Summer Holiday Events in South Devon

It’s not long until the summer holidays begin, and if you haven’t already, it’s the perfect time to plan a holiday to South Devon. We’ve got lots of great attractions, activities, and things to do to keep the whole family entertained. There are also plenty of great, diverse events occurring throughout the region from music and food festivals to regattas and country shows. If you’re visiting South Devon over the holidays, take a read of our list below to see what piques your interest. You can view our full list of events here.  

English Riviera Summer Open Exhibition, Artizan Gallery, Torquay (25th June – 7th August) 

Artists from across the South West will be joined by global exhibitors for the English Riviera Summer Open Exhibition, showcasing a diverse range of art from professional artists and emerging practitioners. The exhibition will be held from 25th June – 7th August.  

Who Wants to be a Donkey Guardian – Summer Quiz Trail, The Donkey Sanctuary, Sidmouth (1st July – 30th September) 

Do you know what it takes to be a Donkey Guardian? Test your knowledge and claim a rewards with The Donkey Sanctuary's new summer quiz trail. Surrounded by beautiful East Devon countryside and situated near the coast, The Donkey Sanctuary is a free, family friendly attraction with lots of lovable animals to admire.  

Hub Box Summer Sessions, Exeter (23rd July, 30th July, 6th August, 13th August, 20th August, 27th August) 

Running throughout July and August, every Saturday from 8:30pm head to Hub Box in Exeter for an acoustic music night on their rooftop terrace.  

Day Trip to Sidmouth, Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth (23rd July, 5th August, 8th August) 

What better way to visit Sidmouth for the day than by boat with a Stuart Line Cruises. Setting sail from Exmouth Marina, view our beautiful Jurassic Coastline from the sea before landing on Sidmouth’s pebble beach to explore the Regency town’s gardens, shops, and cafes before returning to Exmouth. 

Dartington Music Summer School & Festival, Dartington Hall, Dartington (23rd July – 20th August) 

From 23rd July – 20th August, The Summer School & Festival consists of four musical weeks highlighting early music to Jazz. It has workshops for people of all ages and ability, plus over 70 concerts and events. Accommodation is also available on the Dartington Hall Estate.  

Family Rondi Painting Workshop, Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton (23rd July) 

Artist Anna Fitzgerald is holding Family Rondi Painting Workshops at Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton on 23rd July. You can choose to take your spin painting home or have it displayed in the gallery!  

Counterfeit Beatles Live in Concert, Sheldon Open Air Theatre, Doddiscombsleigh (23rd July) 

Performing all the greatest Beatles hits at Sheldon Open Air Theatre for the first time are Counterfeit Beatles. Parking here is free from 6:30, gates open at 7:15 and the band starts at 8pm. There’s a BBQ, a bar and hot drink stand on offer too. 

Bird Watching Tram, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (23rd July, 24th July, 6th August, 14th August & 20th August)  

Join Seaton Tramway for a tram ride through Seaton Marshes and Colyford Common, two stunning nature reserves next to the Axe Estuary and home to an ever-changing selection of birds. Over the 2-hour trip, you are likely to see between 30 – 50 species of birds including kingfishers, egrets, and wood sandpipers! 

Dinosaur Adventure Tram, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (24th July, 31st July, 7th August, 14th August, 21st August & 28th August) 

If your little ones are absolutely mad about dinosaurs, embark on Seaton Tramway’s Dinosaur Tram Adventure! Families and children are sure to enjoy this adventure-filled tram ride with music, stories, fossil digs and their dinosaur activity area at Colyton Station.  

Riviera Classic Car show, Paignton Green (24th July) 

After 2 years of Covid cancellations, the Riviera Classic Car Show returns to Paignton Green on 24th July. Organised by Torbay Old Wheels Club, the event raises money for local charities and is one of the most popular car shows in the region, with the backdrop of the beautiful English Riviera. There will be live entertainment, food, and a licensed bar onsite.  

Horse Racing at Newton Abbot Racecourse, Newton Abbot (25th July, 20th August & 30th August) 

Enjoy a day at the races this summer at Newton Abbot Racecourse. With a number of race fixtures over the summer holidays and children going free with an accompanied adult, you’ll surely make some great memories here! 

Twilight Trams, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (26th July, 2nd August, 9th August, 16th August, 23rd August, 30th August) 

Enjoy the Axe Valley at night and travel on one of Seaton Tramway's summer twilight services! Visitors can travel to Colyton by tram and experience the trip by moonlight. Meals can also be booked at Colyton Station before returning to Seaton.  

Yealmpton Agricultural Show, Yealmpton (27th July) 

Yealmpton Show is a great day out for the whole family. Throughout the day you can enjoy a countryside marquee with a wide range of exhibitors and local producers, plus in the main rings there will be entertainment throughout the day with horse shows, children's classes and more! 

Joey the Lips Live in Concert, Sheldon Open Air Theatre, Doddiscombsleigh (27th July) 

Joey the Lips is best described as Soul/Blues & Funk with a bit of Disco, Motown and Rock thrown in, covering songs from Beyonce, Queen and B52! Catch them on 27th July at Sheldon Open Air Theatre. 

The Pirate Tram, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (27th July, 3rd August, 10th August, 17th August, 24th August, 31st August) 

All abroad the Seaton Pearl! Seaton Tramway’s Pirate Tram will set sail along the Axe Estuary to Colyton Station to find treasure with Captain Nick whilst your little ones will learn how to walk, talk, and look like a pirate! All children will receive some treasure to take home with them at the end of the day. 

Altitude Festival, nr Cullompton (28th – 30th July) 

Set within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Altitude offers an intimate and affordable family festival experience. Consisting of an eclectic range of music alongside great local street food and plenty of craft beers and ales, there’s something for everyone to enjoy here. The festival runs on the 29th and 30th July with a warm up night on the 28th for those who want to pitch up early.  

Block Printing Workshop, The School of Art and Wellbeing, Honiton (28th July) 

Enjoy a creative day of block printing with artist Grace Coombes from Linnet Workshops as she guides you through each step of designing, carving, and printing your very own block painting. The session will focus on pattern and colour with plenty of creative freedom to experiment to create your own unique piece of art. You’ll also be able to take home your print and lino blocks to use at home. 

Gaz Hughes Sextet ft. Bruce Adams, Alan Barnes & Dean Masser, Livermead Cliff Hotel, Torquay (28th July) 

Performing at Livermead Cliff Hotel in Torquay is drummer Gareth Hudges and an all-star sextet playing the music of Art Blakey. It’ll be a great evening of top-class modern jazz by some of the best instrumentalists the UK has to offer. 

ABBA Tribute ‘Take a Chance On Us’, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (29th July) 

Performing at Seaton Tramway, the fabulous ABBA tribute band ‘Take A Chance On Us’ will be performing all the best ABBA music. Come along for a great night of singing, dancing, and an all-round amazing atmosphere.  

The Fairy Special, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (20th July, 6th August, 13th August & 20th August) 

Embark on a spellbinding trip as Seaton Tramway welcomes you aboard its tram to the Fairy Kingdom! Children will receive a special goody bag, including wings and a wand to help them take part in a variety of activities with an extra spark of fairy fun!  

Totnes & District Show, Berry Pomeroy (31st July)  

Entertaining thousands of visitors ever year, the Totnes and District show is over 100 years old and is still an exciting day out for all. They host exciting displays, demonstrations, and parades in the main ring as well as show jumping competitions, craft tents, a horticulture marquee, and a food hall.  

Chapterhouse Theatre Company Presents Cinderella, Powderham Castle, nr Exeter (31st July) 

Performing at Powderham Castle on 31st July is Chapterhouse Theatre Company’s rendition of Cinderella. Families are welcome to picnic in the beautiful grounds and are invited to dress in their favourite fairy tale attire to join the midsummer ball dance. This is an evening event with doors opening at 6pm and the show starting at 7pm.  

Evening Canoe Paddle, Stoke Gabriel (1st August, 13th August, 14th August, 26th August) 

Enjoy an evening canoe paddle with Winding River Canoe along the beautiful River Dart. This trip is a great opportunity to experience the natural world on the open water as the sky turns from day to night. Once paddling the canoes, you’ll pitch up and gather around the fire for hot chocolate and cake whilst being entertained by the on-board storyteller.  

Bat Watch, Slapton (1st August & 29th August) 

Explore the night-time world of the bats as they emerge from their roosts and forage for food. Slapton is lucky enough to boast 14 of the UK’s 18 species of bats from the common pipistrelle to the rare Lessor Horseshow bat. Throughout this guided walk, you’ll have a chance to use special bat detectors to hear their weird and wonderful calls. 

Summer Illuminations at Babbacombe Model Village, Babbacombe (2nd – 4th August, 9th – 11th August, 16th – 18th August, 23rd – 25th August, 30th – 31st August, 7th Sept, 14th Sept, and 21st Sept) 

Visit Babbacombe Model Village over the school holidays for their special Summer Illumination Event. See thousands of miniature lights along the way with special fire and lighting effects as the model village gets transformed to create an enchanting atmosphere. Visit during the day as the gardens and characters will be more visible, and take part in their new Crazy Golf, which is included for free with a day-time admission ticket.  

Life on the Edge on the Road – Torre Abbey, Torquay (3rd August) & The Box, Plymouth (9th  August, 11th  August, 13th August) 

South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty have organised a free event for children up to age 12 to learn more about the amazing insects that make up our ecosystem. Drop in to one of their sessions in Torquay, or Plymouth in August. 

Summer Craft Workshops for Children, Pom Stitch Tassel, Bovey Tracey (4th August, 18th August, 25th August, and 29th August) 

Join Pom Stitch Tassel at their studio in Bovey Tracey for a series of craft workshops over the summer holidays. Children can take part in a Kids Beginners Crochet Course, a Granny Square Crochet Course, a Bee Happy Stitch Banner workshop, or a Pom Pom Strawberry Garland session. 

Circus Berlin, Paignton (5th – 30th August) 

Circus Berlin, the brand new show comes to Paignton from the 5th – 30th August. Expect a mix of brilliant circus acts, music, Berlin cabaret and an exceptional evening of entertainment for the whole family. 

Torbay Steam Fair, Churston Ferrers (5th – 7th August) 

The Torbay Steam Fair is a 3-day family friendly festival and one of the biggest English Riviera’s events, attracting visitors from far and wide. You can expect to find working steam engines, vintage and classic cars, military displays, market stalls, children’s entertainment and much more! 

Seaton Eats Boutique, Seaton (5th August) 

Seaton Eats Boutique will be hosting their exciting street food market on Friday 5th August, bringing global flavours and fusions to the Jubilee Gardens from 4pm – sunset. With an ever-changing array of food stalls you can eat your way around the world whilst sitting under the East Devon sun. 

Newton Abbot Racecourse Country Show, Newton Abbot (6th August) 

The Newton Abbot Racecourse Country Show is back on 6th August from 10am with their Agricultural zone, the Gun Quarter and lots of outdoor market stalls selling a range of local products and craft items. For your little ones there’s also pony rides, a miniature train and a play area. There will be plenty of food and drink available to keep you energised for this great day out.  

Story Tram, Seaton Tramway, Seaton (5th August) 

Each month Seaton Tramway offer a Story Tram ride from Seaton to Colyton with themed stories and songs along the way. There’s an exciting new theme each month, bought to life by puppets, props and plenty of games and activities on arrival. This month’s theme is ‘Can We Fix It?’ where children can show off their construction and building skills with activities and stories based about how things are built. 

Denbury Flower, Produce, Arts & Craft Show, Newton Abbot (6th August) 

Taking place on 6th August is Denbury’s 50th anniversary village show with 80 classes featuring flowers, fruit, veg, photography, art, poems, baking, and craft work. Entry is free and there will be a raffle and refreshments available to purchase. 

Shaldon Water Carnival, Shaldon (6th August) 

Somewhere between a carnival and a regatta, Shaldon Water Carnival is a day of creative, colourful, nautical entertainment with a wide range of events happening throughout the day. There will be beach competitions, sand sculpturing, face painting, a fancy-dress parade, plus for the adults, chef demonstrations, food, and craft stalls.  

Party in the Park, Hoburne Holiday Park, Paignton (6th August) 

Hoburne Holiday Park will be hosting their Party in the Park on 6th August, a fun-packed day of entertainment with live music, games, competition and much more. Bring your deck chairs, picnic blankets and gather your family and friends for a fun day for all.  

Sidmouth Eats Boutique, Sidmouth (12th August) 

Supporting up to 10 small businesses, enjoy world cuisine made by local people, using local ingredients at Sidmouth Eats Boutique. Kick back with some tasty grub on the lawn at Kennaway House in Sidmouth, just a stone’s throw away from the beach from 4pm until sunset. 

Countess Wear Evening Cruise, Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth (12th August) 

Spend a summer’s evening relaxing and watching the sunset on a Stuart Line Evening Cruise. There are only a few times a year when Countess Wear is reachable from the River Exe, so explore all the nooks and crannies along the water with this leisurely and idyllic cruise. 

The Little Big Festival, Ashburton (12th – 13th August) 

The Little Big Festival is a new, family-friendly festival set on a farm just a few miles from Ashburton with breath-taking views of Dartmoor and Torbay. Combining the best features of an arts festival with a traditional English country fayre, you can expect music, film, circus performances, literature, art, and workshops for both children and adults to enjoy.  

Dartmouth Farmers Market, Dartmouth (13th August) 

Selling fresh, local, seasonal produce and artisan food products, Dartmouth Farmers Market is held at the Old Market Square in Dartmouth every 2nd Saturday of the month. 

Totnes & Bridgetown Festival of Arts & Culture 2022, Totnes (15th – 24th August) 

Totnes & Bridgetown Festival of Arts & Culture is a new festival coming to South Devon. The event brings together local communities, artists, independent venues, and outdoor spaces showcasing a wide programme of workshops, shows and events over 10 days.  

Milkshake! Live, Princess Theatre, Torquay (17th August) 

Join Paddington Bear, Noddy and many other Milkshake! characters for an unforgettable family musical at the Princess Theatre in Torquay! Learn songs and dances and watch Milkshake! come to live on stage with plenty of laughter and fun for all. 

British Firework Championships, Plymouth (17th – 18th August) 

The annual British Firework Championship returns to Plymouth on the 17th & 18th August. Thousands of spectators will head over to Plymouth Hoe for two evenings of spectacular firework displays. This year sees an extra special title up for grabs as the last 6 winners are welcomed back to compete for the ultimate accolade.  

Dartmouth Regatta Week, Dartmouth (20th – 27th August) 

Dartmouth’s iconic Regatta Week will start with their Family Fun Weekend on the 20th and 21st August with the Official Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta occurring from the 24th – 27th August. This infamous event attracts thousands of visitors to Dartmouth for sailing races, family events and much more! 

Dartmouth Regatta with Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth (27th August) 

Enjoy the Dartmouth Regatta with Stuart Line Cruises on 27th August. This all-day trip sails along the stunning South Devon coastline into the heart of Dartmouth where you’ll be able to enjoy all the festivities, without having to worry about petrol or parking, before sailing back to Exmouth in the evening.  

Dartmoor Edge Fest, The Clay Factory, Ivybridge (20th August) 

Dartmoor Edge Fest is a community led event taking place every third Saturday on the month at The Clay Factory in Ivybridge. The event features an art market, community art and wellbeing workshops and local, independent food businesses.  

Celebrate Start Bay Festival, Slapton Ley Field Centre (21st August) 

Celebrate the environment, nature, the local community, and the businesses of Start Bay at the Celebrate Start Bay Festival, held at the field centre in Slapton on Sunday 21st August. This free, family event will consist of local musicians, inspiring activities, and a market. Food and drink will be available to purchase throughout the day too.  

Shaldon Regatta, Shaldon (21st – 29th August) 

After a 2-year hiatus, Shaldon Regatta returns to the village for a week-long programme of events. You can look forward to boat races, beach sports, swimming challenges, sandcastle competitions and much more! The event will take place from the 21st – 29th August on Shaldon Beach and the surrounding area.  

EDWIN STARR Band at Seaton Tramway, Seaton (27th August) 

Performing at Seaton Tramway on 27th August is the Edwin Starr Band, keeping the legend that is Edwin Starr alive through performing some of his greatest hits such as ‘War (What is it good for)’ and ‘S.O.S’.  

The Power of Water Steam Up, Coldharbour Mill, Cullompton (29th August) 

Explore the power of water at Coldharbour Mill as they guide you on a trail of the mill and explain just how important it was (and is) to the running of their Georgian factory. Participate in fun, craft activities to create your own water wheel too. 

We’ve also included some 18+ events below in case you’re lucky enough to have a few kid-free days over the summer holidays, or you don’t have little ones in tow on your trip! 

Mojito Beach Bar, Princesshay, Exeter (26th May – 29th August) 

Over the Summer the pop-up Mojito Beach Bar will be open from 10am – 10pm in Princesshay Square, packed with all the holiday vibes – parasols, sand, palm trees, live music, and plenty more. Enjoy a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) and kick back in the sun in the heart of the city centre.  

The Unexpected Guest, Palace Theatre, Paignton (7th June – 28th July) 

Bijou Theatre Production present their annual Agatha Christie production in Torbay – the birthplace of the iconic crime writer. They will be performing The Unexpected Guest at the Palace Theatre in Paignton. You can also combine your theatre experience with a walk along the Agatha Christie Mile or a visit to her holiday home, Greenway, near Galmpton.  

White Wine Tasting at Hat or Lemon, Manor Hotel, Exmouth (26th July) 

Enjoy a night of wine tasting and canapes by Samphire21 at Hat or Lemon in the Manor Hotel, where you’ll lean the differences between grape varieties and vintages. 

Fish & Fizz Evening Cruise, Stuart Line Cruises, Exmouth (30th July) 

Spend the evening cruising along the tranquil waters of the River Exe or Devon’s stunning coastline with Stuart Line Cruises. Enjoy a glass of prosecco in hand and a generous portion of award-winning fish and chips from Krisipes. 

Whether you visit South Devon for a day, a week or even longer, we hope you enjoy your summer holiday in your wonderful region. To stay up to date with the latest South Devon blog posts and events, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.