LOCAL EVENTS
February 2018
Totnes Good Food Sunday Market – Devon’s biggest ‘fine food’ Farmers Market held every 3rd Sunday of the month. With vendors selling an array of tempting taste sensations such as Veggie, Thai, Indian, local Devonshire burgers, Caribbean and more. Come to talk food, taste food and buy food!
18th February, 18th March, 15th April, 20th May, 17th June, 15th July, 19th August, 16th September, 21st October, 18th November.
March 2018
Dartmouth Comedy Festival – The comedy festival returns for 3 nights of fun and laughter. Featuring Steve Shanyaski, Richard Herring, Anna Morris and Jonny Awsum for a unique kids show.
1st – 3rd March
Buckfastleigh Wool Gathering – Spinners, Weavers, Dyers, Felters, Knitters and all wool craft enthusiasts gather together. Learn new skills, source local wool and stockists, share and create!
18th March
April 2018
Easter Holidays at Pennywell Farm – Easter egg hunts and Easter themed activities for kids of all ages. Bottle feed the new arrivals, cuddles with the animals and two big entertainment shows daily.
31st March – 15th April
Evening canoe trips along the River Dart – An evening paddle by canoe is an opportunity to slow down, switch gear and experience the natural world on the water as it moves from day to night. The fading light… bird-sound, silence, bats, moonlight, darkness. Set off in the daylight and paddle the canoes for an hour or so upstream. Pitching up on the river bank, we’ll cook some burgers over the fire, whilst we are entertained by a river tale or two from our on-board story-teller. We paddle back as night falls to the sound of the owls, and only our night vision to guide us. No previous canoeing experience required.
6th April, 7th April and the 13th of April
Gin Festival Torquay – The UK’s first, biggest and best gin festival is making a visit to Torquay and we’re bringing an enormous variety of different gins with us! As well as the opportunity to try a huge variety of gins from all over the world, (including exclusive gins you won’t see anywhere else) there will be live music, great food and a gin cocktail bar. There will also be gin masterclasses and the opportunity to meet gin distillers in person, try free samples and chat about their gin. Over 18’s only.
13th – 14th April
Grinagog Music Festival – Join us at a music and arts festival that celebrates creativity, diversity and hi-jinks. Set amongst Torquay’s breathtaking coastline and centred around the 800-year-old grounds of Torre Abbey; this is a place to immerse yourself in genre defining music, mind-blowing arts and memorable performances.
20th – 22nd April
May 2018
Salcombe Crab Festival – Salcombe brown crab is widely regarded as the finest crab in the world – certainly deserving of its own festival! Crabfest is not just an excellent opportunity for seafood lovers to get together and crack open some fine tasting crabs. More than that, Crabfest is a vibrant showcase for the local fishing, food, drink and tourism industries at the heart of our unique area.
6th May
Dart Music Festival – Over 100 performances, spanning almost every musical genre. Based at venues throughout the town: pubs, churches, restaurants, in the open air – and it’s all FREE.
11th – 13th May
Exmouth Festival – A great week of family entertainment awaits at the annual Exmouth Festival.Live music, arts & crafts, children’s activities, food & drink stalls, bar, circus skills, art trail, fairground. Exmouth Festival takes place at various location about town including Imperial REC, Manor Gardens, The Strand, Ocean and the Art Trail.
25th May – 3rd June
Welly Beer Festival – Creeks End Pub in Kingsbridge are hosting a Devon beer, cider, gin tasting and live music event. It all helps to raise funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease.
27th May
Dartington Food Fair – Celebrate the very best of Devon’s thriving food and drink community, with an emphasis on local, sustainable produce.
27th – 28th May
June 2018
Kingsbridge Food & Music Festival – Join the party in Kingsbridge for all the locals and visitors alike! Celebrate the eclectic mix of incredible tastes and sounds that originate from the area. Offering a diverse range of culinary, acoustic treats and a Kid Zone which provides free work shops, crafts, outdoor activities, face painting and a bouncy castle!
1st – 3rd June
Lemonfest – This Newton Abbot festival taking place for the 7th year running – hosts an array of top local, national, and international DJs and bands across its six diverse stages of music.
8th – 9th June
The Contemporary Craft Festival – Bringing together 200 makers of contemporary craft including award winning silversmiths, potters, furniture makers, textile artists, glass makers, jewellery, 3D printing and even surfboards. Families can enjoy the Children’s Craft tent with live music and a wide variety of great street food. The Talk Tipi returns with talks about differing aspects of craft plus workshops and craft demonstrations.
8th – 10th June
Dartmouth Art & Craft Weekend – Dartmouth Art & Craft weekend returns for the 15th year in aid of Children’s Hospice South West. Come along and enjoy watching, engaging and purchasing from local artists, musical performances and refreshments all along the idyllic River Dart.
23rd – 24th June
July 2018
Way With Words Festival – A vibrant and joyful 10-day event, a chance for those who read books to meet those who write them. The setting is glorious, the atmosphere is invigorating. People come together in spectacular surroundings to share the pleasure and power of language and ideas.
7th – 17th July
Kingsbeer Festival – The 4th annual Kingsbeer Festival which offers over 60 kinds of beer, ales and ciders to sample all sourced from around the UK (wines and soft drinks available too!). Enjoy the live music, BBQ and happy atmosphere!
13th – 15th July
Kingsbridge Fair Week – An action packed week which sees the Fun Fair roll in to town and a programme of events, and live music on the town square and in other venues across the town. Starting with the crowning of the new Fair Queen, there follows and evening of fireworks, five-a-side football, teddy bears picnic, three-legged race, big quiz, boules, dog show plus a raft race and crab catching competitions. The week closes with a colourful carnival procession and lantern parade.
21st – 28th July
Dartmouth Shakespeare Week – The Inn Theatre Company presents Dartmouth Shakespeare Week. This year they will be performing The Bard at Dartmouth Castle – not to be missed!
24th – 28th July
August 2018
Shaldon Water Carnival – Somewhere between a carnival and a regatta, the Shaldon Water Carnival provides a day of creative explosions, colourful entertainment and nautical brilliance.
4th August
Woofstock – Woofstock UK is a festival by dogs for dogs – a family friendly day out. The main arena will host dog shows with classes for example “waggiest tail”, “best in show”, “golden oldie”, and many more. There will also be an agility course for dogs, demonstrations and much much more. Enjoy live music, food and drink stalls. For the dogs there is a chill out zone, doggy icecream and even doggy massage. Tickets are wristbands so you can come and go throughout the day and walk a few minutes into the town. Dogs get tickets too which are biscuits at the gate.
4th August
Salcombe Regatta – The Salcombe Town Regatta will be regaling visitors and local residents alike with a typically packed programme of fun and festivities. From sandcastle competitions to the harbour swim, it’s all an opportunity for salty seaside fun.
11th – 18th August
South Hams Vintage Machinery Rally – Exhibiting heritage with exhibits from days gone by including tractors and implements, commercial vehicles, motorbikes, cars, steam engines and horse drawn ploughs. Enjoy traditional craft marquee, fully licensed bar, children’s entertainer, birds of prey, tractor and trailer rides, bouncy castle, donkey Rides and more!
11th – 12th August
Hope Cove Weekend – Good old fashioned family fun from children’s races to family sandcastle competitions, live music, food and drink.
24th – 27th August
September 2018
Kingsbridge Show – Wander in and out of the tents admiring the entries in Horticulture, Floral Art, Homecraft and Domestic Pets. Outside witness the showing and judging of Horses, Cattle, Sheep and more, then watch the Grand Parade for the results. In addition to this there are over 100 trade stands, 70 craft stands, and a whole tent filled with local food and drink goodies. The children’s pets corner, bouncy castle and display of vintage and modern tractors will keep little ones entertained while adults can enjoy live folk style music and a licensed bar whilst admiring the display of classic cars.
1st September
Devon Open Studios 2018 – Devon Open Studios is an exceptional chance for the public to enjoy art at its origin. A cornucopia of art will be on offer across Devon when resident artists and artisans open their studios to sell their individual artworks to the public this September. This FREE event features work by over 200 artists in over 142 venues across the county of Devon.
8th – 23rd September
Dadfest – The only festival in the UK just for dads and children. Learn bushcraft skills , silly science , den-building , campfires, songs & stories. Enjoy an art & craft tent , farm walk, Official World Dad Dancing Championship and so much more!
14th – 16th September
Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival – Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival features inspiring talks, readings and conversations with talented authors, scientists, playwrights, historians, broadcasters, economists, comedians and rising literary stars.
19th – 23rd September
Email: southhamsholidays@southhamsholidays.co.uk Phone: 0800 093 5065