The ultimate family adventure! A long weekend of outdoor adventures, music and camping.
Festivals in Devon
Here in Devon, we love nothing more than celebrating our heritage, music, arts and crafts, which is why you’ll always be able to find fun and interesting things to do and see during your visits!
Festivals and events are part of West Country life - from small, intimate events to huge, carnival-style gatherings, so read on to find out more!
Great events all year around
In April, Exeter welcomes keen foodies to its award-winning Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink. Thousands gather in the lovely setting of Exeter Castle and Northernhay Gardens for a long weekend of fantastic food, drink and entertainment (there's great live music at the After Dark evening events too!).
May sees the Lord Mayor's Festival in Plymouth. The event welcomes the new Lord Mayor into their role and gives people the opportunity to celebrate this occasion with a packed programme of events including a parade and street entertainment.
The Contemporary Craft Festival and Armed Forces Day are two of June's highlights, and July sees the Mid-Devon Show, where you'll witness a whole host of activities including farm demonstartions, rural crafts, food and drink and entertainment.
Even in the colder months, there’s something to celebrate, making family holidays in Devon perfect at any time of year.
Literature fans will enjoy the chance to meet and chat with high-profile authors at the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival and Appledore Book Festivals, both of which run in September.
In the autumn, there are also lots of food festivals to take in, including Plymouth Seafood Festival, Powderham Food Festival, North Devon Foodfest and Dartmouth Food Festival.
The Tar Barrel Rolling in Ottery St Mary in November is a real Devon experience! Every year on November 5 huge flaming tar barrels are carried through the streets of Ottery St Mary – and thousands turn out to see this quite jaw-dropping spectacle.
For more events, click here.
Festival Highlights
Search Devon...
Discover more Devon
Keep an eye out for these creatures during National Marine Week
- 5 minute read
The end of July welcomes National Marine Week, which despite the name, is actually a two week celebration of our coastlines and the creatures that live there. It’s an opportunity to learn more about local marine life and how to conserve them for future generations, throughout National Marine Week…
Learn MoreJoin the baa-rilliant Great Garden Adventure with Shaun the Sheep at RHS Rosemoor this summer
- 5 minute read
This summer holiday, RHS Garden Rosemoor has a fantastic programme of activities for the whole family to enjoy in collaboration with the multi-Academy-Award®-winning studio, Aardman. Visitors to the gardens in North Devon are invited to join Shaun the Sheep in The Great Garden Adventure a range of…
Learn MoreTop Places for Wildlife Watching in Devon
- 6 minute read
Life today can be hectic and unforgiving and every once in a while, we need to unplug our minds from our routines and devices and head into the natural world. Wildlife trips can be a lot more than just outdoor adventures. It can provide you with the quality time that you need to spend with your…
Learn MoreNew rejuvenating Spa Day Packages at the Victoria Hotel
- 3 minute read
With breathtaking views, award-winning dining, and the newly launched Source Spa, The Victoria Hotel is the quintessential destination which combines timeless elegance and modern luxury for a truly first class stay. The Victoria Hotel in Sidmouth has unveiled its exclusive spa day packages at its…
Learn MoreUnusual things to do in Devon this summer
- 5 minute read
Planning a trip to Devon over the summer months? Looking for suggestions for things you can’t do anywhere else? Here are our suggestions of some of the more unusual things to do in Devon this summer. Take a train journey with a view We appreciate that getting the train isn’t unique to Devon but we…
Learn MoreFive-star Olympic break unveiled at Bovey Castle
- 3 minute read
A last minute Olympic-themed break in the heart of Dartmoor National Park has been unveiled by a luxury Devon hotel. Five-star hotel Bovey Castle, in Newton Abbot, is inviting guests to its resort to try up to five sports that will be on show at this summer’s Olympics (26 July to 11 August) and…
Learn More