Looking for what’s on in Devon this weekend? Discover festivals, live music, food events, markets and family days out across the county, with dates, locations and useful information to help you plan your visit.
We update our independent guide every week with Devon events for the coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Whether you are looking for free things to do, an evening out or ideas for a weekend away, browse the latest listings below for events in Exeter, Plymouth, Torbay, North Devon, East Devon and the South Hams as programmes are announced.
Planning further ahead or exploring beyond Devon? Visit our regularly updated guide to What’s on in South West England for forthcoming festivals, shows and seasonal celebrations across Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
Devon events this weekend: 11 to 13 September 2026
📅 Friday 11 to Sunday 13 September 2026
Looking for things to do in Devon this weekend? Highlights include Seafest Plymouth, Ashburton Food Festival, Exeter Quayside Shanty Festival, Sidmouth Classic Car Show and the opening weekend of the International Agatha Christie Festival. There are also free food festivals in Dawlish and East Devon, a carnival procession in Colyton, guided walks around Sidmouth and a new nature and sustainability event at Cockington Court.
Listings updated on 7 September 2026. Check the linked organiser information for the latest programmes, prices, booking requirements and any changes before travelling.
Festivals in Devon this weekend
Ashburton Food Festival
Friday 11 to Saturday 12 September 2026
Ashburton Food Festival celebrates its 15th anniversary with a programme inspired by Dartmoor’s food culture and the national park’s 75th birthday. The weekend begins with a dinner at the Dartmoor Lodge on Friday evening. On Saturday, the free street festival fills central Ashburton from 10 am to 5 pm with more than 50 local food and drink stalls, masterclasses, demonstrations, discussions, live music and children’s activities. Some special events and workshops require tickets.
Seafest Plymouth
Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September 2026
Plymouth’s free waterfront festival celebrates the city’s connection with the sea through seafood, live cookery demonstrations, music and marine-themed activities. Events take place around the Barbican, Sutton Harbour and Royal William Yard, with local food, water sports, entertainment and sustainability themes bringing different parts of the waterfront to life.
Taste East Devon Festival
Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September 2026
Taste East Devon begins this weekend with food and drink experiences across the region. The programme celebrates local producers, chefs and hospitality businesses through tastings, farm visits, workshops and special dining events from Exmouth to Axminster. Events are held at different venues and some require advance booking, so check the individual listings before setting out.
International Agatha Christie Festival, English Riviera
Saturday 12 to Sunday 20 September 2026
The International Agatha Christie Festival opens this weekend with talks, guided walks, performances, film screenings and fringe events inspired by the author’s life and work. Activities take place around Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, reflecting Christie’s close connections with Devon. Visitors attending over several days can find accommodation around Torquay and the English Riviera.
Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival
Saturday 12 to Friday 18 September 2026
This week-long festival begins on Saturday with guided walks around Sidmouth, the Jurassic Coast and the wider East Devon countryside. The programme explores coastal scenery, rural routes and local history, with walks for different abilities. Check the details carefully for distances, gradients, meeting points and booking requirements.
What’s on in Devon on Friday 11 September?
Friday provides a quieter start to the weekend, with chamber music in Exeter and the opening dinner of Ashburton Food Festival.
Apricity Trio, St Michael & All Angels, Exeter
Friday 11 September 2026
The young Apricity Trio performs chamber music at St Michael & All Angels in Mount Dinham as part of the Music on the Mount series. The Royal College of Music ensemble’s programme includes works by Robert Kahn, John Ireland and Brahms. Check the venue’s latest information for the performance time, ticket availability and access arrangements.
Ashburton Food Festival also begins on Friday with its anniversary dinner at the Dartmoor Lodge. This is a separately bookable event ahead of Saturday’s free street festival.
What’s on in Devon on Saturday 12 September?
eat:Dawlish Food Festival
Saturday 12 September 2026, 10 am to 4 pm
This free food and drink festival returns to The Strand in Dawlish with regional producers, makers and street food traders. Visitors can browse locally made food and drink, meet the people behind the products and enjoy free entertainment. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free and alcohol-free choices will be available.
Exeter Quayside Shanty Festival
Saturday 12 September 2026
A free day and evening of sea shanties and maritime folk music takes place around Exeter’s historic quayside. Visiting groups and local singers perform at waterside venues and in open spaces across the heritage harbour, creating an atmospheric event suitable for families as well as folk music enthusiasts.
Sidmouth Classic Car Show
Saturday 12 September 2026
Classic cars and motorcycles gather at Sidmouth Cricket Ground in a seafront setting. The pavilion will be open for refreshments, with live music including the Exeter Steam Jazz Band during the day. Entry donations support local projects. There is no general spectator parking at the showground, so plan where to park before arriving and allow time to explore Sidmouth’s seafront, shops and cafés.
Colyton Carnival, East Devon
Saturday 12 September 2026
Colyton Carnival brings illuminated floats, walking groups and local organisations together for an evening procession through the East Devon town. It forms part of the area’s traditional carnival circuit and has a strong community atmosphere. Check local organiser information for the confirmed procession time, route, road closures and parking arrangements before travelling.
An Evening of Choral Music in Aid of the RNLI, Exmouth
Saturday 12 September 2026, 7 pm
Launceston Male Voice Choir performs at Holy Trinity Church in Exmouth, joined by Woodbury Community Choir. The concert begins at 7 pm and raises funds for the RNLI. Tickets are available for a £12 donation from Exmouth Lifeboat Shop or by contacting the organisers.
Ashburton Food Festival holds its main free street event from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday. Seafest Plymouth, Taste East Devon Festival, the International Agatha Christie Festival and the Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival also begin today and continue beyond Saturday.
What’s on in Devon on Sunday 13 September?
Forage and Find Weekend, Cockington Court, Torquay
Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September 2026
This new weekend at Cockington Court combines nature, creativity and sustainable living. Saturday’s Finders Market showcases artisan makers, ethical businesses, upcyclers, local food and creative workshops. On Sunday, experienced guides lead foraging walks through the Cockington estate. Check the organiser’s information for walk times, prices, availability and suitability before booking.
Build It Live South West, Westpoint Exeter
Saturday 12 to Sunday 13 September 2026
This two-day exhibition is aimed at anyone planning a self-build, renovation or major home project. Visitors can meet suppliers, architects and specialists, explore building products and attend advice clinics, seminars and workshops covering subjects such as planning permission, design and construction. Check ticket options and opening times before visiting Westpoint at Clyst St Mary.
Seafest Plymouth continues on Sunday with free waterfront food, entertainment and marine activities. The International Agatha Christie Festival, Taste East Devon Festival and Sidmouth & East Devon Walking Festival also continue, although individual events may need advance booking.
For a less structured Sunday, you could explore Sidmouth, follow Exeter’s historic quayside or combine the Cockington event with more things to do in Torquay. Check attraction opening hours before travelling.
Free events and family things to do in Devon this weekend
Free food and waterfront events: Seafest Plymouth runs throughout Saturday and Sunday, while eat:Dawlish and Ashburton Food Festival’s main street event take place on Saturday. Exeter Quayside Shanty Festival also provides free live music around the waterfront. Food, drink, workshops and other extras may cost more.
Family days out: Seafest Plymouth offers marine-themed activities and entertainment, while Ashburton Food Festival includes children’s activities. Families can also browse the makers and sustainability stalls at Cockington Court on Saturday. Check each organiser’s information for age guidance, ticketed workshops and any additional charges.
Evening plans: Colyton Carnival offers an illuminated procession on Saturday, while Exeter’s shanty performances continue into the evening. The RNLI choral concert in Exmouth begins at 7 pm. Confirm finishing times, parking and road closures before travelling.
Where to find events in Devon
Devon’s events calendar is spread across cities, seaside towns, countryside and moorland, so what is happening varies considerably from one weekend to the next.
Exeter has one of the county’s busiest year-round programmes, including theatre, live music, markets, exhibitions and family events. Plymouth is another major centre for concerts, theatre and cultural events, as well as larger waterfront celebrations.
Around Torbay, the towns of Torquay, Paignton and Brixham regularly host festivals, regattas, live music and seasonal events. Further east, East Devon includes Exmouth, Sidmouth, Seaton, Budleigh Salterton, and inland market towns, with a mix of carnivals, festivals, community events, and activities along the Jurassic Coast.
North Devon, including Barnstaple, Bideford, Ilfracombe and the surrounding coast and countryside, has its own programme of shows, festivals, markets and outdoor events. In the South Hams, look for events around Totnes, Dartmouth, Kingsbridge and the smaller coastal and rural communities.
Dartmoor is particularly good for walking festivals, guided activities, country shows and outdoor events, although venues can be widely spread across the National Park.
The listings above bring together our selected highlights from across Devon for the coming Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Planning a weekend in Devon
Devon is a large county, stretching from the North Devon coast to the English Channel, with Dartmoor between many of the main towns and coastal areas. If you are visiting several events in one weekend, it is worth carefully checking journey times rather than judging distances just from a map.
The main roads make travel between Exeter, Torbay and Plymouth relatively easy, but journeys into North Devon, the South Hams and across Dartmoor can take much longer, particularly on rural roads. As a guide, the edge of Dartmoor can be reached in around 30 minutes from either Exeter or Plymouth, while travelling between different parts of the county can easily take an hour or more.
For a busy events weekend, choosing one part of Devon as a base and finding nearby events is much more enjoyable than trying to cover the whole county.
Make a weekend of it: places to stay in Devon
An evening festival, concert or carnival is a good reason to enjoy a short break in Devon. Stay close to the event and leave time for a coastal walk, a leisurely lunch or a visit to a nearby town. A hotel or B&B can suit a night away, while a holiday cottage may work well for a longer stay with family or friends.
Search hotels, B&Bs and other places to stay, entering the Devon town or village you plan to visit. Check parking, check-in times and the journey back from your event before booking, especially if you expect a late finish.
You can also compare train and coach options with Omio or browse tours, attractions and experiences in South West England to add to your break. For tickets to the specific events above, follow the links for their individual organisers.
Have you been to an event in Devon, or spotted something we’ve missed? Share your suggestions below or join in the discussion in our Facebook Group.
New to South West England or returning after a while? Start with our ‘Travel Basics’ – quick guides packed with tips to help you plan your trip.
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