Events & Festivals In The Budleigh Salterton & Devon Area

 

February
Animated Exeter Festival: from the 13th to the 25th of Feb, Exeter hosts this festival of animation. Their website details the many events that comprise this week, with workshops, showings, competitions and classes. It conveniently coincides with schools week and there are tons of activities for children and families.

March
Vibraphonic: running from the 3rd to the 19th of March, this music festival covers everything from jazz to punk, hip/hop and blues, and is guaranteed to have something to suit every taste. You can find a detailed diary of events and concerts on their website.
Festival of Food & Drink: based in Exeter's Northernhay Gardens, this three day festival runs from the 31st of March to the 2nd of April. There are numerous stalls with the best foods of the South West, plus displays and cooking shows from top chefs.

April
Devon County Antiques Fair: held at the WestPoint centre on the 29th and 30th of April, this show also takes over WestPoint on a few weekends during this month, so it's worth checking the organisers website for specific dates.
Great West Run: this half-marathon takes place on the 30th of April. Whether you know someone participating, or just fancy watching at the finish line, you can see the website for more information on this run, and the others they organise.

May
Croquet Association Tournament: taking place on the 8th to 11th, the Budleigh Salterton mens and womens tournament provides some relaxing entertainment and you can find details of all the fixtures on the Associations website.
Budleigh Salterton Gala Week: from the 28th of May to the 5 of June with a week of stalls, events, shows and classes that take place in Budleigh Salterton, organised by the Lions Club for fundraising. Contact the town's Tourist Information for details on what goes on where.
Exmouth Festival: with an umbrella parade, concerts, sand-sculptures on the beach and visits from Exmouth's twinned town in Germany, the yearly festival is always buzzing. You can find details here.
Devon County Show: running from the 18th to the 20th of May, the County Show has a wide-ranging agricultural focus, but includes all kinds of displays and shows that are bound to entertain the whole family. You can find detailed listings of the events and shows here.

June
Appledore Arts Festival: a rich programme of exhibitions, events, residencies, educational projects and workshops involving everyone from internationally known artists to locally based craftspeople, through from the 1st to the 4th of June. You can find detailed information on their website here.
Totnes Book Fair: to be held on the 23rd of July, you can find a list of exhibitors here.

July
Exeter's Summer Festival: with a huge range of events surrounding the main festival running from the 7th to the 23rd of July, you can find details here.
National Senior Croquet Championships: based in Budleigh Salterton Croquet club and running from the 10th to the 15th of July, you can find full details and events timetables of all Championships here.
Branscombe Air Show: on the 27th of July in Branscombe.
Budleigh Festival: takes place from July 28th to August 5thand features all kinds of music events such as orchestra and choir recitals, cabaret, folk music, and many workshops and tutorials on all kinds of methods and instruments. You can find details here.

August
Honiton Agricultural Show: traditionally held on the first Thursday of August each year, this is a showcase for the best of local farming, crafts and skills. There are varied stands, displays and shows, with The West Of England Hound show hosted too. Find details on their website.
Sidmouth Folk Week: for some fantastic music of all kinds, from cultured recitals to hearty knees-up ceilidhs, this folk festival runs from the 4th to the 11 of August. Confirmation of concerts, and dates here.
Budstock Festival: Budleigh Salterton's own music festival which has been growing as the years go by, runs over the 5th and 6th of August and is completely free. Details here.
Beer Regatta Week: from the 7th to the 13th of August Beer hosts swimming races, barrel rolling, raft-building competitions, yaught races and lots of other fun things to take part in, or just watch.
South West Motorcycle Show: on the 26th and 27th of August at Exeter Westpoint arena, there are some fantastic stunt displays, bikes to view and Xtreme trials too. Details here.

September
Colyford Goose Fayre: revived in the 1980's and held every year since, on the Saturday nearest to Michaelmas. This fayre involves a fake goose auction, period costumes, shows and a parade. Details here.
Colyton Carnival Week: you can find more information on this week of fairs, parties and shows at the Colyton Website.
Chardstock Fair: a street fair held early on in September, with stalls and exhibits.

October
Beer Rhythm & Blues Festival: featuring performances throughout the area during this month, Beer festival has a fantastic atmosphere, and you can find more information here.
Off The Wall: Exeter's own festival of comedy, taking place from the 8th of this month and featuring shows, plays and much more. You can find information on their website here.

November
Ottery St Mary Tar Barrelling: an amazing annual event during which locals run through the night-time streets carrying burning tarred barrels over their shoulders. A great night out and a pretty fantastic thing to watch, you can find photos, videos and information on this site.
Bridgwater Carnivals: held around the 5th, these carnival are often graced by some floats and dancers from the London carnivals too, and turn out quite a spectacular spread of lights and music. You can find details here.
Kingsbridge Christmas Extravaganza: featuring illuminated floats, a circus, fireworks, stilt walkers, a falconry display and more, this event takes place around the 18th. You can normally find up to date plans for the next Extravaganza on this site.
Christmas Shopping Fayre: held at Westpoint arena, there are hundreds of stalls offering seasonal gifts and ideas. The show traditionally runs over the 25th to the 27th of this month, and you can find more information here.