Summer Events in Devon

When people think of Devon in the summer, they think of the beach – and we have plenty of those. Click here for our beach highlights. However, we also have lots of other interesting things to do. If you’re from a big city, you may never have been to an agricultural or county show. Kids and adults alike love seeing the tractors and farm animals. We are also lucky enough to have film festivals, music festivals, fireworks, regattas and all sorts to keep you interested during the summer months. This is our run down of the highlights close to Melrose Cottage.

Chagford Film Festival

The Chagford Film Festival is an annual film festival held in the picturesque town of Chagford, Devon. We love that the festival showcases a variety of films, including independent films, documentaries, and classic movies, as well as hosting talks, workshops, and panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals. You will be at the festival with film enthusiasts from around the world. We can highly recommend this unique opportunity to engage with cinema in a charming rural setting.

Chagstock Music Festival

Chagstock is a music festival held in Chagford. You will find a mix of local and national acts across various genres including rock, folk, and indie. The festival has been held annually since 2007 and is held in late July or early August. The festival also includes food, drink and art and craft stalls. You will enjoy the family entertainment and rather than camping, how about staying in style at Melrose Cottage? You will only need to take a short drive to the festival from us, which takes place in a beautiful location in the heart of Devon. We love its friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Chagstock is also a community-based festival which supports local charities and good causes.

The British Fireworks Championship

The British Firework Championships held over two nights in the middle of August on Plymouth Hoe. You will love this dazzling annual event that pits professional fireworks companies against each other to determine the best display. We can’t believe that it is watched by over 200,000 spectators each year, it’s an explosive celebration not to be missed!

Dartmouth Royal Regatta

The Dartmouth Regatta is an annual event held in the historic town of Dartmouth. The regatta features a range of competitive and recreational water-based events, including sailing, rowing, steamboat rally, Kontiki raft race, coronation river parade, as well as, live music, spectacular fireworks display and other entertainment onshore. The event attracts visitors from all over the world and provides a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant maritime culture and heritage of Dartmouth.

Exmouth Festival

The Exmouth Festival is an annual arts and culture festival held in July in the coastal town of Exmouth. The festival features a range of music performances, dance shows, circus performances, and other artistic events, including workshops and talks. You can attend the festival free of charge. Local and national artists and performers provide a unique opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the arts in a vibrant seaside setting.

The Devon County Show

The Devon County Show is an agricultural show held every May at the Westpoint Arena and Showground near Exeter. You can explore the best of the Devon’s farming, food, and rural life. We love the range of competitive events, including livestock shows, dog shows, and equestrian events. You will also find plenty of children’s activities, live music, exhibits and displays of locally produced food, arts, and crafts. My personal favourite is that many of the local artisan food and drink producers (gin, cheese, you name it!) will offer you tasters before you buy their artisan produce. The Devon County Show provides you with a unique opportunity to experience the agricultural heritage and culture of Devon.

Okehampton Show

The Okehampton Show is a wonderful agricultural show which celebrates farming life and is held annually in August on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park near Okehampton. We love this show, mainly because it is so local to Melrose Cottage. You will find prize-winning animals, local food and drinks producers, shopping, displays, children’s entertainment, and more. Our favourite is the beekeeping tent – if it isn’t too hot you might be able to see real bees in a display hive! You can arrive from 9am and the show runs until 5pm. 

Sidmouth Folk Festival

The Sidmouth Folk Festival is an annual music festival held every August in the seaside town of Sidmouth. The festival features a diverse range of folk music performances, including traditional and contemporary acts from around the world. You will also love the dance performances, storytelling sessions, and workshops. Visitors can delight in a fantastic range of street food and drink producers, arts and crafts vendors. You should visit the Sidmouth Folk Festival if you want to enjoy a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant and inclusive world of folk music and culture.