As you’d expect, there are loads of Events, Festivals and Attractions to visit in South Devon throughout 2012.

Want to know What’s On in South Devon?

Scroll down to check monthly events.

February 2012

11-19 February, Animated Exeter

Animated Exeter is an annual festival initiated in 1999 and developed by Exeter City Council. With an audience of around 15,000, Animated Exeter is now the premier animation festival in the South West.
LINK: www.animatedexeter.co.uk

March 2012

10 March, Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts

On 10 March Dartmoor will host the Moretonhampstead Festival of Food, Drink and the Arts with guest chef Michael Caines doing demos, plus live music and 100 stalls offering a taste of the very best of local food and drink as well as some fantastic arts and craft displays.
LINK: www.moretonfestival.com

April 2012

13-15 April, Exeter Festival of South West Food and Drink

Northernhay Gardens and Exeter Castle Courtyard will play host to the South West’s largest Food and Drink Festival. An annual event held in the centre of Exeter. Taking place over three days, the Festival also includes two evening Festival After Dark Events featuring live music, chef demos and a great atmosphere.

The 2011 festival attracted more than 15,000 visitors, with people flocking to Exeter to indulge in top-notch South West food and drink, see national TV celebrities, and to learn from the many cookery demonstrations and workshops. 2012 promises even more!
LINK: www.exeterfoodanddrinkfestival.co.uk

May 2012

5-6 May, Brixham Pirate and Shanty Festival

The 4th annual Brixham and Sea Shanty Festival is a swashbuckling event lasting for an entire weekend, including competitions, yummy food, great themed entertainment and a chance to dig out that hat and eye patch (and don’t forget the parrot!).
LINK: www.brixhampiratefestival.co.uk

4, 5 & 6 May, Paignton Bike Festival

The countdown to the BMAD Paignton Bike Festival has begun! The festival takes place on the weekend of 4, 5 & 6 May, 2011, lasting for three days. The Paignton Bike Festival is organised by the Bikers Make A Difference who give the proceeds from the event to the disabled children of Torbay, Devon Air Ambulance and St John’s too.

The Paignton Bike Festival 2012 line-up will have three days of live music, stunt riders, displays, competitions and plenty of motorbike action all weekend.
LINK: www.bmad.co.uk

28 May – 4 June, Brixham Heritage Festival

The Brixham Heritage Festival is a unique, eight day event with mostly free activities suitable for residents and visitors alike, young and old. Includes childrens entertainment, music, competitions, dancing and singing, morris dancing and much more.
LINK: www.brixhamheritagefestival.co.uk

June 2011

1-3 June, Topsham Food Festival

An evening of local music, food and community on Topsham Quay. One of the aims of the Festival is to highlight Topsham as an outstanding food and drink destination as well as to celebrate our unique and special community spirit.
LINK: www.topshamfoodfestival.org.uk

Nello’s Longest Table at Topsham Food Festival 2010

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1, 2 & 3 June, Ashburton Blues Festival

This year’s Festival promises to be another one to remember. Headline acts include: Eric Bibb, Elkie Brooks, and Andy Fairweather Low.
LINK: www.ashburtonbluesfestival.co.uk

15-24 June, Babbacombe Festival | Torquay

Take a look at the pictures from previous years on www.babbacombe.org and keep an eye on it as the programme for 2012 develops. It all kicks off with the Babbacombe Fayre as usual on the third Wednesday of June, and features Dave Hanbury’s fabulous charity event ‘Fish and Chips’ on the Downs with entertainment and activities all day long.
LINK: www.babbacombe.org

16 June, Brixham Trawler Race

This quirky race in June is when the modern working fleet lets its hair down. Skippers dress the boats with bunting and battle it out on a two-lap course around Tor Bay.
LINK: Brixham Trawler Race

22-24 June, Teignmouth Folk Festival

Folk festival in Teignmouth with numerous acts over three days with a fantastic atmosphere.
LINK: www.teignmouthfolk.co.uk

24 June, Torbay Half Marathon | Paignton & Torquay

The 20th running of this very popular seaside event; with demand for places steadily growing our race entry limit for 2012 will be 2000 runners. Early entry to this event is advised.
LINK: www.torbayhalfmarathon.co.uk

JULY 2011

6-16 July, Ways With Words Festival

A major event in the national literary calendar, held in the stunning surrounds of the Dartington Hall Estate, near Totnes.
Tel: 01803 867373
LINK: www.wayswithwords.co.uk

20-21 July, Exeter Craft Festival

The Craft Festival will be held on Exeter’s Cathedral Green.
LINK: www.exetercraftfestival.co.uk

29 July, Pedal Car Grand Prix | Torquay

Watch the very competitive pedal car teams all striving to win top trophies in this 2 hour endurance race using nothing but ther own strength and fitness!
Running along side this will be an arts and craft fayre, live music, demontrations including Belly Dancing.
10am – 4.30pm, Torre Abbey Meadows, Seafront, Torquay.

T.B.C. July, Kingswear Regatta

Two days of rowing races in Waterhead Creek at the 5th annual Kingswear Regatta. This event is by no means new – as the first Kingswear Regatta took place in 1860 but seemed to fade away at the time of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee and did not re-appear until 2006. In the brief four year history of the new Regatta an amazing £16,000 has been raised and distributed to local charities and organisations.
LINK: www.kingswearregatta.co.uk

T.B.C. July, Pride Torbay

Pride Torbay is Torquay’s annual gay pride event. As always, the programme does its best to exploit Torquay’s seaside setting, with beach picnics, pool parties and boat trips all scheduled. And if the weather’s lacklustre, take cover under the pink-coloured big top and watch outrageous circus acts perform at Cirque Du So Gay!
LINK: www.pridetorbay.org

29 July, Totnes & District Agricultural Show

One day Agricultural Show, Cattle, Sheep, un-affiliated Show Jumping. Food Hall, 70 Trade Stands, Craft marquee, Rabbits, Poultry, Main Ring events, Grand Parade.
LINK: www.totnesshow.com

August 2011

30 July – 5 August, South Devon Crab Festival

The 2012 South Devon Crab Festival will run from 30 July to 5 August. Crab related events will be running throughout the week, finishing with the Shaldon Water Carnival on 4 August and the Crab Street Party on 5 August.
LINK: www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/south-devon-crab

Mitch Tonks talks about South Devon Crab Festival 2011

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4 August, Shaldon Water Carnival

We’ve got carnivals, and we’ve got regattas. But only in South Devon can you find a crazy, fun filled combination of the two, and it’s a great attraction for the whole family. Shaldon Water Carnival is a ridiculously silly day of fun and revelry that’s been going strong for 50 years.
LINK: http://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk//shaldon-water-carnival/

7-11 August, Dartmouth Shakespeare Week

The Inn Theatre Company is proud to present Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare in the open air at Dartmouth Castle. Tickets from Dartmouth Tourist Information Centre – tel: 01803 834224
LINK: www.theinntheatrecompany.co.uk

3-10 August, Sidmouth Folk Week

With over 600 events to choose from, Sidmouth Folk Week is unique. If you’re new to Sidmouth, you’re in for a treat. Imagine a festival that fills a beautiful little Regency seaside town… music flooding out of every doorway, colourful dancing on the esplanade, concerts of all sizes in every imaginable venue, the best folk bands around…
LINK: www.sidmouthfolkweek.co.uk

11-19 August, Paignton Regatta

Paignton Regatta is a good old-fashioned week of traditional seaside fun, mainly taking place on Paignton Green.
LINK: paigntonregatta.blogspot.com

24-29 August, Torbay Week

One of the best sailing regattas on the South Coast. Taking place August 24 – 29 2012, organised by the combined Yacht and Sailing Clubs of Torbay. The setting couldn’t be better either, with the large, sheltered bay providing fantastic sailing conditions in a climate that is noted as being much warmer than the rest of the UK. Its horseshoe shape means lots of close-up spectating opportunities too. There is an immense amount of holiday accommodation available so book up early.
LINK: www.torbayweek.co.uk

26 August, Cowes-Torquay-Cowes Powerboat Race

The challenge is on… The holy grail for the world’s racing star crews is to win the 225 mile Cowes-Torquay-Cowes powerboat race!
LINK: www.cowes2012.co.uk

30, 31 August & 1 September, Dartmouth Royal Regatta

3 days of sailing events, rowing events, a tennis tournament and an air display make up this years Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. Dartmouth is a famous yachting centre with a long maritime history.
LINK: www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk

September 2011

T.B.C. September, Totnes Festival

A celebration of the hugely diverse range of events and activities that go on in and around this famous market town featuring music, the arts, performance, crafts, literature, fashion, film, food, ecology and alternative lifestyles
LINK: www.totnesfestival.com

1 September, Kingsbridge Show | South Devon

The last agricultural show in the region’s rural calendar, featuring livestock, entertainment, show jumping, craft, food and drink marquees.
LINK: www.kingsbridgeshow.co.uk

8 September, Ashburton Food & Drink Festival

10am – 4pm. Ashburton has long been known as a great place for food with Farmer’s markets, Deli’s, Restaurants, Wine Bars, Cafe’s, Butchers, Artisan Bakers, Fishmongers, Food shops, a Cookery School and some of Europe’s finest food producers on our doorstep.

With so much fabulous food and drink around we should celebrate it, and so 2012 sees the return of the Ashburton Food & Drink Festival.

On Saturday 8th September 2012, St. Lawrence Lane in the heart of Ashburton town centre will be closed to traffic for the day and over 40 exhibitors of local produce will line the street offerings the very best in local food & drink.

The event is FREE and will have something for everyone.

LINK: www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk/festival

T.B.C. September, Exeter Green Fair | Cathedral Green

10am – 4pm. Held every September the Exeter Green Fair is one of the region’s oldest environmental events and has now been running for over 25 years, celebrating sustainably produced food with up to 50 stalls selling everything from bread and broccoli to beef.
LINK: www.exetergreenparty.org.uk/greenfair

8 September, Fishstock Brixham 2012

Celebrate Brixham’s fishing and seafood heritage, with chefs’ demonstrations, cookery classes for children and a mix of musicians and entertainers that will delight everyone. One day event, 11am – 11pm.
LINK: www.fishstockbrixham.co.uk

9-16 September, Agatha Christie Festival | Torquay

Murder-mystery dinner dances, tea dances, river and sea cruises, talks, seminars, plays and films, and a classic car treasure hunt.
LINK: www.englishriviera.co.uk/agathachristie

11 September, Widecombe Fair | Widecombe in the Moor

First held in the 1850′s, Widecombe now attracts many thousands of visitors. The famous folk song recalls the story of Uncle Tom Cobley and his friends riding to Widecombe Fair on a grey mare. Needless to say, he and his faithful nag will be there again this year along with a range of animals and local produce.
LINK: www.widecombefair.com

21-23 September, Abbfest | Abbotskerswell

An annual three day ale and cider extravaganza held between Abbotskerswell and Ipplpen. Scores of Devon breweries take part each year, showcasing in excess of 120 ales and more than a dozen ciders. Live entertainment is laid on throughout the weekend and more than 60 Devon food and craft stalls provide the perfect place to find an early Christmas present.
LINK: www.abbfest.org

T.B.C. September, South Devon Walking Festival

Event featuring around 30 walks for all ages and abilities with some especially designed for families.
LINK: www.southdevonwalkingfestival.co.uk

October 2011

10 October, Tavistock Goose Fair | Tavistock

Market traders and showmen from all over the country come to town to celebrate this ancient Goose Fair dating back to the 12th Century and held every second Wednesday in October. The fair attracts market traders and showmen from all over the country. Stalls and side-shows are set up in the centre of the Town, and the adjacent roads are filed with over 200 traders.
LINK: www.visitdevon.co.uk/goosefair

26-28 October, Dartmouth Food Festival

Foodie extravaganza featuring celebrity chefs, parties, food markets, tasting shacks, demonstrations and special events. Three days of food heaven in Dartmouth plus a range of evening events in the week leading up, including food demos from Mitch Tonks, TV chef/author/restaurateur, Jane Baxter (Riverford Field Kitchen), Valentine Warner, Mark Hix, Tom Parker-Bowles and Dartmouth newcomer, Alan Murchison.
LINK: www.dartmouthfoodfestival.com

November 2011

5 November, Tar Barrel Rolling | Ottery St Mary

A traditional custom featuring 17 tar-soaked barrels which are lit and carried around the streets of the town. The true origin of the event is unclear but theories range attempts to ward off evil spirits, through to a signal to warn of the Spanish Armada. Event includes a funfair and a massive bonfire ignited on the banks of the River Otter.
LINK: www.otterytarbarrels.co.uk

16-18 November, Teignmouth Jazz Festival, South Devon

Hugely popular Jazz Festival featuring well know and highly regarded performers. Norma Winstone with be headlining this year’s Festival. Norma is a British jazz singer and lyricist whose career spans over forty years, in which time she has worked with most of her peers in British jazz.
LINK: www.teignmouthjazz.org