Festivals — Music, Food, Sport, Arts & More

Music, sports, food, theatre, literature, comedy, art ... whatever you're in to, you'll find Devon events and festivals big and small to please you, as well as many that are family-focused. And being such a special and unique county, we've also got plenty of the more unusual, traditional events that simply can't be found anywhere else. The big Devon events are certainly not to be missed, so make sure to add them to your diaries. If you're wondering what you can do right now take a look at our monthly events calendar for events happening this month.

Unique & Traditional Events You Can Only Find in Devon

Devon has world-class events to rival any county in England — see Big Devon Events for highlights such as the National Fireworks Competition — but it's the events that belong exclusively to Devon that make the calendar truly special.

The tradition of carrying burning tar barrels through the streets of Ottery St Mary on Bonfire Night is one of the oldest in the West Country, dating back hundreds of years to the aftermath of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Only here do residents carry full-sized flaming tar barrels on their shoulders through the packed streets — a breathtaking spectacle that draws thousands of visitors every November 5th. And that's not all Ottery has to offer — every June, on the Saturday nearest Midsummer's Day, the town hosts Pixie Day, a uniquely charming re-enactment of a local legend in which hundreds of children dressed as pixies capture the church bell ringers and parade them through the town to Pixies' Parlour, before the bell ringers make their dramatic escape.

Over in Tavistock, the Goose Fair has been held on the second Wednesday of October since the 12th century — one of only three goose fairs in the whole of the UK. Live geese and poultry are still sold at auction on the day, local restaurants serve special goose-themed menus, and over 200 stalls and fairground rides fill the town centre. It's a community gathering that has endured for nearly 900 years and shows no signs of stopping.

Head to the South Devon coast for two more events that are entirely Devon's own. Salcombe Crabfest celebrates the town's world-renowned brown crab with a free, family-friendly day of cookery demonstrations by award-winning chefs, crab picking masterclasses, live music and children's activities — all in aid of local charities. And in Torquay, the annual Agatha Christie Festival honours the town's most famous daughter with talks, walks, workshops and vintage-themed events that draw Christie enthusiasts from around the world each September.

Finally, no list of uniquely Devon events would be complete without the Brixham Pirate Festival — a swashbuckling weekend every spring in which the historic harbour town is taken over by pirates, with parades through the narrow streets, costume contests, live music and sea shanties celebrating Devon's rich seafaring heritage.

See all of Devon's big events here.

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