Events & Festivals in East Devon in 2022


There’s plenty to do in East Devon with its beautiful coastline and countryside, villages and towns. If that is not enough to whet your appetite there is an abundance of events and festivals to bring you to the area. Events in East Devon in 2022 vary from art and culture, food and music festivals and run throughout the year.

Here’s a selection of what has been confirmed to date. Do keep checking individual websites for more detailed information, opening times and tickets.

Exhibitions 

In Focus: Tom Bailey, theatre-maker and director: 15 January to 5 March. The Thelma Hulbert Gallery, Honiton

An exhibition documenting the work and process of Bristol-based theatre maker Tom Bailey via his company Mechanical. His work explores human relationships with the changing planet, focusing on the changing relationships between human and non-human beings during the Anthropocene epoch.

It provides an insight into the performance and process to create ecological theatre work, from the rehearsal room to the landscapes of southwest England, to the Arctic Circle and Egyptian desert.

Check The Thelma Hulbert Gallery website for opening times and more information.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition: 11 February to 8 April. Seaton Tramway

On loan from London’s Natural History Museum, the Wildlife Photographer of the Year provides a global showcase of the natural world. The competition receives over 49,000 entries from all over the world and this exhibition shows the 99 winning images.

Expect exceptional images capturing animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breath-taking diversity and fragility of the natural world.

Tickets can be bought from the Seaton Tramway website.

treetop douc in foliage

Treetop douc by Arshdeep Singh (India), Highly Commended in the 11-14 years category, Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Events

Guided Bird Watching on the River Exe: Stuart Line Cruises: 4 November to 16 March

The River Exe is a RAMSAR Site of Special Scientific Interest, internationally recognised for its prolific migratory bird life during winter. These award-winning wildlife cruises feature leading local ornithologists Dave Smallshire and Derek Carter who will guide you with an informative live commentary. 

As you travel up the river you will learn all about the species, habitat and behaviours of the thousands of birds on the Exe Estuary and East Devon Coast. It’s an excellent way to enjoy stunning winter scenery and watch the many varieties of birds who choose to winter on the River Exe.

The cruise lasts 3 hours long and is not suitable for small children.

Running on selected dates and times until 16 March, the cruise can be booked via the Stuart Line Cruises website.

Bird Watching Tram: Seaton Tramway: 26 February to 20 August

This bird watching trip travels through two nature reserves, Seaton Marshes and Colyford Common, next to the River Axe estuary, host to an ever-changing selection of birds throughout the seasons.

During the two-hour trip, you’re likely to see between 30 and 50 different species of bird, guided by local experts Steve Waite and Donald Campbell.

Unless the weather is poor the open-top trams are used to give the best view. It’s recommended to bring warm, waterproof clothing as the trams are particularly exposed to the elements along the river.

Departing from Seaton Station the Seaton Tramway website has details of specific dates and times and how to purchase tickets. 

Festivals

Sidmouth International Jazz & Blues Festival:  1 June to  5 June

The festival programme will include several exceptional intimate headline concerts at Sidmouth Parish church with established and respected Jazz and Blues artists. There are plans to include a range of music workshops and masterclasses, free street music at various locations, music at local venues, and outdoor music staged events.

Announcements of specific artists will be made soon. Check the Sidmouth Jazz & Blues Festival website for further updates and information.

men playing musical instruments

A favour of what to expect at the Sidmouth Jazz & Blues Festival. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

Devon County Show: 30 June to 2 July. Westpoint, Exeter

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.

For up to date information visit Devon County Show

Yarty Party: 15 July to 17 July: Axminster

This music festival has three music stages – Big Top Wizard Stage, The Dave and The Busk Stop – plus loads of free workshops, entertainment, food stalls, bar and cocktail bar.

There’s camping and caravanning onsite for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. 

Keep abreast with the latest announcements on the Yarty Party website.

Sidmouth Folk Festival: 29 July to 5 August

This week-long festival offers a diverse line-up of events for 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.

In 2022 Kate Rusby, The Spooky Men’s Chorale, Eddi Reader and Spiers & Boden are among the established names booked. In addition, there’s the best of Irish tradition bearers Matt Cranitch & Jackie Daly, beacons of future folk Brighde Chaimbeul, Jack Rutter, Rosie Hood, and Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne plus showstopping songwriting icon Grace Petrie.

Super Early Bird Booking for All Festival Seasons, camping tickets, and pre-festival events are on sale now.

Beer Regatta: 13 August to 19 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.

Keep abreast via the website to see what’s in store at the 2022 Beer Regatta. 

Live In Devon Music Festival: 2 September to 4 September. Imperial Recreation Ground, Exmouth

This three-evening live music event promises to attract some of the hottest UK artists. McFly has already been announced as one of the headline acts for Saturday 3 September.

Further headline acts will be announced over the next few months.

Tickets are already available for McFly and tickets for the other shows will go on sale once the headline acts have been announced.

You can also keep up to date with announcements via social media channels: Facebook: @liveinexmouth; Twitter: @LCCLiveEvents; Instagram: @lccliveevents

Ottery Food Festival: 3 September. Ottery St Mary

This annual celebration of food and drink in the immediate area around Ottery St Mary offers something for all ages. A free day of foodie demonstrations, workshops, street market, street food, entertainment and activities aimed at children.

A pre-festival night is jam-packed with food, drink and music.

Keep up to date via the organisation’s Facebook Page: @OtteryStMaryFoodFamiliesFestival

Taste East Devon: 3 September to 18 September, locations around East Devon

After a successful first year, the Taste East Devon food festival will be back bigger and better in 2022. Founder members included PIG-at Combe, Darts Farm, Otter Brewery, Deer Park Country House, River Cottage, East Devon AONB, the Donkey Sanctuary, Mazzard Farm, Jack in the Green, Michael Caines and Mitch Tonks.

Expect foodie tours and tastings, workshops aimed at all ages, food demonstrations and much, much more.

Check the Taste East Devon website and social channels – Instagram: @tasteeastdevon and Facebook: @TasteEastDevon for the latest updates. 

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival logo

Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival: 14 September to 18 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.

There will be lively panel events, workshops for writers and crafters, and lots of events for the families to enjoy.

You can find out who will be appearing in 2022 via the Budleigh Salterton Literary Festival website. 

 

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.


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