Devon's reputation as one of England's great food counties is well earned. With two coastlines delivering outstanding seafood, rich farming land producing exceptional meat, dairy and vegetables, and a thriving independent food and drink scene, it's little wonder the county's food festival calendar is one of the most varied in the South West. From spring seafood celebrations and summer produce markets to the great autumn food festival season and festive winter events, there is always something on the calendar for food lovers. If you're planning a foodie break in Devon.
Find accommodation here and browse the events below.
Spring Food Festivals in Devon — April & May
The food festival season gets underway in April with one of the South West's most celebrated culinary events. The Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink takes place in the stunning setting of Exeter Castle and Northernhay Gardens, bringing together top regional producers, cookery demonstrations, children's foodie workshops and live entertainment across a long weekend. The After Dark evening events are particularly popular, combining street food and live music in one of Devon's most atmospheric settings — well worth planning your visit around.
May brings Salcombe Crabfest, a free community event celebrating one of Devon's most prized coastal catches. The day features hands-on demonstrations, crab picking tuition, talks from commercial crab fishermen, crab pot making, a demonstration kitchen, wine tasting and live music — all set against the backdrop of one of Devon's most beautiful harbour towns. It's a relaxed, family-friendly event that perfectly captures the spirit of South Devon's seafood heritage.
Summer Food & Drink Events in Devon — June to August
Summer is the season for Devon's thriving farmers' market circuit, with regular markets taking place across the county from Exeter and Plymouth to Totnes, Tavistock and Barnstaple. These are some of the best places in the county to meet local producers, sample Devon's exceptional cheeses, charcuterie, seafood and artisan breads, and discover the breadth of the county's food scene beyond the restaurant table. Browse our Markets in Devon page for a full listing of regular markets across the county.
Summer also sees a range of pop-up food events, outdoor dining experiences and gin and spirits festivals taking advantage of Devon's landscapes and long evenings. Devon is home to a growing number of award-winning distilleries and breweries — many of which host open days, tastings and summer events throughout the season. For a full guide to Devon's producers, visit our Food Tours, Breweries & Vineyards page.
Autumn Food Festivals in Devon — September to October
Autumn is the heart of Devon's food festival season, with a concentration of outstanding events across September and October that draws food lovers from across the country.
September opens with the Clovelly Lobster and Crab Feast, where local fishermen showcase their prime Devon catch in one of the county's most picturesque villages. The same month brings Taste of the Teign — a celebration of the produce, restaurants and food culture of the Teign Valley — and the Plymouth Seafood Festival, one of the largest events of its kind in the South West, with live cookery demonstrations, seafood tastings and a programme of family-friendly activities on the city's historic waterfront.
October is equally rich. North Devon Foodfest gathers the region's finest producers for a celebration of North Devon's exceptional food and drink offer. The Dartmouth Food Festival is one of the county's most prestigious culinary gatherings, drawing acclaimed chefs and producers to one of Devon's most beautiful riverside towns each year. And the Powderham Food Festival offers a uniquely grand setting — the grounds of Powderham Castle — for a showcase of Devon's finest artisan food and drink producers.
Beer & Cider Festivals in Devon
Devon has a long and proud tradition of brewing and cider making, and the county's beer and cider festival scene reflects that heritage in style. Throughout the year — but particularly in summer and autumn — a programme of beer festivals, cider celebrations and craft drinks events takes place across Devon, many featuring live music and entertainment alongside the tastings. These events are invariably well-attended and offer a genuinely convivial way to explore the depth and variety of Devon's independent drinks scene. Keep an eye on the What's On calendar for the latest listings, and visit our Breweries and Distilleries page for a guide to Devon's producers.
Winter Food Events & Christmas Markets in Devon
Devon's food calendar doesn't quieten with the arrival of winter. November sees the Clovelly Herring Festival — a celebration of the traditional herring fishing heritage of this iconic North Devon fishing village, with freshly grilled herrings, local produce stalls and a programme of events that draws visitors back year after year.
As December arrives, Christmas markets across the county bring together local food and drink producers alongside artisan makers and gift sellers. Exeter's Cathedral Christmas Market is one of the most popular in the South West, while festive food events at Dartmouth, Totnes and across North Devon give visitors every reason to plan a winter break around Devon's food and drink scene.
Devon's Food Festival Scene — What to Expect
Most food festivals across Devon feature the best producers from around the county and region, many focusing on a particular speciality — whether that's fresh seafood, locally reared meat, artisan cheese, craft beer or award-winning spirits. Family-friendly activities are a feature of the majority of events, giving younger visitors a chance to engage with Devon's food heritage alongside the adults. Devon is also home to some outstanding award-winning restaurants and celebrity chefs who regularly appear at food events across the county — making Devon's festival season a genuinely world-class culinary experience.
Many visitors plan their entire trip to Devon around a food event. Browse our accommodation options to find somewhere to stay near your chosen festival, and explore the full What's On in Devon calendar for the latest events.
