If you’re thinking about visiting East Devon why not combine it with one of the numerous festivals or events held each year? And once you’re here you can explore East Devon’s beautiful coastline, countryside, villages, and towns.
Events in East Devon in 2023 vary from art and culture to food and music festivals. Here’s a selection of what has been confirmed to date. Do keep checking individual websites for more detailed information and when tickets go on sale.
1. Devon Big Weekend, Escot Park: 12-14 May
2. Devon County Show: 18 – 20 May
3. Sidmouth Jazz Festival: 25-29 May
4. Foodies Festival, Escot Park, Exeter: 16-18 June
5. Budleigh Music Festival: 30 June – 8 July
6. Exmouth Music Festival: 28-31 July
7. Sidmouth Folk Festival: 4-11 August
8. Beer Regatta: 12-18 August
9. Beautiful Days, Escot Park, Exeter: 18-20 August
10. Sidmouth Air Show: 25 August
11. Taste East Devon: 9-24 September
12. Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival: 20-24 September
East Devon Festivals: 2023
1. Devon Big Weekend, Escot Park: 12-14 May
Devon’s big weekend is suitable for all ages. Chart-topping DJs get the party started on Friday followed by music over the weekend. Acts confirmed so far include Ella Henderson, Alexandra Burke, Chip, Artful Dodger, Nathan Dawe, Tincy Stryder, and Phats & Small.
In addition, there’s an outdoor cinema, classic car show, fun fair, circus tent, kid’ disco arena, and fireworks. Everything to keep the family entertained.
Early-bird tickets are available to buy now.
2. Devon County Show: 18 – 20 May
Run by The Devon County Agricultural Association, expect a packed programme of entertainment in the Main Arena, livestock competitions, a food fair offering the most mouth-watering food and drink available in the southwest, and a crafts and gardens pavilion home to an array of craft stands, a floral art competition, home baking competitions, and flower and gardening stands.
3. Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival: 25-29 May
After a successful first year plans are well underway for the 2023 Sidmouth International Jazz and Blues Festival. Expect world-class headline concerts, a diverse range of free music performances, and local fringe events, including workshops and collaborations with community groups. Music styles include jazz, blues, roots, soul, RnB, funk, Latin, and Cuban.
Sign up for the festival’s newsletter to receive the latest updates and early bird ticket offers.
4. Foodies Festival, Escot Park, Exeter: 16-18 June
Described as a celebration of top chefs, tasty food, delicious drinks, and live music. You can watch MasterChef Champions, Michelin-starred and top local chefs cooking their signature summer recipes, learn how to make cakes in the Cake & Bake theatre, sample new wine, champagnes, and cocktails in the Drinks theatre, and tuck into delicious street food from around the world.
Plus there’s live music. Headliners confirmed include Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Fleur East, and Scouting for Girls.
Early bird tickets are now available.
5. Budleigh Music Festival: 30 June – 8 July
You can expect a mix of internationally acclaimed performers and young musicians at the Budleigh Music Festival. There’ll be lunchtime and evening concerts showcasing spectacular music across many genres, played by musicians from diverse backgrounds.
Tickets go on sale in the Spring.
There are lunchtime and evening concerts during the Budleigh Music Festival
6. Exmouth Music Festival: 28-31 July
This free festival of the arts takes place across the seaside town of Exmouth. You can wander from film to music, through literature, performance, and craft. Fuel your imagination and be a part of something unexpected.
Keep an eye out for programme announcements in early 2023.
7. Sidmouth Folk Festival: 4-11 August
This week-long festival offers a diverse line-up of events all along the seafront, streets, and venues in Sidmouth. There’s a mix of full-season tickets to day passes available to enjoy headline shows and small intimate events. The organisers promise plenty of singing, dancing, playing, and participatory fun.
8. Beer Regatta: 12-18 August
Expect the usual angling, rowing, canoeing, Lugger, and dinghy racing out in the bay, a Regatta quiz, craft fair, and a fireworks display to end off the Regatta week.
9. Beautiful Days, Escot Park, Exeter: 18-20 August
New friends and old will be welcomed for the 20th anniversary of Beautiful Days, the Levellers’ family music festival. Alongside the music, there will be a seated theatre tent, site art installations, a children’s area, a healing village, a walkabout theatre, folk sessions, real ale bars, and a selection of food and craft stalls.
News on the 2023 line-up is expected soon. Tickets are available now.
Beautiful Days is celebrating its 20th Anniversary in 2023
10. Sidmouth Air Show: 25 August
The Sidmouth Regatta Airshow will return on 25 August as part of the Bank Holiday Regatta weekend, with the Red Arrows once again invited.
11. Taste East Devon: 9-24 September
Taste East Devon showcases the best the region has to offer as renowned producers, chefs, restaurants, and venues join forces in this celebration of culinary delights. Expect foodie tours and tastings, workshops aimed at all ages, food demonstrations, and much, much more at venues all around East Devon.
12. Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival: 20-24 September
This five-day event is well and truly established in the literary calendar featuring some of the most exciting writers, thinkers, experts, and opinion formers. Expect various writers to watch, including fiction, biography, history, travel, nature writing, and science.
There will be lively panel events, workshops for writers and crafters, and lots of events for the families to enjoy.
There are plenty of books to find out about at the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival
This is just a taster of the events and festivals you can expect when you come to visit East Devon. Do keep an eye on our Events page which we regularly update.
If you’re planning to attend an event or festival why not extend your visit and make a long weekend or week of it? We’ve plenty of inspiration on our Stay, Visit and Eat pages.
